Virtual event
How to Rebuild Public Trust
Exclusively for public servants and policymakers
Wednesday, Aug 6, 2025
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Speakers
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Resources
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Event Description
Are we facing a crisis of confidence in our public services? According to the OECD’s latest Survey on the Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions in 2024, 44% of citizens express low trust in their governments and the services they provide.
But trust can be restored — through responsive policies, human-centred services and deeper civic participation.
In this panel, global public servants, communications experts and policy specialists share tested ways to rebuild public trust. Expect honest discussion, proven ideas and practical strategies you can take back to your work.
Interested in how Apolitical can support you and your organisation? Learn about collaborating with us.
Image Credit: unsplash
Speakers
MarĂa Alejandra Pedraza Orduz
Head of the Transparency Advisory Office, Cali, Colombia
Colombia
Saumya Shruti
Senior Associate, Global Development Initiative, Centre for Public Impact
USA
Omar Chedda
Sustainable Development Specialist, Public Sector, Jamaica
Jamaica
MarĂa Alejandra Pedraza Orduz, is a public servant with over eight years of experience. She holds degrees in Political Science and Sociology, and has led the design and implementation of open contracting strategies with a focus on public sector innovation. These initiatives aim to promote the inclusion of SMEs, small rural producers, and women-led businesses in government procurement markets at both local and national levels. She currently coordinates the fiscal transparency strategy of the City of Cali, which seeks to strengthen accountability and restore public trust in government spending, with a particular focus on civil society organizations, community leaders, and local SMEs.
Saumya Shruti, is an experienced systems innovator and budding urbanist, with a focus on working in community to develop a justice oriented and equitable world. Over the past 5 years, she has worked on embedding innovation in local governments around the world to cultivate cultures of participatory democracy. At the Centre for Public Impact, Saumya has trained over 25 cities globally in using human centered design to develop community co-created policy. She's also designed numerous programs on cultivating trust across systems, and is currently leading an collective governance incubation lab – CPI's Collective. Saumya believes the current polycrises require reimagining government through innovation rooted in community power and dignity for all.
Omar Chedda, is a development specialist for investment, international trade, energy, and environment. He has a history of public and private sector development through policy analysis and project implementation for investment, international trade, energy, environment, and small business development. His current responsibilities include guiding the development of appropriate policies and programmes to expand investments and maximize their benefits. He sits on several committees and working groups responsible for the implementation of government policies.
