“What is the context and the environment that needs to be created to enable the next big idea or ideas [in local government]?"

This was just one of the many provocative questions considered by a five-member panel of local government leaders and experts during the live-streamed ICMA Leading Ideas Series webcast, “The Next Big Thing: Local government’s Next 100 Years.”

Watch the video of the webcast by using the streaming player below.

Read a transcript of the Next Big Thing webcast here.

Participants focused on the issues that will drive local government in the future (e.g., demographic changes, the “greying” of community populations, the impact of technology, fiscal challenges, resident engagement, and others);  the characteristics communities need to cultivate to become more resilient and sustainable; and the skills local government managers need to acquire to lead their communities in the future. 

Thanks to the many followers who tweeted during the discussion! Here are a few quotable quotes:

• “We need to do a better job of sharing our stories in local government.”
• “How can ‘civic alliances’ that involve leaders from government, business and non-profit sector support ‘regional citizenship’?”
• “At the end of the day, cities are for people. Citizens and technology must work together.”
• “Original purpose of local government was not to be a service provider but a forum to decide what we could [do] together. Convener role.”
• “Engagement, transparency, accountability and performance—an overlay of ethical behavior that builds public trust.”

The Next Big Thing webcast panel, led by ICMA Executive Director Bob O’Neill, featured Shannon Flanagan-Watson, assistant county manager/business ombudsman, Arlington County, Virginia; Marc Ott, city manager, Austin, Texas;  John Nalbandian, professor emeritus, Kansas University; and Rebecca Ryan, Futurist and Founder of Next Generation Consulting.

The webcast took place from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on March 18 and was co-sponsored by ICMA and the Alliance for Innovation (AFI).  To read more comments, go to #ICMANBT.