News4ccc1d29fdd20e37030000072019-08-02T15:33:25+02:00UPDATE: Join our FREE webinar 'Powerhouse Presenting'64464328cb99978a6133f6fc2023-06-09T09:46:03+02:002023-04-24T10:51:52+02:00<p>Public speaking is a skill that all good leaders need. However, it can be challenging to talk to an audience. How do we connect with a crowd and speak with confidence?</p>
<p>The Linked Organisation of Local Authorities has organized a FREE webinar designed to help leaders build confidence and speak well in public so that they can engage their audiences, inspire their teams, and succeed in their careers.</p>
<p>Join award-winning educator and Director of the “Brilliant Leaders” program, Dr. Kimberley Tuapawa and learn how to Own the Stage and Speak with Confidence. It is helping people around the world build their confidence and become the brilliant public speakers they were meant to be!</p>
<p>Delivered worldwide, this webinar will held on <a href="https://v-ict-or.be/events/powerhouse-presenting-iii">21/06/2023</a> at 8PM CET. Register here!</p>Milenco Van QuaethemJoin Major Cities of Europe's interactive Cyber Awareness Simulation643516a7cb9997b9e6e3582e2023-04-11T10:13:27+02:002023-04-11T10:13:27+02:00<p>Surely 2022 was the year of cyber attacks. Major Cities of Europe, an international partner of LOLA npo, organized its first virtual and face-to-face tabletop exercises last year. At the end of May, they will organize a new virtual cyber exercise 'The Great Bank Robbery' in which participants will be split into attacking (red) and defending (Blue) teams. Can you rob the bank and get away to retire in wealth somewhere far away? Blue Team - can you stop them and protect your citizens' savings?</p>
<p>The simulation provides a realistic real-time experience for various government-department actors and a gripping event for viewers and participants. The scenario ensures that everyone walks away with a better-shared understanding of the dynamics of cyber security threats.</p>
<p>A cyber attack or breach of a local government's IT systems could have a devastating impact on its ability to function at all levels of operations and service delivery. Such an event would likely cripple operations and lead to a loss of public trust and support. Based on recent experience with other local governments, a cyber attack is now considered a public emergency, requiring a thoughtful, legal and coordinated government response. Cybersecurity remains the first priority for technology executives. Unfortunately, cyber security as a priority does not always resonate with other executives and leaders within a local government. Too often, cybersecurity is seen as an IT "responsibility" rather than an issue or priority that affects every department and function of government operations and service delivery. This exercise helps (non-)IT Cyber Expert create a better-shared understanding of how such attacks work and how to communicate this more effectively to other stakeholders.</p>
<p>Learn more about how:</p>
<ol>
<li>Raise Cybersecurity as a priority within your government department and expose these officials to realistic and time-sensitive experiences and decision-making.</li>
<li>Provide a realistic experience for stakeholders to improve planning and response for a real incident.</li>
<li>Build a strong and unified understanding among key players so that when a real attack occurs, everyone understands their respective roles and responsibilities well.</li>
</ol>
<p>Pre-registration via e-mail to oliver.schwabe@isac4cities.eu is required and registrants can indicate their preference to join the Red or Blue Team. Both teams will be led by experienced cybersecurity professionals.</p>
<p><br />The webinar is organized and led by Oliver Schwabe, the coordinator of the Major Cities of Europe Special Interest Group: EU ISAC for Cities I4C+.</p>Milenco Van QuaethemAlso this year 3 new working groups launched6422b993cb9997156ee58e932023-03-28T11:55:31+02:002023-03-28T11:55:31+02:00<p><strong>As usual, LOLA is again organizing three new working groups around which it will focus in the coming months. Would you like to know which working groups were organized? Then be sure to read on!</strong></p>
<p>Every year, LOLA organizes three working groups, each focusing on 1 particular theme. This year, they will focus on the themes of cybersecurity, IT Skills at the local gov level, and inclusion and diversity. These themes will be further explored in the various working groups, resulting in a concrete outcome. These concrete objectives have not yet been defined but will be determined by the participants of the working groups. Would you like to participate in this? Then be sure to let us know at info@lola-ict.org. </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cybersecurity</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the Cybersecurity Working Group, we are exploring the possibilities of an internationally accepted framework. In doing so, we will obviously not reinvent anything but try to bring various frameworks closer together. We will do this by giving 10 concrete tips to the organization but will also formulate some policy recommendations for national/federal governments.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>IT Skills at the local government level</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em></em></span>In the IT Skills at the local gov level working group, we are exploring the various needs and training opportunities that can help scale up our general knowledge. This can focus on hard and soft skills to best help each of us in the performance of his/her job. </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Inclusion and diversity</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the Inclusion and Diversity working group, we explore the various possibilities for incorporating the diversity that plays out within our organization and wider society into our operations and services as much as possible. In doing so, we want to include everyone in our story and the corresponding digitalisation. </p>Milenco Van QuaethemSocitm launches public sector digital trends 202363d18af2cb99979bfdf8719a2023-01-25T21:04:15+01:002023-01-25T21:02:58+01:00<p style="text-align: justify;">Set in the context of turbulence and the pressing needs for resilience and sustainability, the report examines the digital threats and opportunities facing local government now and what’s coming next.