‘Driving Collaboration’ is the heart of the 2024 ALGIM Conference, explains Mike Manson, Chief Executive of the Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM).
It’s no surprise that the way we work has changed dramatically over the last several decades, and that’s before taking into account the significant changes that have come about in the past five years.
The way we work, what we prioritise as people and employers, and what our communities ask for from us is different, and collaboration has a new level of meaning.
Collaboration is no longer just about people or organisations; it includes technology, not only as a tool for collaboration but also as something we, as people and organisations, can collaborate with to improve outcomes across the board.
How do we adjust to this great change? How do we factor in the dramatic and unpredictable changes in culture, economies, and technology when we consider collaboration?
It’s a question that’s too big for us to answer alone, and we strive to address it at our 2024 ALGIM conference, with the theme ‘Driving Collaboration’.
We’ve spent a year planning, meeting with sector leaders, seeking input on topics, and selecting speakers at the forefront of their fields. We’ve tried to create a conference that works across councils, communities, and with international partners that can act as a vehicle for innovation and progress.
If you’ve attended an ALGIM conference before, you’ll know that they are multifaceted. We cover council projects, international keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, cover trending topics like AI, provide opportunities to make connections in unexpected ways, and – of course – host an awards evening.
This year, we’re trying to demonstrate, with real-world examples, that what works for one council to maximise impact and efficiency can be adapted and work in the same way for others. We’re drawing together national and internationally recognised speakers to share their stories, knowing that local government agencies can benefit from the lessons learnt in different contexts and communities.
We are all facing the same pressures; however, we also all have very unique challenges. Learning from speakers who have tried different things gives us a head start on possible solutions for our communities. We’re looking forward to hearing from Gemma Baxter from Melbourne City Council (covering smart communities and collaborative pilots), and Sarah Pena from Swindon Borough Council in the UK (covering community engagement and different partnership models).
While the past five years have been challenging, they’ve also opened up many new opportunities. The need to work smarter, not harder, has become imperative and we’ve seen examples of this happening already throughout councils.
One of the ways we can do this is through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI can significantly boost council productivity, enhance community engagement, and transform service delivery.
AI will be a key focus of this year’s conference, and we’re delighted to host Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s first digital minister and a leading AI influencer, as one of our keynote speakers. Tang is focused on broadening her vision of technology for collaborative diversity, and we look forward to her opening address.
In saying this, it’s important to remember that AI does not replace people, and the focus cannot shift from ensuring that people leaders focus on well-being, not just outputs.
Workplaces continue to recognise that staff performance depends on their well-being and we’re honoured to have Lauren Parsons speak at the ALGIM Conference. Lauren’s insights will help to make sure that we consider the role that our own well-being has when developing high-performing teams and the impact that has on successful collaboration.
In this spirit of collaboration and working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), we have invited 10 countries from the ASEAN network of nations to attend this year’s conference and share their progress on developing smart community programmes. It is exciting for us to learn and share globally.
At its core, the ALGIM conference is about learning, growing, and connecting. It’s a comprehensive training programme that brings together the best minds in local government and technology.
In a world where challenges are increasingly complex, the power of collaboration cannot be overstated. Whether through technology, community engagement, or international partnerships, working together is how we’ll create a better future for local government.
We’re excited to see you at the conference and look forward to the many ways we’ll learn and collaborate together.