93. Design government and democracy around citizens not services

Photo credit

OK, so this is the pitch I am thinking about for govcampcymru. It's taking place on the 24 September in Cardiff.

What might government and democracy in Wales look like if we designed around what people need as citizens rather than what they need as service users?

There is a big reform agenda around local government in Wales at the moment.  One map has been scrapped and we wait to see what the next proposal will be.

The driving force for change is efficiency and reductions in funding for public services - but I'm wondering what if we designed democracy and government institutions around the needs of citizens rather than services?

Would things be very different? Or not?

Do we actually have a clear idea of what citizens actually need? Do we have ways of finding out? Have we ever really tried?

As I have argued before, designing for citizens if different to designing for customers.  Citizens are users sure, but they use 'democracy services' (elections, consultations, representatives etc etc) and have rights rather than customer needs.

It's also quite hard to think about this without thinking about the 'solutions' that already exist such as local councils, elections and MPs.

So, how should we capture citizen needs? How should we find out what they are?

In my session I want to start with the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It includes three rights particularly relevant to citizenship:

• Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. (Article 19)
• Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (Article 20.1)
• Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (Article 21.1)

This leads to three questions we can ask about what government for citizens in Wales might look like:

What do citizens need so they can share their opinions with other people?

What do citizens need so they can work with other people to bring about change?

What do citizens need so they can take part in decision making?

And those are the questions I'm planning to ask.

Make sense?

81. An oath for the new public servant

This oath started with a conversation that I had with Carl Whilstlecraft and has been shaped by many others.  You can see the conversation in this storify – I think it’s important to show the workings out.

What’s it for?  Well for us it’s a reminder of what we stand for and what we have learnt.  It’s also a reminder of how we need to be different in times that are rapidly changing.  Finally it’s a set of ideals that are shared by many, that we are part of a community.

Of course it will always be a work in progress so let me know what you think.

An Oath for the New Public Servant

I swear by the power of the people that I will keep this oath whatever gets thrown at me.

I will always remember my values because they are the reason why I am a public servant.  With pride I will share my belief in democracy, public service and the common good.

I am a public servant because I want to make a difference for people and for places.   I will put the public first and strive to find out what people can offer and what people need.  I will start with people's interests and aspirations and will never assume I know what anyone needs without asking them.

I will focus on solutions and seek out strengths and great work.  I will celebrate the good stuff and always give credit where credit is due.  I will not waste my time obsessing about problems and causes.

I will be constructive and honest in my feedback and willing to receive constructive criticism when it comes to me.  I will give myself and those around me permission to fail and I will learn from failure.   All because I want everything to be the best it can be.

I will put my energy into changing what I can influence and I will not worry about the things I cannot change.  I will lead by being the change I want to see and bring people with me by showing them what can be better.

I will move quickly from ideas to action.  I will prototype, mock up, try out and test.  I will develop through iteration and use feedback to improve.  I will not spend time on unnecessary planning.

I will be social not siloed.  I will work across boundaries both inside and outside of my organisation.  I will help build networks with like-minded people.  I will be open and transparent whenever I can and I will share whatever I can.

I will always be interested in the latest technology but I will remember that it is only a means to an end.  Sometimes new technology is not needed at all; changing how people act is what really matters.

I will strive to be an expert in not being an expert. I will listen, facilitate, encourage and support.  I will remember that there is always something to be learnt from others and a new idea to be found.  I will be critical and ask questions and get the richest picture that I can.

If I follow this oath may I have credit from my colleagues and thanks from the public.

photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/5qcR53