Imagine a client with almost limitless resources and in dire need of innovative changes. Would there be a limit to your creative endeavors?
Well, buckle up and get ready for an adventure because the creative nirvana is not that far. This client does exist! Who is he?
Uncle Sam, Uncle Francois and Uncle Charles – if you don’t get it, we are talking about e-government!
Really?
Yes. The Public enterprise amasses and controls around 40% of world GDP and 15-20% of human capital. Despite the colossus might, our uncles are still juggling in a thin rope (didn’t quite understand this sentence). Government dissatisfaction is at an all time high, voter turnout is negatively trending and social unrest is becoming way too common. Not to speak about the cost-effectiveness of their services – yes, there is some.
It’s because of the existence of this situation that we share with you today:
The 3 greatest public sector initiatives of the past years hoping they will spur a neurochemical cataract of ideas in your brain. So without further ado, welcome:
1. International – LiquidFeedback
Aristotle once feared that in a democratic system the less educated majority would seize control and journey the political vessel to the abyss –tyranny of the majority he called it. With LiquidFeedback on our side, Aristotle has nothing to fear. Liquidfeedback, a German open source software incorporates the benefits of direct democracy with the benefits of a technocratic structure.
How? It has created an interactive platform where group members initiate, vote and delegate according to expertise. The result, reduced dissonance between objective and subjective choices and as well as optimum decision-making. Yes, pretty impressive. Best of all, the platform is already in circulation. Political parties in Germany, Iceland, Spain and Argentina are already using similar platforms to connect themselves to the citizenry.
2. Singapore – Direct to agent call routing
This is a personal favorite, an app that has restored my faith as a technophile. The nightmare began a few decades ago when Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) became the prevailing call centre paradigm. After hours of wasted time and few headaches later – who chooses that call waiting music – the nightmare seems to be coming to an end. The Singaporean government – ranked 3rd in the UN e-Government index – has invented an app that allows direct to agent call routing A.K.A. time-saver.
How is this possible? The government has put at the disposal of the citizens an app that allows citizens to request assistance via an app. Once the request for assistance is introduced, the app classifies the request and notifies the appropriate official within the bureau. Once the official is available, the app notifies the requester and a direct channel of communication begins.
3. MyGov participation – India
At Bizzvenue we believe in the power of crowd sourcing. Why? Because we believe in you! It’s this belief that pushes us to congratulate and end our list with a crowd sourcing initiative launched by the biggest democracy, India.
So what is the initiative about? As the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi tweeted:
“it’s a site that blends technology and peoples power for India’s growth”
The deal goes as follows. Citizens register to the site and take part in online forums and volunteer to participate in public sector projects. In return the government implements the viable initiatives and remunerates the top initiatives. Not bad?
Now, to end our quick debrief on e-Government, two great Ted Talks on the game:
Photo courtesy of Nicolas Raymond @Flickr
