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Creating the conditions for public innovation

30/08/2007

"We need systemic change to reinforce innovation in the public sector. This conference is a must for those serious about shaping the innovation agenda."

'Creating the Conditions for Public Innovation' will be held in central London on 1 November, with the aim of generating awareness of public service innovations and discussing the role of government in creating the conditions for the future spread of innovation in the public sector. An expert line-up includes Geoff Mulgan, Michael Bichard, Irene Lucas, Lucy de Groot and Ian Watmore – Permanent Secretary at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. A ministerial speaker is still to be confirmed.

Designed for senior civil servants and innovation leaders working across the whole public service system, the event will feature case studies of successful innovation commissioned by the National School from the Young Foundation and others.

National School Advisor on Innovation and conference organiser Dr Su Maddock says that the case studies provide useful learning on how innovation travels in the public sector, illustrated by the stories told by the key innovators involved in radical shifts in practice in health, social care, local transport, community policing etc. She explains:

"Although innovation tends to emerge on the margins of established practice, whether in the community or in public bodies, the input of senior civil servants can either make or break initiatives. We need systemic change to reinforce innovation in the public sector. This conference is a must for those serious about shaping the innovation agenda."

The conference will be interactive and participants will be encouraged to consider, through conversation with a range of expert practitioners, how governance frameworks might create the conditions for supporting local and 'systematic innovation' in the public domain.

The fee of £395 includes lunch and refreshments. Further information and booking details can be obtained at www.nationalschool.gov.uk/news_events/stories/PIC1.asp or by contacting Lucy Hosking MacLeod on 01344 634185.

Talking about their involvement, Helen Gresty, executive director of NESTA's Innovation Programmes, said:

"The next generation of designers could hold the key to some of our more intractable social problems. We're interested in challenging these individuals to apply their skills and creativity to these issues to come up with new and innovative solutions and inspire others to do the same".

The full list of projects, including those under the Design for Living heading, can be found at www.rsadesigndirections.org. Further information, including resource materials, details of awards worth £100,000 in total, entry forms, judging panels and sponsor information can also be found here.

For media enquiries, please contact Rob Reynolds, National School of Government at rob.reynolds@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk or on 01344 634145 or 07881 518719; or Chris Blunkell, Media Associate at chris.blunkell@btinternet.com or on 01227 772747 or 07941 831341.

The line-up of speakers includes:

Irene Lucas, Chief Executive, South Tyneside MBC
Lucy de Groot, Executive Director, IDeA
Geoff Mulgan, Director, Young Foundation
Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary, Dept for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Michael Bichard, Rector, University of the Arts, London
David Albury, Board Director, Innovation Unit
Jonathan Kestenbaum, Chief Executive, NESTA
John Thackara, Programme Director, Dott 07
Mike Farrar, Chief Executive, NW SHA

National School of Government
As the Government's centre of excellence for learning and development, the National School of Government became a separate government department in January 2007. Under Principal and Chief Executive David Spencer, it strives to ensure the highest professional and academic standards in public service organisational and people development. It offers a range of open programmes, single client learning and organisational development tailored services, consultancy and research.

NESTA
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts. With endowed funds of over £300 million, our mission is to transform the UK's capacity for innovation. We do this in three main ways: by working to build a more pervasive culture of innovation in this country; by providing innovators with access to early stage capital; and by driving forward research into innovation, with a view to influencing policy.

The Young Foundation
The Young Foundation is a centre for social innovation based in East London - combining practical projects, the creation of new enterprises, research and publishing. It undertakes research to identify and understand unmet social needs and then develops practical initiatives and institutions to address them - in fields as diverse as health and education, housing and cities.