Over the past five years, I’ve watched as the public sector has become more comfortable with, and in some cases has even embraced and pushed forward, the use of “social media technology” and “enterprise 2.0 software” to transform the way government work is done.  The promise of technological conveniences is truly enticing, especially to an increasing impatient, technology equipped workforce, who have grand visions for the future of government. A large part of the change is lead by “Digital Natives” – people who have grown up in a connected world and have different attitudes, approaches and habits than those in preceding generations. And, while there is no doubt that the way we work in government is changing at a speed that is increasingly uncomfortable for many digital skeptics, a number of questions remain unanswered about what the future of government truly looks like in this new world. For example, what are the implications of growing up in a society that always remembers and never forgets?  What are the ramifications for organizations navigating a world with more and more digital interactions and communications? What does this mean for government leaders who are trying to cope with the information overload, which is only amplified by each new wave of technology?

These are a few of the questions we will be discussing at the Nobel Public Services Summit in Stockholm this December.  In a session called “A Public Sector Where Digital Natives Thrive” we will be exploring how the public sector will evolve in the Digital Age and we will compare and contrast the roles of the Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, and Digital Skeptics in this new digital landscape.

We hope to create an interactive, technology-enabled session so that YOU can participate alongside (digitally speaking) with the public sector delegates to collaborate, debate, and vote on a number of discussion related questions. During the event we will use #PSS09 and #PSS09DN.  But, in preparation for the session, we are asking for your participation in helping us answer three questions related to the future of government in the digital age which are included below.  We’ve setup three easy ways for you to share your input – a simple web interface, a twitter poll, or texting capability.  Additionally, we hope that you will share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment here.

So, what do YOU think?

1.  Should privacy be sacrificed for transparency?

Vote one of 3 Ways:
a.   Online poll
b.   Twitter – tweet @poll 46463 for Yes, @poll 46464 for No
c.   Text to +447624806527 – 46463 for Yes, 46464 for No

2.  Should the integration of devices, workplaces and “boundary-less” organizations be a top priority for the public sector?

Vote one of 3 Ways:
a.   Online poll
b.   Twitter – tweet @poll 46462 for Yes, @poll 46465 for No
c.   Text to +447624806527 – 46462 for Yes, 46465 for No

3.  Should public sector workers be allowed to post content in real-time using social media technologies without management approval?

Vote one of 3 Ways:
a.  Online poll
b.  Twitter – tweet @poll 46466 for Yes, @poll 46467 for No
c.  Text to +447624806527 – 46466 for Yes, 46467 for No