It's been happening for some time now...

Since the late 2000s, there has been a shift in the way governments do business – from simply deciding the best for citizens to pausing to think more deeply about what people really want. These governments have discovered that by placing the citizen at the front and centre of what they do, they provide better service and foster greater trust.

So, if you haven’t received the memo yet, here it is in black and white: Say goodbye to the days of “Government knows best” and get ready for a new era of citizen engagement. The head of Civil Service, Mr Peter Ong, told Challenge, “We are past carrying on with business as usual. Singaporeans want to play a larger role in matters that affect their lives and they want greater accountability from the Government. We must engage our citizens well and create a stronger connection and sense of community; work better within and across agencies; and inspire trust through our conduct. These are challenging but exciting times.”

To cut the rhetoric and get to the more practical aspects of “how to achieve all that”, Challenge has put together seven “How To” articles to share how some have already begun to think differently. It’s not an Instruction Manual, mind you, but a collection of insights that we think will be useful to the everyday work of public officers and their leaders. Are you ready to explore a brave new world of governance?