About Return to top

Seven major European universities from seven European countries, namely the University of Leuven (Belgium), RWTH Aachen and Fraunhofer/FIT (Germany), the International Hellenic University (Greece), Gdańsk University of Technology (Poland), Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands), University of Stockholm (Sweden) and Danube University Krems (Austria), together with the Greek National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA) organise a training course for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in the public sector. The event will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece from 10 to 13 Oct. 2017 and is supported by the Greek government.

Why to follow this course:

  • You will meet, discuss and learn from top professors coming the 7 participating universities as well as invited top experts from the industry and the public sector.
  • You will have the opportunity to meet experienced colleagues from different countries and exchange practices, experiences and knowledge with them.
  • We will present, analyse and demystify “hot topics” for CIOs, ranked high in agendas of public administrations all over the world.
  • You will participate and contribute actively in stimulating discussions, knowledge exchange and creation.
  • You will have the chance to meet top-class keynote speakers including national CIOs and industry leaders.

Certificate of Attendance signed by all universities will be issued to all participants.

Who can attend Return to top

The target audience includes public sector information technology leaders from around the world. Possible designations include Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology Officers, IT Directors, IT Directors General and IT Advisors, associated with government ministries or provincial or city governments.

What to expect on the day Return to top

The themes of the course cover four areas:

  • Information and data Management, Interoperability strategies/frameworks/practices, data analytics and intelligence.
  • Open Government, and Open Data.
  • Innovative Technologies for the public sector, e.g. co-creation, smart government.
  • Digital Government Transformation, e.g. with topics covering IT governance, privacy, security.

The course will be organised in an interactive way with plenary and breakout sessions with hands-on workshops to facilitate knowledge transfer and experience sharing amongst the participants.

Important dates Return to top

  • Dates: 10-13 October 2017
  • Deadline for registrations: 15th of September

Registration Return to top

To attend the conference, please pre-register online. Important: Please note that your registration is subject to approval by the organisers. You will be notified of your registration status by email within 2 weeks from your initial registration. As there are limited places, please register as soon as possible to reserve your place. The registration will remain open until 15th of September, unless all available places are booked before that date. In this case, the registration system may close before the deadline, so book your place asap.

Greek participants should contact the Greek National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government at +30 2131306410.

Register here

Agenda Return to top

Tuesday 10 Oct: Information, Data Management and Interoperability
09:00-09:45 Opening
  • Prof. Costas Th. Grammenos, President, International Hellenic University (welcome address) Video→
    X
  • Asso. Professor Kamtsidou Ifigeneia, President, National Centre for Public Administration & Local Government (EKDDA), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) Video→
    X
  • Asst. Professor Vassilios Peristeras, Scientific Coordinator of the CIO Training, International Hellenic University Video→
    X
    X
09:45-10:30 Keynote
  • Digital Public Administration – an opportunity for Europe (PDF↓)
    Mário Campolargo, Deputy Director General DG DIGIT, European Commission Video→
    X
    X
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break

Day I: Information, Data Management and Interoperability

Coordinators:

  • Stefan Decker, Director Fraunhofer FIT, Professor, RWTH Aachen, Germany
  • Vassilios Peristeras, Asst. Prof. “Web Information Systems”, International Hellenic University, Greece
    X

Information and data is produced in huge quantities nowadays. At the same time, new paradigms for data storage, processing, analysis and sharing emerge. For public administrations, this new environment creates opportunities and challenges. How these oceans of data can be exploited to promote evidence-based policy making? How public administrations should publish and share data and information? How far away are we from the no-stop government paradigm?

11:00-12:00 Information, Data Management & Interoperability, Presentations - part I
  • Introduction: Towards data-driven administrations (PDF 1↓, PDF 2↓), Vassilios Peristeras & Stefan Decker Video→
    X
    X
  • Implementing interoperability in the EU: the new European Interoperability Framework (PDF↓), Miguel Alvarez-Rodriguez, DG Informatics (DIGIT), European Commission. Video→
    X
    X
  • The Common Information Management Framework (CIMF) (PDF 1↓, PDF 2↓), Declan Deasy, Former Director DG Informatics, European Commission Video→
    X
    X
  • The Role of the Once-Only Principle for Cross-Border Data Exchange within and outside the European Union, Robert Krimmer (PDF 1↓, PDF 2↓), Tallinn University, Estonia Video→
    X
    X
12:00-13:00 Information, Data Management & Interoperability, Presentations - part II
  • Managing the Public Sector Digital Transformation - Malta's Casestudy (PDF↓) Emanuel Darmanin, Head Strategy and Business Department Strategy, Malta Information Technology Agency, Malta Video→
    X
    X
  • Unified data space principles implementation in Latvia’s public sector institutions (PDF↓), Dita Gabalina, Expert in IT architecture, Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Latvia Video→
    X
    X
  • Data governance: laying the foundations for data-driven public sector (PDF↓), Nikolaos Loutas, Director, PwC Belgium Video→
    X
    X
13:00-14:00 Lunch Break
14:00-15:15 Information, Data Management and Interoperability, Workshop - part I

Participants will be divided in smaller groups. Each group will focus and discuss a topic related to the subject with the help of a facilitator and a rapporteur.

