Since 2017, FWD50’s global community has brought together a global community of public servants, technologists, and civic innovators. Our annual conference returns November 6-8, both in-person in Ottawa and online around the world.
Since 2017, FWD50’s global community has brought together a global community of public servants, technologists, and civic innovators. Our annual conference returns November 6-8, both in-person in Ottawa and online around the world.
Throughout the year, we interview authors, public servants, and digital innovators from around the world. We also publish thought-provoking essays on our core themes, and survey government employees on public sector transformation.
Here are some of our most recent updates; you can check out past updates as well.
We’ve added plenty of new content and activations to this November’s conference. In addition to an expanded in-person venue, we’re running a three-week Executive Cohort exclusively for digital executives. In addition to hands-on workshops at Lansdowne Park, we’re adding virtual workshops. And we’re using a new online platform for improved networking and impromptu discussions.
We’re also working with some of the Canadian Federal Government’s largest departments on department-wide passes, allowing every employee to participate in the world’s largest gathering of public sector innovators.
Want a taste of what’s in store? Check out this 2022 recap reel:
You can also watch sessions from last year’s event, including keynotes from bestselling authors and leading public service executives, absolutely free of charge. We translate, caption, and publish these talks on our community platform.
We’ve welcomed over a thousand speakers to our stage. While we’ll be announcing the complete lineup once we’ve reviewed and confirmed the overwhelming response we received to this year’s Call for Proposals, here are just a few of the speakers we’ve already announced.
Government runs on information, and it’s your job to keep it running smoothly while upgrading old systems and incorporating new approaches.
FWD50 has the kind of workshops, case studies, and expert voices to help you shape the platforms on which tomorrow’s governments will run.
Modern society is a partnership between the public and private sector. To keep up with rapid, pervasive change, governments need the help of disruptors in industry.
Whether you want to attend, speak, or help support the event, FWD50 is the best way to connect with your public service counterparts and chart the course of digital government together.
Digital-first services are better for citizens, cheaper to maintain, and more cost-efficient. But building and leading teams remains a challenge.
Through bestselling authors, peer-led learning, and our new Executive Cohort, FWD50 gives leaders the tools they need to rethink government in a digital age.
Each year, our conference links academic theory with practical deployment. We bridge research on procurement, cultural change, technology ethics, and other vital topics with the day-to-day challenges of service delivery, compliance, and budgets.
In the liminal space between public service and private enterprise lives, a thriving “third estate” of civic technologists. This “digital peace corps” gives innovators a chance to contribute to society, challenging norms and accelerating tech adoption.
Each year, we partner with leading civic tech organizations around the world on stage takeovers, research, and vibrant discussions.
Gone are the days of “fire-and-forget” lawmaking that has no regard for the implementation of legislation. Today, policy and implementation go hand-in-hand, with digital possibilities informing outdated laws.
Navigating this new, iterative world means connecting policymakers with those responsible for building and operating the resulting services, which is a core element of the FWD50 curriculum.
There are plenty of ways to participate in the world’s leading digital government gathering:
FWD50 wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and content partners. Most of the world’s leading technology firms have helped us put on FWD50; here’s who’s supporting us this year: