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Australia tried 3 fixes to take bias out of hiring — here's what worked

Jennifer Guay

January 09, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Melbourne, Victoria

The government of Victoria, Australia partnered with businesses across the state to workshop ways cultural, gender, and other biases could be eliminated in workforce interview processes. By creating anonymous CVs, using non-gendered language, and training employees on unconscious biases, this "Recruit Smarter" plan saw increased employment consideration for women, minorities, and people with disabilities.

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Singapore made innovation go viral in its public service

Jennifer Guay

January 02, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Singapore, Singapore

Through its Transformation Office and Innovation Lab, Singapore encourages a culture of innovation and smart design when it comes to making policy among its 145,000 strong civil service. Borrowing aspects of its framework from diverse fields like design thinking and psychology, as well as the tech industry, Singapore's government holds training sessions and policy-focused hackathons. The result is innovative pilot programs like facial recognition ID and free skills training for public servants.

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Are terrorists beyond reform? Malaysia is gambling they aren't

Jennifer Guay

November 06, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Malaysia

Malaysia’s extremist rehabilitation team helps former terrorists reintegrate into society by becoming their friends and treating them with dignity. The unusual approach seems to be working. “A lot of the time they just need someone to talk to face-to-face, to make them feel like a person again,” said rehabilitation team member Ahmad El-Muhammady of his work.

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Mass tourism is ruining historic cities. Only government can stop it

Jennifer Guay

October 11, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Barcelona

With tourism on the rise, governments are figuring out how to limit overcrowding and environmental damage. Replicable ideas include marketing beaches and other attractions off the beaten path, regulating hotels and vacation rentals, and even requiring that every tourist must be accompanied by a local guide.

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Evidence-based policymaking: is there room for science in politics?

Jennifer Guay

October 07, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

In the UK, the What Works Centres are bringing scientific rigor into the realm of government by promoting evidence-based policymaking (EBPM). By evaluating policies through an unbiased, empirical approach like a randomized controlled trial, the What Works Centres, and now hundreds of U.S. cities, can implement only the most effective policies. However, critics point to the fact that success in certain trials does not guarantee success elsewhere.

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Governments are using games to engage citizens — but beware before you play

Jennifer Guay

September 19, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: China, Suining

Games can make policymaking more participatory and push citizens to change their behavior in public, and private, spaces. To keep engagement high, governments should change the games periodically and include both online and offline elements, says Gianluca Sgueo, author of Games, Power and Democracies.

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How to brand a country: why our governments are hiring PR specialists

Jennifer Guay

September 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Russia, Tatarstan

Building a country’s “brand identity” has shifted from a tourist-attracting gimmick to an exercise in nation building. Consultants meet with citizens, identifying common values and attitudes that can be used to support policy objectives. For example, Tatarstan used brand messaging geared towards youth to reduce brain drain in the region.

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In Argentina, public servants get promoted for learning how to innovate

Jennifer Guay

September 07, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Argentina

Every public servant in Argentina has to collect education points throughout the year. To spark innovation, the Government Lab of Argentina (LABGobAr) is offering courses in design thinking, evidence-based policymaking, and more with instructors from across the world. Sixty-eight percent of participants say they are likely or very likely to use the methods they learned.

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Meet the network tearing down walls between departments in Taiwan

Jennifer Guay

September 05, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

Taiwan is getting creative with tackling tough policy issues. Representatives from all 32 government ministries meet every month, vote on topics to focus on, and conduct workshops with citizens. So far, the network has produced a user-friendly online tax system and is working on a new health card service policy.

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How can government get top talent? Canada's Free Agents work where they want

Jennifer Guay

August 29, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Canada

Canada allows its most innovative public servants move between departments to work on projects that match their skills and interests. The program helps employees advance their skills and spreads their creativity and expertise throughout government.

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