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In preparing this sixth annual report, author and <a href="https://socitm.net/">Socitm</a> associate director Jos Creese, in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.lola-ict.org/">Linked Organisation of Local Authority ICT Societies</a> (LOLA) and <a href="https://www.majorcities.eu/">Major Cities of Europe</a> (MCE), draws on wide-reaching research and case studies from practitioners across the UK and around the world.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Despite extreme challenges in the sector, the report reflects optimism among digital leaders, particularly around innovation in harnessing data and in service design. However, flexibility will be vital to realise any positive outcomes and that means revisiting corporate and digital strategies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As well as <a href="https://socitm.net/resource-hub/collections/public-sector-digital-trends/">browsing the report pages</a>, you can get the top level overview from the <a href="https://socitm.net/resource-hub/socitm-research/public-sector-digital-trends-2023-infographic/">infographic</a> and even dive into the <a href="https://socitm.net/resource-hub/socitm-research/public-sector-digital-trends-2023-summary/">summary</a>.</p>Milenco Van QuaethemThe government of Canada presents: 10 digital principles for local authorities5dd6796fcb9997c95f00033a2019-11-21T12:48:36+01:002019-11-21T12:47:59+01:00<p>During a LOLA meeting in Sweden, Geoff and Kathryn mentioned that the Government of Canada has developed 10 Digital Principles:</p>
<ol>
<li>Design with users</li>
<li>Iterate and improve frequently</li>
<li>Work in the open by default</li>
<li>Use open standards and solutions</li>
<li>Address security and privacy risks</li>
<li>Build in accessibility from the start</li>
<li>Empower staff to deliver better services</li>
<li>Be good data stewards</li>
<li>Design ethical services</li>
<li>Collaborate widely</li>
</ol>
<p>Some of these principles are based on existing LOLA guidelines for local governments. All of the LOLA members support these principles and hope they will find their way to the ICT professionals in our local authorities.</p>
<p>Eddy Van der Stock (Belgium) for instance views the Canadian digital principles as an adequate way of filling in and adopting the “<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/european-egovernment-action-plan-2016-2020">European eGov action plan</a>” of the European commission (sequel to the Malmö statement). The principles boil down to concrete and practical terms which are easily applicable in digital strategic planning on a local level.</p>Louis DescheemaeckerBlockchain on the Move: Self-sovereign identity5cc86935cb9997e5540003372019-08-05T10:05:42+02:002019-04-30T17:26:45+02:00<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OmOCNt8aXy8" width="600" height="300"></iframe></p>
<p>In this video, we take you through the various demo environments and scenarios we developed to demonstrate how the Jolocom SmartWallet can be used by citizens and employees from Dutch and Belgian municipalities during typical service interactions. These demos were created as part of the Blockchain on the Move project, supported by the Flemish Government within the Programme for Innovation Procurement (PIP) and is a consortium with the City of Antwerp, Digipolis, the Flemish Government, Informatie Vlaanderen, and V-ICT-OR (the Flemish ICT organisation) with Jolocom acting as the technical partner. Launched in December 2018, this visionary project aims to enable an ecosystem for self-sovereign identity (SSI) with full support from the public sector.</p>
<p><strong>Read PART ONE of our full report on Blockchain on the Move, Phase 1: SSI Building Blocks: <a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" spellcheck="false" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FSSIinFlanders&redir_token=OfTHv0f8TLbtfJcSBuER5b4MaS18MTU1NjcyNDU5MkAxNTU2NjM4MTky&event=video_description&v=OmOCNt8aXy8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://bit.ly/SSIinFlanders</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>Andreas NikolakopoulosSee cities in past centuries with new Time Machine project5c99eaedcb999702950022472019-08-02T13:10:45+02:002019-03-26T10:03:41+01:00<div class="web-intro clearfix">
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<h4 class="label-above">SUMMARY</h4>
<p><strong>A new research project will use digital technologies to mine information and create virtual 3D models of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, inside and out. Read the full article here or on <a href="http://www.flanderstoday.eu/see-cities-past-centuries-new-time-machine-project?fbclid=IwAR3z2G1Cm8gMynu07paUti2t0uXayjspin2066gYJgebEJDutk6aqPm5g_Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this website</a>.</strong></p>
<h4>TIME TRAVEL</h4>
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<div class="web-intro clearfix">The streets of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges will give up their history, thanks to an innovative new research project that will digitally match maps, archives and other sources of historical information. The result will be a unique way of visualising and accessing the past.</div>
