Adopting a long term vision, making use of public sector research and developing technologies to suit our lifestyles not vice versa, were some of the issues raised at a recent conference entitled Leading Technology for Local Government – Putting Innovation to Work.
At the Conference, hosted by the City of Whittlesea in Victoria, delegates heard presentations on eStrategies, case studies of innovations at work and saw practical demonstrations. A keynote speaker at the Conference was Chief Executive Officer of the De Bono Institute, Susan Mackie, who said that thinking was the best tool for technology and innovation.
“Organisations need to place real value on the attribute of creation, produce new ideas and concepts on demand and have a mechanism to capture and treat ideas,” she said. “The mind can get into a rut of traditional thinking that does not properly process and evaluate new ideas.”
Another Keynote speaker, Professor Mary O’Kane, international consultant and government adviser, emphasised the need for proactive service delivery through technology innovation, rather than starting with technology and then looking at ways to apply it. She also highlighted Australia’s considerable knowledge brokerage capability and how it can be enhanced.
“Local Government can foster an innovative culture locally by linking with similar organisations globally through electronic communication, visits and exchanges,” she said. “It is important for Local Government to encourage innovative firms and research institutions to relocate into their municipalities. Think in terms of what social change you want and how technology can assist.”
