Distinguished Professor Jane Fountain (political science and public policy) wrote part of a World Economic Forum report released earlier this month examining ways that governments can use technology to build trust and deliver more efficient public services.
The report, titled Future of Government Smart Toolbox, provides an analysis of how technology can and is affecting both the demands placed on government to deliver more with less and government’s ability to meet expectations.
This document focuses on eight key areas for improving government performance:
- anti-corruption;
- political representation;
- bureaucracy;
- delivery of services;
- trust;
- leadership;
- security; and
- innovation.
Fountain wrote the section on political representation, which is one of the core issues for technology and governance globally.
Fountain has been a member of the Future of Government Global Agenda Council, the body that produced this new toolbox, since its inception seven years ago. She is past-chair of the Council and led the writing of its first major report, The Future of Government: Lessons Learned from around the World, which led to the initial sessions at Davos for government and nongovernmental leaders on this topic.