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<p>The initiatives in Flanders are part of the €1 million <a href="http://timemachine.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Time Machine</a> project, which is being launched today in Brussels. Co-ordinated by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, it involves 33 universities, archives and institutions from almost all European countries.</p>
<p>Earlier this month Time Machine was named one of six large-scale research initiatives to be supported under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. It is particularly unusual for a project in the humanities to attract this kind of backing.</p>
<p>“This is an incredibly ambitious project,” said Mike Kestemont, a computational text analyst at Antwerp University and a member of the project steering committee. “The momentum that this initiative has managed to gain in a short period of time is just incredible.”</p>
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<h4>ANTWERP FIRST</h4>
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<p>The universities of Antwerp and Ghent are both involved in the project, along with Belgian Royal Library and State Archives, and almost all of the museums and archives in Antwerp. “Through improved knowledge of our past, we can better understand the present and learn lessons for the future,” said Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever. “That’s why it’s important that we work together with the university in backing the Time Machine project. A better understanding of our city and our beautiful heritage will also lead to a more tightly knit urban community.”</p>
<p>Antwerp’s contribution to the project will involve exploring how mapping and language technology can be combined. “We’re going to link all possible historical sources, ranging from old maps and manuscripts to archives and visual material, based on location,” explained Ilja Van Damme of the university’s <a href="https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/centre-urban-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Centre for Urban History</a>.</p>
<p>The result will be a three-dimensional recreation of the city, rather like Google Street View, linked to historical data. “With this kind of interface, you can pick a building in Antwerp’s city centre and find out who has lived there throughout the centuries, and what the purpose of the building was,” Van Damme goes on. “And thanks to floor plans and sources providing insight into the building’s interior, you can even enter a virtual reconstruction of it and see what sort of things people had in the era of Rubens, for example.”</p>
<p class="ds-1col entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-article-web-paragraph view-mode-full clearfix">The <a href="https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/projects/antwerp-time-machine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Antwerp Time Machine</a> was one of the pilot projects set up in preparation for the bid for EU funds, and so is already well under way. Ghent University will follow its lead, building time machines for Ghent and Bruges, from the middle ages to the present day.This will involve bringing together fundamental research in the humanities with information and communication technologies. “We see this project primarily as a lab for co-creation with both local heritage players and our colleagues in ICT research and cartography,” says Jeroen Deploige, of the university’s <a href="https://www.ugent.be/pirenne/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Henri Pirenne Institute for Medieval Studies</a>. Ghent’s engineers and geographers will contribute expertise in web and database technologies that will help make heritage data accessible.As well as drawing on material from archives, libraries and museums, the aim is also for members of the public to contribute to the time machines, for instance uploading family photos and documents. This will help fill in gaps, such as the stories of 20th-century immigration to Flanders, which can then be connected with specific locations.</p>
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<h4>TIME MACHINE NETWORK</h4>
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<p>More broadly the goal is to build an extensive Time Machine network throughout Europe. “Obviously, smaller cities don’t have the means to develop the technology themselves, but in the long term they will be able to participate through a franchise model,” Kestemont said.</p>
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<p>As for users, the time machines will offer exciting new opportunities to educators, for example allowing students to experience events in virtual reality, such as the storming of the Bastille or the Battle of the Golden Spurs. The project is also expected to encourage local initiatives in tourism and cultural entertainment, and new approaches to urban planning.</p>
<p>Companies working with digital technologies have been quick to see the possibilities. Computer game developer Ubisoft is already on board,” said Van Damme. “The possibilities to create synergies are virtually endless.”</p>