The facilitator provides the context and background for the discussion ensures that the group stays on track and into the subject and monitors time to ensure that important aspects of the subject are covered/discussed. The group also assigns a rapporteur, a role to be undertaken by one of the participants. The rapporteur takes notes, coordinates the discussion together the facilitators and finally presents the summary of the discussion in the plenary.

The groups with discuss on the following topics:

  • Group A: Data and information management using the Common Information Management Framework (CIMF).
    • Facilitator: Declan Deasy, Former Director DG Informatics, European Commission
      X
  • Group B: Once-Only Principle: best practices, tools and challenges
  • Facilitator: Robert Krimmer, Tallinn University, Estonia
    X
  • Group C: Promoting Data Interoperability: frameworks, best practices, tools and challenges.
    • Facilitators: Emanuel Darmanin, Head Strategy and Business Department Strategy, Malta Information Technology Agency, Malta, Miguel Alvarez-Rodriguez, DG Informatics (DIGIT), European Commission.
      X
      X
  • Group D: Exploiting new data sources and technologies: IoT, social media, big data, data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (PDF↓)
    • Facilitator: Nikolaos Loutas, Director, PwC Belgium
      X

General Support: Dimitris Tsimaras

15:15-15:35 Coffee Break
15:35-16:45 Information, Data Management and Interoperability, Workshop - part II
  • Group presentations and discussion at plenary Video→
    X
16:45-17:00
  • Wrap-up, conclusions
Wednesday 11 Oct: Open Government and Open Data

Coordinator:

  • Marijn Janssen, Professor “ICT & Governance”, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
    X

Countries have embraces open government as a way to close the distance with their constituents and to facilitate innovation of businesses. Yet, the results are often disappointing and the focus has been on opening data and the facilitating technology, instead of on realizing transparency, accountability and engagement. Nevertheless, there are many successful practices and results. This day will be focused on arriving at more effective policies. The participants will share best and worse experiences with each other to arrive at better policies.

09:00-10:00 Keynote
  • Open data policy: The Greece initiative on open data (PDF↓), Nikolaos Michalopoulos, General Director for Reformation Policy and eGovernment, Ministry of Administrative Reconstruction, Greece Video→
    X
10:00-10:45
  • New General Data Protection Regulation with regard to the public sector, (PDF↓) Ioannis Inglezakis, Associate Prof., Law School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Video→
    X
10:45-11:15 Coffee Break
11:15-12:45
  • Collaboration in Open data: Does open data create an open government?, Marijn Janssen, Delft university of Technology, The Netherlands Video→
    X
    X
12:45-14:00 Lunch Break
14:00-15:30 Towards better open government policies, Workshop – part I

Some countries view open government as similar to open data, whereas other countries have a broader approach. In some countries, the focus is on the national level, whereas in other countries the focus is at the local level where the rubber hits to road.

There will be a breakdown in groups to discuss open government policies. The following questions will be addresses: What elements should be included in open government policies? What makes an effective open government policy? What is the relationship between policies at the national and local level?

General Support: Dimitris Tsimaras, Vassilios Peristeras

15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 Towards better open government policies, Workshop – part II
  • The outcomes of the group discussions will be presented in the plenary sessions, followed by the plenary discussion, and a summary. Video→
    X
Thursday 12 Oct: Public Sector Innovation

Coordinators:

  • Joep Crompvoets, Professor ‘Information Management in the Public Sector’, KU Leuven, Belgium
    X
  • Vasilis Koulolias, Director eGovlab, Stockholm University, Sweden
    X

The public sector plays a key economic role as a regulator, service provider, and employer. Jobs provided by public sector account for more than 25% of total employment and a significant share of economic activity in Europe. An efficient and productive public sector can be a strong driver of private sector growth. At this moment, there is a strong justification for efficiency gains, better governance, faster delivery, and more citizens' involvement in public sector.

In this context, this day will be dedicated to a collaborative discussion around the value of co-creation within public service delivery. Experts from the Belgian KU Leuven and the Swedish eGovLab at Stockholm University we will engage with the groups through a process of co-design and co-creation where we will model organisational structures and develop business models that a support digital transformation.

