Programme structure

• Day 1: Setting the stage: Why do we need agile governance?
• Day 2: Designing agile governance systems
• Day 3: Artificial intelligence, big data, and governance
• Day 4: Opportunities and threats for democracy in agile governance

After a first day of introduction, aimed at shedding light on the concept and tools of agile governance, Day 2 will feature interactive sessions on how to design agile governance systems, how to use foresight and horizon scanning in support of adaptive policymaking, with concrete examples and a group debate with guests from the OECD. Day 3 will be dedicated to the emerging approaches to the regulation of Artificial Intelligence and big data; and also to a discussion of how AI and Big Data can support agile governance through key techniques such as machine learning for predictive analytics. Participants will discuss with data scientists the opportunities and challenges of deploying AI and big data in government, and possible measures to promote the trustworthy use of these powerful technologies. Day 4 will focus on how an inclusive policy process can strengthen government agility by leveraging public private partnerships and engaging with citizens in co-designing future policy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the Summer School programme, participants will be able to:

• Describe the notion of agile governance, and the ways in which it can strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience.
• Compare different approaches to agile governance design, from the business and the public sector point of view.
• Determine how horizon scanning and strategic foresight contribute to a more agile policymaking process.
• Examine opportunities and challenges of AI and big data in government.
• Recognise ways in which effective public-private partnerships and an inclusive policy process can strengthen government agility.

Who should attend

• Policymakers at all levels of government
• Senior and mid-career civil servants
• Senior staff in corporations delivering public services
• Early- and mid-career lawyers and economic consultants
• Staff in tech companies developing tools for government
• Researchers focusing on tech and governance

Scholarships are available for candidates from the Western Balkans and the European Neighbourhood.

The ETGN Secretariat at the EUI School of Transnational Governance will sponsor five scholarships for exceptional candidates from the Western Balkans and the countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) to attend the first edition of the ETGN Summer School. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is 5 June 2022. More information regarding the eligibility, the application process, and the conditions of the scholarship can be found here.

We encourage early registration as places are given on a rolling basis. For information on the cancellation policy applicable to this course, please see here.