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</div>Andreas NikolakopoulosSmart City Meter 2018: results5c5d3d11cb9997d2d30021bd2019-02-08T11:04:36+01:002019-02-08T09:25:53+01:00<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;"><em><strong>The smart city meter is first and foremost an explorative exercise to the concept of smart cities and how this is experienced by citizens. It is exploratory because the concept has not been clearly defined so far and is not very tangible for the citizen. The playing field of smart cities is usually located at different levels within the city system and citizens are usually only fragmentarily confronted with this. Nevertheless, there are also a number of central components that form the basis of the smart city: the increasing use of technology, the increased use and exchange of (personal) data and the cooperation between various stakeholders in the so-called quadruple helix. The full report of iMec can be read </strong></em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.imeccityofthings.be/drupal/sites/default/files/inline-files/Eindrapport_SmartCityMeter_2018_Imec%20CoT.pdf">here</a></strong></span><em><strong> </strong>(in Dutch, contact us for a translation.)</em></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Conclusion</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">iMec did a research for the second year now on how people in Flanders experience the concept of a smart city and the technologies behind it. It can be concluded that citizens are convinced of smart cities or at least in their potential. It is something in which the cities and municipalities have to invest. It is important to indicate that the smart city is no longer just synonymous with technology but rather with the idea of a utopian city. A city that is smarter and more efficient and that offers solutions for various urban problems. The question is whether the concept is able to meet those expectations.<br /><br />By now, the 'smart city' concept already has the benefit of the doubt. It is also the belief in the smart city and the potential of technology as part of the solutions that currently gives a lot of credit to the various innovations and services that are set up in this context. However the smart city is already a connected city where data exchange is central, there is a great willingness to participate and data sharing, citizens only accept this if there is a clear added value and direct impact for the user. After all, people still remain worried about their privacy and are especially prepared to share 'impersonal' data (or at least the perception of this). This information exchange can go quite far, such as connecting the car, but also serves in two directions to happen. Citizens also expect access to this information. The smart city is clearly not limited to the (large) cities. The research shows that there are hardly any differences between big cities, (center) cities and municipalities. Themes such as safety, mobility and logistics are generally supported. The smart city must therefore focus on these themes, according to the citizens. The degree of acceptance for specific technologies is already considerably big.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">Citizens</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;">More than half (51%) of the respondents think digital technology is a big help. This partly explains the strong belief in the concept of the smart city and the fact that this is considered a positive evolution. Where a small part (11%) indicates that it can not all be technological or digital enough, the majority is rather nuanced. The balance that exists today is more than enough. It does not need more or less. For some it may even be slightly less. 13.5% feel pressured to be technological, while 4.9% indicate that they feel increasingly more excluded. It is not remarkable that the latter two are mainly the older generation (65+). Citizens see the smart city as a positive evolution and also want to actively participate. However, this participation is provisionally limited in terms of engagement and may not require too much effort from the citizen. This explains why the willingness to automatic data sharing is quite high. However, when assessing personal details, the chances are that citizens will drop out. The smart city must also try to consolidate as much as possible with the existing instruments. The smartphone has already taken a central place in this. The interaction with the smart city, whether it is about consulting information, identification or transactions, is done via the mobile platform.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">Policy maker</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There is a strong belief in the concept of smart cities to address urban challenges. Evolution is seen as something positive, something that underlines the role of the smart city as a solution for everyday (urban) problems. Also although it is not entirely clear what the concept entails, it is certain that technology can play a central role in this. The affinity with and confidence in that technology is already great, as well as the willingness in the story of the smart city participate. However, the human aspect and responsibility that a city must take into account has. Despite the positive attitude towards ICT, about 1/5 (18.4%) of the respondents felt extra under pressure set by technological evolutions or even (more) excluded. This therefore argues for a (digital) inclusive approach or policy when working out solutions or services. Technology always remains a means that is not always central or allowed stand in the interaction with the user.