Session
UNESCO
Prateek Sibal, Programme Specialist, UNESCO
Mei Jie Chen, Trainee, UNESCO
Tatevik
Grigoryan
, Associate Programme Specialist, Communication and Information, UNESCO
Tatevik Grigoryan, Associate Programme Specialist, Communication and Information, UNESCO
Prateek Sibal, Programme Specialist, UNESCO
Mei Jie Chen, Trainee, UNESCO
Targets: The Lightening Talk brings key insights on what successful digital transformation looks like and addresses SDG 16.6 and 16.7 by underlining the role of transparency, accountability and innovation in laying the foundations for strong institutions. The talk will showcase how technology can be used to improve public participation in governments.
The session will be delivered in a Ted style talk with the speaker using a mix of audio-visual tools to engage the audience on the theme of public sector digital transformation. There will be time for a short Q&A at the end of the talk.
The Lightening Talk will distill ten insights from public sector digital transformation programmes. It will raise the following questions: - Why some public sector organisations succeed and some fail in their digital transformation efforts? - What blocks and supports innovation in the public sector? The talk is informed by UNESCO's AI and Digital Transformation Competency Framework and will draw on the lessons learnt from the implementation of digital transformation capacity building initiatives in countries across Asia and Africa.
1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? Adequate time will be allocated for online and onsite participants to take the floor during the Q&A. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? The Ted style talk will ensure engagement of both online and onsite participants. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. Given the format of a lightening talk no special tools will be used for interaction.
Report
Leadership is essential: Successful government digital transformation must begin with strong leadership and commitment from the top.
Data-driven transformation: Data is the foundation of effective digital transformation efforts, emphasizing its critical role in decision-making and implementation.
Skilled workforce matters: Building a capable and well-trained workforce is crucial to achieving digital transformation goals.
Join UNESCO’s upcoming Conference on AI and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector at its headquarters in Paris to explore the role of AI in public sector capacity building and collaborate with global stakeholders.
The session provided a comprehensive overview of key insights and actionable steps for achieving government digital transformation success. Drawing on years of experience in capacity building for civil servants, the presentation emphasized the importance of leadership, data, workforce development, and collaboration with various stakeholders. It also introduced valuable resources and upcoming initiatives to support governments in their digital transformation journeys.
Key Insights
The presentation was structured into three foundational principles followed by seven concrete steps:
Foundational Principles
- Change Must Start from the Top: Leadership commitment is critical for driving digital transformation as a holistic process rather than isolated IT upgrades. Leaders must understand and champion the transformation journey.
- It All Boils Down to Data: Data serves as the backbone of digital transformation. Investments in IT infrastructure, accessible datasets, and robust data governance are essential.
- A Capable Workforce Is Key: Civil servants must be equipped with the necessary digital, data analysis, IT, and AI skills to close competency gaps and effectively leverage technology.
Concrete Steps for Implementation
- Develop a National AI and Digital Transformation Strategy: Governments need clear strategies to address cultural, infrastructural, and human resource barriers while capitalizing on opportunities in the digital age.
- Identify Competencies Needed for Strategy Execution: Each country should adapt global frameworks to its unique needs to ensure effective implementation.
- Prioritize Baseline Digital Literacy for All Civil Servants: This ensures resilience against cyber threats while enabling civil servants to fully utilize digital tools.
- Link Trainings to KPIs: Tying training programs to measurable outcomes ensures accountability and progress tracking.
- Tap into Academia’s Expertise: Partnerships with universities can produce evidence-based curricula and policies on AI and digital transformation.
- Crowd-In Innovation Through Private Sector Participation: Governments can learn from private sector expertise by fostering partnerships through innovation challenges, hackathons, or startup contests.
- Engage Actively with the International Community: Leveraging global frameworks and initiatives supports countries in advancing their digital transformation goals.
Key Resources and Initiatives
- The AI and Digital Transformation Competency Framework for Civil Servants provides guidance for capacity building in public sectors.
- The Internet Universality Indicators help assess national internet ecosystems as a foundation for policy recommendations.
- A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on public sector digital transformation will launch in 2025.
Upcoming Event
In June 2025, a Conference on AI and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector will be held at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. This event will convene global stakeholders to address the critical need for capacity building in AI and digital transformation within public sectors.
Conclusion
The session concluded with a call to action for governments to embrace leadership-driven change, invest in data infrastructure, develop workforce capabilities, and engage with stakeholders at all levels. Participants were invited to utilize available resources and join the upcoming conference to further explore these topics.