First there was foo camp, a no-structure, no plan, yet invite only, tent on the lawns, hacker event hosted by publisher uber geek Tim O'Reilly.

Then there was barcamp, an international network of unconferences -- open, participatory workshop-events, whose content was provided by participants.

On 21 September, we will get an at-hoc, un-conference dedicated to the government services for people to share and learn in an open environment. Hopefully, GovCamp Brussels will feature the same intensity in discussions, demos and interaction from attendees.

Believe it or not, this is an initiative by the Belgian Federal Government, Federal Public Service Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Directorate General External Communications. That's right a un-hinged, un-agendafied, un-copyrighted, and un-patented conference sponsored by a democratic government.

While no one in the US has taken the lead and started planning a US GovCamp, the League of Technical Voters has started planning a lockin Code-A-Thon to improve governmental policies and use of technical resources. According to the League, "we believe that many of the current problems have more to do with the lack of education than partisan issues."

On a side-note, if anyone wants to formulate a US GovCamp - count me in!