Weekly briefing: How to be a better public speaker; 5 lessons from first public work survey

Top Stories

Learn to be a better public speaker and influencer with our free course for public servants. Apolitical’s interactive 15-minute class will teach you how to introduce yourself in an engaging way, plan compelling content for a speech and deliver a presentation with confidence and flair. (Apolitical)

From gender gaps to corruption: 5 lessons from the first public work survey. Until now, we knew little about what public employment around the world looked like, from its impact on labour markets to civil servants’ pay, age and education. New research gives governments a way to measure and compare workforces. (Apolitical)

We want to help you be better at your job. Apolitical plans to roll out new professional development resources for public servants in 2019. What skills do you want to learn this year? Tell us by taking a short survey.

Anti-vaxxers are back — but behavioural science could beat them. Last year, the prevalence of measles grew by 30% worldwide. From engaging sensitively with sceptics to optimising delivery, here’s how new tools can tackle fear of vaccines. (Apolitical)

Tech skills can no longer be seen as ‘just an IT thing’: all public servants need digital literacy. Canada’s new Digital Academy aims to close the skills gap by teaching government employees how to bring design thinking, data and technology into their work. (Ryan Androsoff, the Institute on Governance)

Education and Changing Jobs

New York has built the first freelance-focused workforce training program in the US. A communal coworking space offers free classes, tax advice and legal counsel to freelancers, who make up 38% of the city’s workforce. The goal is to teach them the skills they need, but aren’t learning in school. (NPR)

In India, one community’s approach to education has been adopted by more than 250,000 schools. Facing a teacher shortage, the rural region of Rishi Valley started employing instructors to teach students of multiple grade levels at once. Student achievement soared by up to 40%. (The New York Times)

Energy, Environment and Economic Opportunity

Bangkok is fighting toxic levels of air pollution with drones. City authorities in the Thai capital are using UAVs to spray pollution out of the sky with water and chemicals. The method has so far only been tested in one park, but officials are looking into scaling it city-wide. (Quartz)

Evolving Cities

Tokyo wants to ease subway congestion by offering riders soba noodles and tempura. Commuters who leave before 8 am or after 9 am for 10 consecutive days will get free meal coupons. The city’s busiest line carries over 76,000 people during morning rush hour — twice its intended capacity. (Japan Times)

Technology Frontiers

Louisiana is the first US state to offer digital drivers’ licenses. 77,000 motorists have paid $5.99 to download virtual IDs on the LA Wallet app. They are accepted as identification by Louisiana police and stores that sell alcohol and tobacco. (GovTech)

Gender Equality

Mexico City will give victims of domestic abuse panic alarms The alarms look like key rings and are outfitted with GPS tracking, which helps the police find victims once they push the panic button. In Mexico, seven women are killed by men every day. (Thomson Reuters)

And finally

Cambodia’s prime minister wants to win over the youth vote with a string of Guinness World Records Hun Sen has presided over the construction of the world’s longest scarf, biggest dragon boat and heaviest sticky rice cake. It’s part of a push to get young people excited about the ageing regime. (The New York Times)

(Picture credit: Unsplash)