Distinguished as salient drivers of sustainable digital transformation, 60 coverage makers and leaders have simply concluded a two-day workshop in direction of Altering Mindsets for Innovation and Digital Transformation in Saint Lucia.
The workshop was organized by way of a collaborative effort involving United Nations Division of Financial and Social Affairs (DESA); Financial Fee for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); Caribbean Centre for Public Administration (CARICAD) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Workplace for Barbados & the Jap Caribbean (UN RCO).
Small Island Creating States (SIDS) like Saint Lucia, have been persistently lagging different comparable economies within the creating world on the trail to sustainable improvement, on account of compounding crises equivalent to pure disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Selling innovation and digital transformation can doubtlessly assist to ‘construct again higher’ by delivering companies in a more practical and inclusive manner, significantly to underserved, rural, bodily disconnected, and in any other case marginalized segments of society.
Nonetheless, the general public sector seems to come across a capability problem in delivering change and transformation, with challenges being skilled in relation to mindsets, capability, processes, and proper skillsets. Implementing efficient, accountable, and inclusive governance and establishments, and pursuing alternatives for innovation and digital transformation, together with digital companies, may construct resilience by way of progressive structural adjustments, and mitigate geographical remoteness.
On this regard, the workshop aimed to foster intensive dialogue on key points, challenges, priorities, and alternatives for altering mindsets in help of innovation and digital transformation in Saint Lucia, offering sound and progressive recommendation to authorities officers and different related stakeholders, on the significance of adjusting mindsets for innovation and digital transformation for long-term institutional improvement and companies provision. One other key consequence was to strategize and agree on key priorities for inclusion and updating of Saint Lucia’s Digital Transformation Technique. Thirdly, the workshop additionally sought to boost capacities of the Member State to strengthen public establishments and public companies supply to help the implementation of the SDGs utilizing the Curriculum on Governance toolkit on Altering Mindsets for SDGs Implementation.
Everlasting Secretary within the Ministry of the Public Service, Janet Barnard, welcomed the contributors and reiterated the federal government’s prioritization of digital connectivity which she affirmed is well-aligned with the priorities outlined within the United Nations’ 2024-25 Nation Implementation Plan for Saint Lucia, which highlights digital connectivity as one in every of six key transition areas designed to ship catalytic and multiplier results throughout the SDGs.
Throughout her opening remarks, Dr. Virgina Albert Poyotte, Minister with accountability for the Public Service famous that the federal government of Saint Lucia has declared 2024-25 the “12 months of
Infrastructure,” with explicit concentrate on digital public infrastructure, to incorporate e-government companies and telecommunications connectivity. She knowledgeable that Saint Lucia is at present repositioning and rebranding its public service to enhance service supply. In keeping with Minister Poyotte, “digital transformation of public sector just isn’t a selection however a necessity” to make sure that companies are accessible, environment friendly, and attentive to the wants of Saint Lucians., to boost public service supply and enhance the lives of residents.
Digital Transformation is turning into more and more indispensable globally, and Saint Lucia isn’t any exception. Coverage makers should ,due to this fact, be open to the probabilities provided by information mining, synthetic intelligence (AI) and machine studying which may open countless alternatives to modernize and enhance service supply.
Saint Lucia’s Director of Public Sector Modernization, Marlon Narcisse, advocated that ‘efficient digital transformation is in the present day as important to sustainable financial improvement and good governance, as well being care, constructing infrastructure, social programmes, citizen safety and training.” To digitally rework in a sustainable method, he maintained “we should undertake a digital mindset and suppose digital by default”.
The consultations had been held on the Bel Jou lodge in Castries from August 6-7. Day 1 comprised senior authorities officers together with ministers, everlasting secretaries, deputy everlasting secretaries, heads of division. Different officers together with the Chief Govt Officer of the St. Judes Hospital, the Director of Partnerships on the Sir Arthur Lewis Group Faculty; the Senior Supervisor for Assortment and Compliance on the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority; and the Communications Specialist on the Saint Lucia Bureau of Requirements had been additionally in attendance. Day 2 primarily comprised data techniques directors and managers.
Taking part UN businesses included UN DESA, UN ECLAC and UNDP. This initiative is underneath the aegis of the “Innovation, Digital Authorities Transformation and Altering Mindsets within the Caribbean SIDS” mission which goals to strengthen public sector nationwide capacities for Innovation, Digital Authorities Transformation and Altering Mindsets in three Caribbean SIDS (The Bahamas, Guyana, and Saint Lucia).
