Public administration in the European Union’s (EU) Member States is undergoing a fundamental digital transformation. Despite varying rates of progress across the EU, this digitalization process is driven by various factors: an ambition for a streamlined and citizen-centric future for public administration, the need of achieving a more efficient public administration process, the tendency to control, identify or predict behaviour of those enjoying or seeking civil services as well as to predict criminal behaviour. This transformation raises numerous ethical questions and concerns, which have up until now been largely dealt with on an ad-hoc basis.

DEO4PA project aims to reduce ethical, social and legal risks in the digitalization process of public administrations (PA), ensuring transparent and safe operations, respect for democratic principles, fundamental rights such as privacy and data protection, ethical supervision of digital processes and a culture of ethics among civil servants.  

Throughout the learning program, the proficiency measurement at the entry level, competency testing for each training module and the final competency level assessment are interlinked processes providing a comprehensive evaluation of the training's effectiveness, culminating in a score that determines eligibility for a certification.  

The DEO4PA programme contains 10 modules of which 7 are theoretical, 2 practical and 1 mixed. Before each online session, participants should cover the obligatory readings provided for the module and complete the self-assessment test on the learning platform, as part of the asynchronous learning. 

The practical modules (Modules 7 and 9) do not have a self-assessment test since there are implementation sessions of the theoretical modules previously taught. Modules 9 and 10 include two case studies that are shared for review before the class. The learning period will be culminated by a final test assessment.   

The course corresponds to EQF level 5.

Course structure:

• Module 1. Foundations of Digital Technology - October 31 2024 I 11am-1pm - By Marijn Janssen
• Module 2. Foundations of Digital Ethics - November 14 2024 I 11am-1pm - By Björn Fasterling
• Module 3. Foundations of Digital Law - December 12 2024 I 11am-1pm - By Maria Rebrean
• Module 4. Foundations of Digital Technology & Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law - January 16 2025 -from 11am to 1pm (CET) - By Catelijne Muller
• Module 5. Human-Technology Interaction - January 23 2025
• Module 6. Negotiation, Argumentation, and Interpersonal Communication - January 30 January 2025 I 11am-1pm - By Frank Lavadoux
• Module 7. Negotiation, Argumentation, and Interpersonal Communication – Implementation Session - February 13 2025 I 11am-1pm - By Frank Lavadoux
• Module 8. Moral Case Deliberation (MCD) - February 27 2025 I 11am-1pm - By (TBC)
• Module 9. MCD – Implementation Session - March 6 2025 I 11am-1pm - (TBC)
• Module 10. 7-Steps towards Digital Ethics – Approach and implementation - March 13 2025 I 10am-1pm -By Catelijne Muller

Objectives:

• Understand the digital transformation of public administration (PA) in EU Member States.
• Explore the drivers of digitalization, including the ambition for a citizen-centric and efficient public administration.
• Analyse the ethical, social, and legal risks associated with the digitalization of PA.
• Develop strategies to ensure transparency, safety, and respect for democratic principles in digital processes.
• Promote fundamental rights such as privacy and data protection in PA digitalization.
• Examine the relationship between digital technology, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
• Build ethical supervision and foster a culture of ethics among civil servants.
• Gain proficiency in Moral Case Deliberation and applying the 7-Steps towards Trustworthy AI.

With a commitment to continuous improvement, the DEO4PA pilot course is poised to set a benchmark for digital ethics training in public administration. While equipping civil servants with the necessary expertise and fostering an environment of open and critical communication about digitalization, the course contributes significantly to the effective and ethical digitalization of public services across the EU.