<br />The role of the government in the smart city story is double. On the one hand, the government must play a pioneering role. Especially on those domains where there is still an insufficient or quality offer. For those domains from the business world already good products and / or services are offered (eg navigation) the role of the government is more limited. On the other hand, and in this connection, the government must fulfill a facilitator function. She should not only develop new ones make services and innovations possible, but they also need to determine the focus for which challenges these technologies will be deployed. The government is seen as a neutral and reliable partner in this game. It then serves in further development also to watch over the rights and freedoms of the citizen. The willingness to re-use data provided by the citizen is in those circumstances the greatest. <br />Another important element that emerges from the survey seems to be that citizens mainly want solutions that are direct impact on the problems it faces every day. If citizens see the result, their willingness to contribute actively (by sharing data among other things) is rather high. The acceptance level for the use of, for example, cameras to increase safety in the city or municipality seems to be considerably big.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">Business</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The evolution towards the smart city is clearly seen as a positive trend. This is mainly due to the potential of the technology - or at least the belief in it - to offer a solution to various (urban) challenges. The acceptance level to use various digital technologies for this is (still) great. The expectation pattern is that these solutions also generate an effective result and preferably one of which the impact is immediately noticeable. Especially when offering all kinds of services or applications, the citizen expects such a direct effect. These should contribute to a more efficient and liveable city. The citizen is willing to play a part in this. But, as already mentioned above, the willingness is limited or at least subject to specific conditions. The high willingness to exchange information is limited to impersonal, factual information. Privacy remains a sensitive issue. When the balance between privacy and usability is not clear, the citizen will tend to stop. The government plays a major role in the smart city. Especially in data exchange she is considered an important partner. Citizens also see a role for the government to fill gaps in the supply. However, where there is an adequate commercial range of services, this role is less significant. This offers opportunities for various cooperation models and career opportunities, where the government can be an important initiator.</p>Andreas NikolakopoulosBlockchain enables citizens to manage own identity data5c1778fbcb9997e47d00015e2018-12-17T11:23:05+01:002018-12-17T11:22:51+01:00<p><strong><em>The ‘Blockchain on the Move’ project aims to return control to citizens over their identity data. Currently, information about citizens is stored in central databases managed by various organizations, often without the citizen having any control over the accuracy or usage of that data. With Self-Sovereign Identity or SSI, that can be realized with the help of blockchain technology. The project aims to make citizens the manager and owner of their own data and identity. As such, a citizen can share validated data faster and easier, and always check who has used their data at what time. The City of Antwerp, the Flemish Government and V-ICT-OR are taking the lead in Europe and working in ‘Blockchain on the Move’ together with private and international partners.</em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The protection and management of one’s personal data is becoming increasingly important in the digital world. One way to address this concern is to give people control over their own data. Individuals can then decide for themselves how, when, to whom, and for how long to share information. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Blockchain is a technology that makes it possible to store this data in a decentralized manner - with the individual, rather than in a central database - and also to share information decentrally with third parties. This not only means that no intermediary or authority is involved, but also that only those who have the correct key can open the ‘lock’ and access or use certain data. Moreover, blockchain offers the guarantee that the data is correct and that it has not been accidentally or deliberately altered. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘Blockchain on the Move’ is supported by the Flemish Government within the Programme for Innovation Procurement (PIP) and is a consortium with the City of Antwerp, Digipolis, the Flemish Administration and V-ICT-OR as project partners and Jolocom, the technical partner selected via a market consultation. The consortium wants to use this project to demonstrate that blockchain technology is now sufficiently developed to be used in real situations, such as change of address...</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rolling Out Blockchain on the Move</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier this year, the project partners launched a market survey to find a supplier who could build a software application for digital identity and sharing identity data. Jolocom, a Berlin-based startup specialized in this domain, was selected to develop the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) software as a first building block. The rollout of 'Blockchain on the Move' takes place in 4 phases:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first, current phase focuses on the development of an application for SSI based on blockchain. In practice, this will be an app with which citizens can manage and share their data via their smartphones. This phase runs until the end of February 2019.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the second phase (mid-2019), a first use case will be developed within the 'self-managed identity' module from phase one, more specifically the relocation process (change address).</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a third phase (late 2019), the ‘self-managed identity‘ module will be integrated within the architecture and systems of the different partners involved.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the final phase (beginning of 2020) the building block will also be made available to other authorities and private organizations so that they can use these in their processes</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the end of phases 1 and 3, workshops will be organized for citizens, governments and companies - the future user groups - to present the project and brainstorm about SSI application possibilities. They will be able to use the application in real conditions and provide feedback.</span></p>