Topics: Introduction to Public Sector Innovation, Smart World, Misinformation

09:00-09:45
Public Sector Innovation – Current Trends (PDF↓), George Spiliotopoulos, Director of Strategic Planning, General Secretariat for Digital Policy, Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media Video→
X
09:45-10:05
Case study about the Belgian Public Sector Digital transformation (PDF↓), Frank Leyman, Manager International Relations, DG Digital Transformation Video→
X
X
10:05-10:50
Public Sector Innovation - Governance of Smart World, Joep Crompvoets, Professor ‘Information Management in the Public Sector’, KU Leuven, Belgium Manager International Relations, DG Digital Transformation Video→
X
X
10:50-11:20
Coffee Break
11:20-11:50
Innovative practices in Public Administration (Observatory, Repository and Consultations) (PDF↓), Emmanouil Zoulias, & Dimitrios Tsimaras, Research & Studies Officer, National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA), Greece Video→
X
11:50-12:45
Open innovation in the Swedish public sector (PDF↓), Vasilis Koulolias, Director eGovlab, Stockholm University, Sweden Video→
X
X
12:45-14:00
Lunch Break
14:00-15:30
Public Sector Innovation, Workshop - part I
Facilitator: Gideon Mekonnen Jonathan
15:30-16:00
Coffee Break
16:00-17:00
Public Sector Innovation, Workshop - part II, Plenary presentations & overall discussion (PDF↓), Discussion coordinators: Vasilis Koulolias & Joep Crompvoets Video→
X
X
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Friday 13 Oct: Digital Government Enterprise

Coordinator:

  • Tomasz Janowski, Acting Chair of Applied Informatics in Management and Visiting Professor, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland; Visiting Professor, Danube University Krems, Austria
    X

Digitization has brought enormous benefits to societies and economies in terms of access to public service, more efficient, transparent and responsive public administration, greater engagement of citizens in political and government affairs, and the development of knowledge-based societies and economies.

Digitization is also showing its dark side by increasing existing and creating new inequalities, exposing people to cybercrime and loss of privacy, and enabling mass manipulation of people's political sentiments, often across national borders.

This day will focus on the role and responsibilities of Government Chief Information Officers in making sure that the Digital Government Enterprise, through available policy and programme instruments, can help deliver the benefits and address the risks of digitization.

The agenda will comprise:

  • A series of presentations by distinguished government practitioners on the performance of the Digital Government Enterprise in different national contexts;
  • A discussion panel between the presenters and the audience a) on the enablers and inhibitors for Digital Government Enterprise; and b) on the role and responsibilities of Government Chief Information Officers within the Digital Government Enterprise to deliver the benefits and address the risks of digitization, considering the enablers and inhibitors present within countries.
9:30-10:30 Keynote speech
  • Inclusive e-Governance to Reach out to a Billion+, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, President & CEO, National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt of India Video→
    X
    X
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:45 Presentations
  • Digital transformation in the Spanish Government (PDF↓), Miguel A. Amutio, Deputy Head of Unit, Coordination of ICT Units, General Secretariat for Digital Administration, Ministry of Finance and Public Function, Spain
    X
  • Digital government transformation in the Netherlands (PDF↓), John Kootstra, Coordinating Policy Advisor, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, The Netherlands
    X
12:45-14:00 Lunch Break
14:00-15:00
  • Discussion panel
    Vasilis Koulolias, Director eGovlab, Stockholm University, Sweden
    X
    Participants: Mr Sanjeev Gupta, Miguel A. Amutio, John Kootstra
    General Support: Gideon Mekonnen Jonathan
    The panel will engage the presenters and the audience in discussing the question “What are the enablers and inhibitors for Digital Government Enterprise in different national contexts?” and on the role and responsibilities of Government Chief Information Officers.
    X
    X
    X
15:00-15:30
  • Closing Panel: Conclusions from the seminar, Vassilios Peristeras, Joep Crompvoets, Vasilis Koulolias, Dimitris Tsimaras
    X
    X
    X
15:30-16:30 Reception

Costs Return to top

Attending the course is free of charge. Participants should cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Programme Committee Return to top

  • Vassilios Peristeras, Asst. Prof. International Hellenic University, Scientific Coordinator, Greece
    X
  • Joep Crompvoets, Professor ‘Information Management in the Public Sector’, KU Leuven
    X
  • Stefan Decker, Director Fraunhofer FIT, Professor, RWTH Aachen, Germany
  • Tomasz Janowski, Acting Chair of Applied Informatics in Management and Visiting Professor, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland; Visiting Professor, Danube University Krems, Austria
    X
  • Marijn Janssen, Professor in ICT & Governance, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
    X
  • Vasilis Koulolias, Director eGovlab, Stockholm University, Sweden
    X
  • Dimitris Tsimaras, Research & Studies Officer, National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA), Greece

The Training Course is part of the strategic plan for the development of the educational programmes of the School of Science and Technology. More information on the programmes available can be found here.