(By invitation only) [Public Seminar] Enhancing Cohesiveness and Transparency of Public Services through Public Sector Information – The Experiences in the Cities of Helsinki Metropolitan Area

Date/Time
Date(s): 26/11/2014
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location
Efficiency Unit (HKSAR Government), 41/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai

Language: English

Admission: By invitation only

Event Partner(s): This event is organized in cooperation with the with the Efficiency Unit ( HKSAR Government).

Speaker(s):Tanja Lahti, Project Manager, Helsinki Region Infoshare

CLICK TO READ SPEAKER’S BIOGRAPHY:

Ms.Tanja Lahti

Event Summary:

Mr. Salkeld gave an introduction about public sector information (PSI) and the current OGCIO platform for PSI. ‘Data.One’ is a portal for accessing public data. He explained that opening PSI can help reduce demand on public services, help citizens contribute via these data and help them become partners and genuine citizens.  He concluded that good use of open data is not a matter of technology but a matter of people and citizens.

Ms.Tanja Lahti briefed the audience about information policies in the Helsinki Region as well as some initiatives for engaging citizens to participate. Examples given included ‘Participatory Budgeting’, ‘Restaurant Day’, ‘Open House Helsinki’, ‘Service Design’ and the new Central Library. Focusing on Open Data, Ms. Lahti mentioned that cities of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area strongly support opening public data by creating Helsinki Region Infoshare in 2010. Public datasets released by this organization have been part of the normal operation in the region ever since. The initiative is seen to help efficiency, transparency and democracy in the government. Business innovation can also benefit from these data sets. The scope of openness in Helsinki is very large and covers many areas. Some weeks ago, for example, the City of Helsinki released all public procurement information, leading to lively media reporting on how the public sector is spending taxpayers’ money.

Ms. Lahti explained that there could be quite many challenges in opening up data, such as lack of motivation and resources, juridical and technical issues, fear of misuse and feedback, and others. All these may require a change of working culture.

Click to download the presentation content:
‘Enhancing Cohesiveness and Transparency of Public Services through Public Sector Information – The Experiences in the Cities of Helsinki Metropolitan Area’ (By Tanja Lahti)

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