The annual Congregation Un-conference is set to attract 100 attendees debating, discussing, and sharing their vision of the ‘The Future’ in Cong village, from Friday November 25 to Sunday November 27.
This year’s event incorporates three days starting with a series of talks in Ashford Castle on ‘The Past Meets the Present’. John Mulligan from Ancestry.com will talk about using DNA analysis to trace your ancestors, Stephen Howell will discuss ‘Bringing History to Life with Digital Puppetry’, John Tierney from Historic Graves will present the ‘Future of Experiences’, while Gar Mac Críosta, MindRising, will share his use of Mindcraft in ‘The Future of Learning and the Learning of Futures’.
The Saturday unconference will see all attendees present their submission on their vision of the future spread across as wide spectrum of sector and interests, from the future of farming, education, play, and work, through to artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality. The all-day unconference will take place in eight venues in Cong spread over four sessions, with three presentations at each huddle over tea/coffee.
The festival will finish with guided archaeology tours of historic sites in the Cong area, from ancient battle ground to burial cairns.
While the attendees are debating the future, their children will be attending Lego robotics and Makey Makey electronic workshops in the Crossroads Community Centre.
Entry to the festival is via a 600-plus word submission that is posted in advance on www.congregation.ie, and submissions will be accepted up to November 23. Those interested in attending should summit their vision of the future through www.congregation.ie
Following the unconference on the Saturday night, attendees will be treated to a bodhran workshop where they will learn to play the instrument and participate in a music jam.
“Congregation is a great opportunity for anyone with a curious mind who wish to hear and share a perspective of what the future holds for us," said organiser Eoin Kennedy. "There is no charge but rather people pay with their insights. Outside of the incredible array of insights during the day and informal sharing, people get to meet and connect at a much deeper level than normal with specially designed networking opportunities.”
Following the conference a full ebook will be created. The free ebooks from 2013, 2014, and 2015 are available to download at www.congregation.ie/ebook-download html
The event is sponsored by Mayo.ie, Bank of Ireland, Blacknight, and MKC Communications.
