Agenda

The world doesn't change when everyone knows something. Humans are social animals, and we often fear ostracism and disapproval more than physical risk or even death. We often speak out only when we know it's safe to do so. That means change relies on common knowledge: The moment when everyone knows everyone else knows something. In this talk, FWD50 co-chair Alistair explains why this simple fact has made us slow to act on wicked problems like climate change, why a vocal minority can hold back progress, why perception becomes reality, and why the best communicators value simplicity over accuracy. See More.

Government has spent the last two decades evolving from e-government to digital government — shifting from simply putting paper forms online to designing end-to-end services that help people get things done. See More.

In a time of information abundance, when we live with encyclopedias and wonder-cabinets at our fingertips, most people are simultaneously suffering from information poverty. See More.

Working in digital modernization and the public service is an often thankless task. But in an era of rapid change and public scrutiny, clear communications are essential. See More.

Kate Tarling, author of The Service Organization and former senior UK Government leader, will share practical approaches to designing public services that work effectively for citizens and organizations alike. See More.

We rarely notice healthy systems until they fail. The Government of Canada’s enterprise health approach is changing that, using design and clear communication to show what’s working, where the gaps are, and why it matters. See More.

Like most of us, you probably never think twice about turning on a faucet and filling a cup of water. But what if it did run out? Several times a month? This is the reality for the Indigenous people of Kativik, a remote territory in Northern Quebec. See More.

Learn how to integrate accessibility into your design workflows without slowing down delivery. See More.

Narratives are at the core of democracies, influencing public discourse and perceptions, making it critical for all members of society and essential for those interested in advancing public policy to develop strong digital and media literacy skills. See More.