30th October, 12:30 - 14:00 GMT

About this event

Civil service is fast changing. Traditionally, public servants have been desk-based, hidden from view, fielding complaints and creating policy frameworks that seem detached from local communities and their lived experiences. Through the changing of generations and the nature of social issues and crises today, civil servants are moving away from reactive roles and thinking about their work in entirely different ways.

Many public service innovators are thinking creatively, connecting stakeholders, asking critical questions, seeking out peers outside of their immediate sector or context. But it is no easy task ahead and there is a long way to go; it may feel like a struggle to create the right kind of framework that lets the unusual activity and approach grow into something more usual. But by exchanging questions, ideas and next steps, and learning from other unusual suspects in public service innovation, we can find full energy and commitment for the road ahead.

Key Questions:

• How do you stimulate innovation in local government context? 

• How can we work more effectively with citizens and other stakeholders?

• How can we convince the main actors that innovative contributions to their city are possible and valuable?

• What changes if we see our role primarily as more of a facilitator and enabler of local action and positive change rooted in communities?

If you are interested in being a part of this conversation, please send some information about your work and interest in the session to josiane@socialinnovationexchange.org.