<p><strong>More information about the </strong><a href="http://www.innovatieveoverheidsopdrachten.be/projecten/blockchain-move"><strong>Blockchain on the Move</strong></a><strong> partners</strong></p>
<p><strong>Digipolis </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">|</span><strong> </strong><a href="https://antwerpen.digipolis.be/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">antwerpen.digipolis.be</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">As ICT service provider for the city of Antwerp and coordinator of this project, Digipolis has for years been involved in innovative digital government services. The </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPkKemx6NxU&feature=youtu.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ACPaaS platform</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for microservices offered by Digipolis for microservices embeds this innovation in the core of public services.</span></p>
<p><strong>The City of Antwerp</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | </span><a href="https://www.antwerpen.be/nl/home"><span style="font-weight: 400;">antwerpen.be</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City of Antwerp is the smart city of Flanders thanks to its collaborations with innovative knowledge and technology partners and the development of a testing ground for smart 'Internet of Things' technology. Antwerp is therefore an attractive city for developers of connected technology and software. ‘Blockchain on the Move’ is just one of many partnerships in which the city is involved in the digitization of its services. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Through smart technology, Antwerp can become a more mobile and sustainable city for its residents and businesses, where user-friendly digital interactions, greater autonomy and less administration are central. Projects such as Blockchain on the Move, in which citizens can manage their own data and their interactions with the city in a simple and secure manner, are central to that ambition," explains mayor Bart De Wever.</span></p>
<p><strong>Flemish Government</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | </span><a href="https://www.vlaanderen.be/en"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vlaanderen.be</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">AIV (Flemish Information Agency) and AFB (Agency for Facility Services) are participating in this project for the Flemish Government. 'Blockchain on the Move' is supported by the Flemish Government within the framework of the </span><a href="http://www.innovatieveoverheidsopdrachten.be/en/programme-innovation-procurement"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Programme for Innovation Procurement (PIP)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"As identity provider of the Flemish government, we ensure that this project takes into account and connects with the government's ‘electronic identity‘ schemes, so we stay in close contact with the Belgian federal services: the Belgian National Register, the federal authentic source for identity of citizens and the Federal Authentication Service," confirms Daniel Du Seuil, project manager Blockchain at Flanders Information Agency.</span></p>
<p><strong>V-ICT-OR</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | </span><a href="http://www.v-ict-or.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">v-ict-or.be</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">V-ICT-OR is the Flemish ICT organization for local authorities and has the role of project manager and communications in this project. In part thanks to experience in the practical development of digitization processes for cities and municipalities, V-ICT-OR is also the preferred organizational implementation partner once the developed technology has been thoroughly tested.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The ambitions for this project are high, this time we leave the 'proof of concepts' behind us and go for real implementation as the final objective of the project. That is why we start today with the establishment of a consortium of local authorities and private organizations interested in implementing the results and knowledge of this project in their daily activities," says Eddy Van der Stock, Chairman of V-ICT-OR.</span></p>
<p><strong>Jolocom </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">| </span><a href="https://jolocom.io/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">jolocom.io</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jolocom, a startup based in Berlin, builds 'open source' software for decentralized identity and access management with a focus on privacy, security, and interoperability. The company was selected to develop the ‘</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) Building Block’</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> during the first phase, which will run until the end of February 2019.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The Jolocom team is on a mission to build a better system for identity management, a system that allows individuals, organisations, and smart agents to own & control their identity information and data. The opportunity to contribute to the first phase of ‘Blockchain on the Move’ together with the project partners is a huge motivation for us," says Joachim Lohkamp, founder and CEO of Jolocom.</span></p>
