What does the future of public administration look like?
There are numerous challenges for public companies. But one is particularly serious. At least according to ARD Chairman Kai Gniffke.
"The greatest threat to humanity is the increasing inability of people to distinguish fakes from reality," explains ARD Chairman and SWR Director General Prof. Dr. Kai Gniffke. In his opinion, a common basis of facts is essential in order to solve problems in a democracy. However, this basis is at risk as technological developments have reached a level of perfection that makes it possible to make deceptions appear credible, he explains. Gniffke emphasizes that this growing danger can only be overcome through trust: "Trust is the only basis, and we must establish this trust."
He admits that ARD has also made mistakes in terms of trust in recent years: "That's why I'm sitting here today - to learn more." Transparency is the key to rebuilding trust. All participants in the opening discussion of this year's Zukunftssalon, which has the motto "Good governance for trust in public organizations", agree on this.
Ideas should come together at Zeppelin University's Zukunftssalon
The Zukunftssalon, which takes place on the Zeppelin University campus in September, brings together leading representatives from Germany's public administrations and companies every year. Current topics from the field of integrated design with administration and public companies and smart government are explored in depth in lectures, discussion panels and workshops.
The event style, characterized by the "salon" format, invites participants to actively contribute to the discourse on social challenges and visions for the future. "We have an idea and a script, but also the flexibility to take up topics in the spirit of a salon," explains Prof. Dr. Ulf Papenfuß, Head of the Chair of Public Management & Public Policy, in his welcoming address.
The topics of good governance and responsible leadership in public administrations and companies are the focus of the discussions, which this year will be attended by the candidates for mayor of Friedrichshafen, Simon Blümcke and Johannes Henne, among others. In addition to the panel discussions and keynote speeches, participants can take part in workshops on topics such as modern leadership development, the role of AI skills, gender equality and the appointment and remuneration of managing directors of public companies.
Under the motto "Good governance deserves praise", the "Award for Reflective Governance Practice" and the "Award for Good Governance Standards" will also be presented by the Expert Commission of the German Public Corporate Governance Model Code as part of an award ceremony.
Stadtwerke Bonn GmbH was awarded the "Prize for Reflective Governance Practice". The "Prize for Good Governance Standards" was awarded to the City of Frankfurt (Oder), the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock and the City of Leverkusen.
Even the mayor of Mannheim has been caught in a hamster wheel before
A special highlight is the evening keynote speech by Christian Specht, Lord Mayor of the City of Mannheim. Specht will talk about his day-to-day work as Lord Mayor and the challenges he faces. One of the realizations he has made in his office is how quickly it is to get caught up in the hamster wheel of everyday life and lose touch with the citizens. For example, only 31.5% of his managers still live in the city.
He himself noticed this particularly during the election campaign, when he ran a door-to-door campaign and was able to see what was actually happening behind the curtains. It was impressive and sometimes deeply depressing. For this reason, he now always tries to organize city excursions.
The Zukunftssalon always offers a good insight into the management level of Germany's public companies. In a room full of dedicated suits, among whom women are unfortunately still in the minority, a wide range of topics are discussed - from strategic challenges to everyday problems. This is certainly an exciting opportunity to exchange ideas and impulses on the future of Germany's public administrations.
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