For people around the world, life hasn’t been too easy the last few years. Not just from quarantines and social distancing, but from a perceptible increase in distrust of institutions: the media, the government, even our neighbours.
Sometimes distrust can be healthy, but it’s vital that government leaders nurture community whenever possible, fomenting good will and connectivity between public officials and the local people who support them.
In the wake of so much chaos and disorder the last few years, it’s imperative that local governments begin rebuilding trust with their communities. Small towns and other local governments represent the lifeblood of any democracy, which is why a culture of mutual trust is so crucial.
We’re talking here about the process of civic engagement. What does that mean exactly? Essentially, it means making a difference in the daily life of local communities by developing connections between people, their neighbours, and their elected officials.
Curious how can government leaders improve civic engagement? Here’s a few tech-savvy ideas to get started.
Improve Digital Connectivity
We all know that there’s now a seemingly endless array of digital solutions and digitization of basic services. It’s implementing those solutions that takes skill and dedication.
But when public infrastructure takes a lead on improving digital services, especially for its most vulnerable and needy residents, the whole community is lifted up, often leading to boosted economy and greater civic pride.
That means making sure that local governments provide access with as much equity as possible, facilitating modern technology in both urban and rural areas. With relatively little money and effort compared to other governmental functions, leaders can substantially improve the lives of their citizens through improved access to education, job listings and the fast-growing digitization of healthcare.
It also helps governments become more available to locals through online services aimed at answering questions or solving problems.
Level Up Your Workers
While locals will benefit from improved digital infrastructure outside the government, it’s equally important to ensure a tech-savvy workforce within it as well.
More than ever, constituents want convenience, and usually expect it, even from their local government. That means public officials must stay on top of the fast-evolving world of tech solutions, and develop their own understanding.
Digital services are no help if a government’s employees don’t know how to use them, or explain their use to others. When submitting a permit application becomes as easy as ordering a T-shirt online, constituents will notice and remember.
By developing a modern mindset about new technology, among both staff and constituents, local government leaders can effectively improve connection and civic engagement throughout their communities.
Leverage Data In Government Services
As those digital services become active and commonplace, it results in a flood of data, which must be processed and stored, just like public records at the courthouse.
More importantly, that mountain of data becomes a powerful means of improving city and provincial services. How quickly are certain problems being resolved? Are they being resolved at all? How many cars are registered each year? How many small businesses applied for loans? How many technical problems were raised by staff members and how many of them were actually fixed?
Those are just a few examples of the many ways that governments can use data to their advantage. But officials must be willing to take the time to understand it — and preferably hire some very smart people to help them along the way.
Civic engagement might sound stuffy and uninteresting, but it is in fact the sustenance upon which governments thrive — or flounder. While technology isn’t the only means of achieving that connectivity, it’s certainly one of the most important.