5 October
All times provided are local (Ottawa, EST)
Wednesday 5 October
18:00 – 19:00
Reception
Co-hosted by the Government of Canada and Global Government Forum
Wednesday 5 October
19:00 – 19:30
Welcome and introductions
Catherine Luelo, Chief Information Officer, Government of Canada (Host)
The Honourable Mona Fortier CP MP, President of the Treasury Board, Government of Canada
Wednesday 5 October
19:30 – 21:30
Digital strategies with impact
Many governments have similar ambitions for their digital capabilities – but a digital strategy is only as effective as its delivery plan, and too many skirt around the complexities of implementation. To drive change, strategies must detail not only the goals to be achieved, but also who’s responsible for delivery and how they’ll be funded, empowered, supported, and held accountable. This session will consider the key requirements of effective delivery, covering topics such as resource allocation, performance metrics, incentives and the role of the centre.
Presentations, followed by group discussion
Presenters
Kevin Cunnington, Former Director General, Government Digital Service (GDS), United Kingdom, and Expert Advisor, Global Government Forum
Asif Poonja, Chief Technology Officer, North America, Fujitsu
Knowledge Partner

Discussions take place over dinner and the session ends at 21:30
6 October
All times provided are local (Ottawa, EST)
Thursday 6 October
09:00 – 10:15
Digital ID: the essential building block
When public bodies share a single digital ID verification and log-in system, citizens enjoy easier access to public services, while providers can more easily coordinate service delivery, share data and cut costs. Indeed, a digital divide is emerging – with countries operating such a system tending to achieve more rapid and widespread transformation than those without. Drawing on GGF’s Digital Leaders research and recognising nations’ very different starting points and operating environments, this session will explore how civil service leaders can best design, develop and introduce digital ID systems.
Including presentations and discussion
Presenters
Magdalena Zadara, Head of Product, Digital Service, Germany
Astrid Desset, Director General, Open Administration Consortium, Open Government of Catalonia (Spain)
Soltan Bayramov, Deputy Director, e-Gov Development Center, Azerbaijan
Session followed by refreshment break
Thursday 6 October
10:45 – 12:15
Creating and transforming interdepartmental services
To realise many of the opportunities around digital technologies, public bodies must work together closely on project management – developing new cross-departmental systems, exchanging data and sharing the work of service delivery. But in many countries, vertical systems of funding, governance and accountability present barriers to those developing interdepartmental programs. Focusing on strategic and leadership issues such as joint project oversight, resourcing models, stakeholder management and the role of elected leaders, this session will examine the skills, systems and techniques required to make a success of cross-departmental projects.
Including presentations and discussion
Presenters
Clare Martorana, Federal Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, United States of America
Andri Heiðar Kristinsson, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Iceland, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Iceland
Megan Lee, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Government Central Digital and Data Office, United Kingdom
Session followed by networking lunch
Thursday 6 October
13:15 – 15:15
Developing the digital workforce
Governments’ digital workforces have developed rapidly over the last decade, but their ambitions on digital transformation are growing even faster – and many are struggling to compete against private sector employers in tight jobs markets. This session will consider how civil services can best develop their digital capabilities, focusing on two key issues identified in Global Government Forum’s Digital Leaders research programme: the strengthening of cross-government workforce management and talent development; and the recruitment and retention of senior digital leaders.
Including presentations and discussion
Presenters
Stephen Burt, Chief Data Officer, Government of Canada
Cristina Akemi Shimoda Uechi, Advisor to the General Coordinator of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil
Kirsten Tisdale, Managing Partner, EY Canada
Alison Pritchard, Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Data Capability, Office for National Statistics, United Kingdom
Knowledge Partner
Session followed by refreshment break
Thursday 6 October
15:45-17:15
Escaping the legacy trap
Today’s digital technologies can radically transform service delivery – but few countries are starting from a blank slate, and many find their options limited by legacy IT systems. Replacing these outdated technologies is a complex and expensive task, with risks around service continuity; but meanwhile, the maintenance costs, security vulnerabilities and service delivery constraints of ageing legacy systems continue to grow. In this session, digital leaders will consider how to secure the funding, build the capabilities and secure the support required to successfully replace legacy systems.
Including presentations and discussion
Presenters
Ann Dunkin, Chief Information Officer, Department of Energy, United States of America
Melvin Greer, Fellow and Chief Data Scientist for the Americas, Intel
Gayan Peiris, Head of Data and Technology, Chief Digital Office, United Nations Development Programme
Knowledge Partner
Thursday 6 October
17:15-17:30
Summary and thanks
Summit concludes 17:30