In times of uncertainty, people turn their eyes towards public power. Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) such as blockchain are claimed to bring new opportunities for more secure, agile, transparent and cost-effective public governance. Meanwhile blockchain is labeled as big hype for nothing.

In this virtual event, we will bring stakeholders together to discuss the effects of DLT in public services, the role of technology in government and examine what these could and should mean in terms of policy. The event also acts as the launch of the Horizon 2020 funded TOKEN (Transformative Impact Of Blockchain Technologies in Public Services) project in Finland.

Tentative schedule

10:30 OPENING: The possibilities of blockchain policies

Introduction to the vision of Token-project and blockchain policies

Johannes Anttila and Johannes Mikkonen, Demos Helsinki

Johannes Anttila and Johannes Mikkonen are senior experts working in the Governance Innovation -team of Demos Helsinki. They are responsible for TOKEN Policy Observatories, which mobilizes European policy-makers and representatives of public authorities to co-create technical, political and academic understanding of using distributed ledger technologies in public administration

10.45 KEYNOTE: PROVING TO EACH OTHER THAT WE DID THE RIGHT THING : maintaining trust in government using the blockchain

Vinay Gupta, Founder and CEO of Mattereum

Vinay Gupta is a leading figure in the blockchain space, having co-ordinated the release of the blockchain platform Ethereum in July 2015, and was strategic architect for ConsenSys Systems, a technology hub focusing on the Ethereum blockchain and related applications.

11:05 LIGHTNING SPEECHES on possibilities and challenges of implementing blockchain in public administration and services

Juho Lindman is an associate professor of informatics in the Department of Applied IT at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and the director of the University of Gothenburg Blockchain Lab).

Kimmo Mäkinen is a senior advisor at the Ministry of Finance, working in the Information and Communication Technology Department of Public Administration. He advises on advanced technology innovations and concepts including but not limited to Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

11:20 Q&A

11:30 GROUP DISCUSSION

Facilitated discussion in small groups on possibilities and challenges of blockchain policies. Opportunity for networking and exchange of ideas.

11:50 SUMMARY & CLOSING REMARKS

12:00 END

Blockchain Policy for the Future of Public Services