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<p><strong>CONTACT</strong></p>
<p><strong>BotM Project Manager</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hugo Kerschot</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T +32 496 564360</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:hugo.kerschot@v-ict-or.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hugo.kerschot@v-ict-or.be</span></a></p>
<p><strong>V-ICT-OR</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eddy Van der Stock</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T +32 477 32 26 16</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:eddy.vds@v-ict-or.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">eddy.vds@v-ict-or.be</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Digipolis</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tobias Verbist</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T +32 3 338 76 30</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:Tobias.Verbist@digipolis.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tobias.Verbist@digipolis.be</span></a></p>
<p><strong>The City of Antwerp - Innovation and Technology Department</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joris Moorthamers</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T +32 478 79 67 18</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:joris.moorthamers@antwerpen.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">joris.moorthamers@antwerpen.be</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Flemish Government - Flanders Information Agency</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Daniel Du Seuil</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T +32 485 70 50 25</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:daniel.duseuil@kb.vlaanderen.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">daniel.duseuil@kb.vlaanderen.be</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Flemish Government - Agency for Facility Services</strong><strong><br /></strong><a href="http://www.innovatieveoverheidsopdrachten.be/frederik.gheys%40kb.vlaanderen.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frederik </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gheys </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T +32 494 76 15 38</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:frederik.gheys@kb.vlaanderen.be"><span style="font-weight: 400;">frederik.gheys@kb.vlaanderen.be</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Jolocom</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kai Wagner</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:kai@jolocom.com"><span style="font-weight: 400;">kai@jolocom.com</span></a></p>
<p> </p>Louis DescheemaeckerSocitm delegation to showcase UK local public service redesign to international audience5aa834dacb9997c0c50005592018-03-13T21:31:05+01:002018-03-13T21:30:18+01:00<p>A delegation from Socitm, the body representing IT and digital professionals across the public sector, is heading to Australia to showcase innovation in UK local government.</p>
<p>The high-level delegation, which comprises Socitm president Geoff Connell, vice president Nicola Graham, and Martin Ferguson, director of policy and research, will attend the MAV Technology Annual Conference in Geelong, Australia, from 18 to 21 March.</p>
<p>More than 300 local government stakeholders from across Australia and around the world will attend the three-day event to discuss current technology trends, the digital maturity of councils, their challenges, the requirements of their communities and how to meet them.</p>
<p>Martin Ferguson will address the conference on how local government is using technology and digital tools to redesign its approach to delivering services that are targeted towards achieving better outcomes.</p>
<p>Geoff Connell will be exploring the role of place-based digital infrastructure in changing service delivery models and considering ways that councils can help communities to help themselves, while Nicola Graham will present aspects of the transformational work underway in Scotland, particularly through their shared Local Government Digital Programme.</p>
<p>The Socitm delegation will be joined by other members of the Linked Organisation of Local Authority ICT Societies (LOLA) including Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the US.</p>
<p>Each of the LOLA professional associations has been invited to nominate a project to represent their country at the International Awards for Excellence, which will be presented at the conference.</p>
<p>Socitm has nominated the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Digital Transformation Service for the prestigious award. The Digital Transformation Service has used a Digital Transactional Toolkit (DTT) to implement more than 20 digital public services rapidly and cost effectively, saving £1.7 million and increasing the ability of the public to interact with Northern Ireland’s government online.</p>
<p>Speaking ahead of his address, Martin said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to showcase examples of digital transformation in local, UK place-based public services to an international audience.</p>
<p>“Events like this are perfect to share knowledge, build contacts, adapt successful solutions pioneered elsewhere and expand the resources available to all our members.”</p>
<p>For more information about Socitm’s international work, please visit <a href="http://www.socitm.net/policy-influence">www.socitm.net/policy-influence</a></p>Elke Van Depoele