June 2013

Public Sector Innovation at Centre of Collaboration with European Commission

The European Centre for Government Transformation convened a High-Level Roundtable on Public Sector Innovation, in collaboration with the European Commission’s directorate-general for research and innovation. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European commissioner for research, innovation and science, has convened an Expert Group on Public Sector Innovation to reflect on how to spur greater public sector innovation and make this key policy area an integral part of the European Union’s Innovation Union strategy. Members of the expert group, which will deliver their report and recommendations in October 2013, joined this interactive workshop, where practitioners and thought leaders presented case studies to inform the group’s thinking and serve as best practices for the upcoming report. Robert-Jan Smits, director-general for research and innovation, opened the day with a powerful speech on the Commission’s commitments to state modernisation. Christian Bason, director of MindLab and chair of the Expert Group on Public Sector Innovation, introduced the group’s work. Rolf Alter, director for public governance and territorial development at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation (OECD); Claus Duedal Pedersen, chief innovation officer at the Odense University Hospital in Denmark; Dan Hill, CEO of Fabrica, in Italy; Jordi Joly, CEO, economy, enterprise and employment at the Barcelona City Council; and Geoff Mulgan, chief executive of Nesta; showcased innovation delivered in their respective organisations. Peter Dröll, head of unit for innovation policy at the European Commission’s directorate-general for research and innovation; and Ann Mettler, executive director of the Lisbon Council, delivered concluding remarks.