Weekly briefing: How to fail in government

Top Stories

The private sector encourages failure. Should government do the same? In the public sector, missteps can end up on the front page of a newspaper. But failure can help us learn to succeed. Here are three tips to remove the danger from making mistakes. (Brian Elms, Change and Innovation Agency, Denver)

Digital social innovation is the radical alternative to big tech. From open-source democratic platforms to DIY artificial organs, the trend offers new ways to tackle social and environmental challenges. Yet initiatives often exist in silos — here’s how to break them. (Codrina Cretu, Nesta)

Book sharing could reduce child violence. A community in South Africa is using picture books to help young children avoid violence as they grow up. But it’s not the reading itself that gets results — the benefits come instead from sharing experiences with a caregiver. (Apolitical)

Upcoming

Using data to guide policy is essential in government. But it’s easier said than done. Our storytelling with data workshop on September 18 will show you how to turn complex data into compelling stories to change minds and influence others. (Apolitical)

Feeling lonely in government? Finding your tribe can help. In a free webinar on October 17, public servants from One Team Gov UK and Canada's change-makers network will teach you how to find your people in government.

Energy, Environment and Economic Opportunity

Finland is the world’s most flexible place to work. Next year, the majority of full-time Finnish employees will choose when and where they work for at least half their working hours. Finns believe remote work doesn’t lead to slacking off, with workers still expected (and trusted) to clock 40 hours per week. (BBC)

Health and Ageing

US cities are stationing social workers inside libraries Starting in San Francisco Public Library, there are now 30 library systems across the US with full-time caseworkers. They start conversations with citizens in need, and inform them about available resources and services. (Next City)

Technology Frontiers

The EU plans to impose strict limits on facial recognition technology. The regulation will give citizens explicit rights over the use of their data and the power to know when companies use facial recognition. The move boosts existing protections set out in the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). (The Financial Times)

Energy, Environment and Economic Opportunity

Copenhagen is using transport planning to become carbon neutral in six years. Nicknamed the “five-minute city”, infrastructure in its Nordhavn district is designed so it takes five minutes to walk from your home to a nursery, shop or public amenities. It’s engineered to be so convenient that a car is not required. (Fast Company)

Australia has pledged millions for the Pacific to build resilience to climate change. The money will be spent on protecting infrastructure from rising sea levels and helping nations recover following natural disasters. The US $338m fund is drawn from its international aid budget. (Global Government Forum)

Safety and Justice

Welsh local authorities are legally bound to help people before they become homeless. The first country where the government has fully reoriented services towards prevention, initiatives include mediating between tenants and landlords, and speeding up rehousing services. (Pro Bono Australia)

And finally

Russia is sending a gun-toting robot into space Its semi-autonomous robot, Fedor, was made famous by shooting a gun in a 2017 YouTube video, and has been repurposed to develop and construct bases on the Moon. (Futurism)

(Picture credit: Unplash)