Report from the 5th conference on the quality of public services
André Santini
© DGME
- On: 22.10.2008
- In: Paris La Défense
The 5th conference on the quality of public services brought together over 1 200 participants from 46 different countries in Paris. All the European countries and several other countries, such as the United States and Tunisia, were represented.
Round tables, workshops as well as conferences with well-known speakers were held over these three days, which brought together European agents of public modernisation to debate and exchange best practices. André Santini, the French Minister of State with responsibility for the Civil Service gave the closing address on Wednesday 22 October.
The French Presidency chose "placing citizens at the heart of quality in public services" as the focus for this 5th conference. Today, the quality of public services is no longer simply equal to its efficiency or its rapidity. On the contrary, the full economic, social and environmental impacts of public policies must be examined in an aim to meet citizens' expectations as effectively as possible. In the same vein, Angel Gurria, the OECD Secretary-General, reiterated that placing citizens at the heart of quality is "a journey, not a point of arrival".
Participants emphasised the importance of encouraging innovation within public structures, but also of assessing their results and being able to learn from them. Several speakers were able to share examples of public services being 'co-produced' with users of local communities, and showed the extent to which citizens' involvement could be an excellent driver of innovation.
5th conference on the quality of public services (Announcement)
- Updated: 23.12.2008
