Editor: Sue GossPart of the new government agenda is a changed relationship between the state and citizens - making government more accountable to local people. The most important contact that the average citizen has with government is through the staff of public organizations, so that changing the relationship inevitably means changing the roles and behaviours of these public organizations. 

For those not able to get along to the Queen Elizabeth II conference center in London on 26 September to take part in the E-champion conference, all is not lost. They can log in to a webcast and see and hear how e-government is transforming public sector organisations, employment and social inclusion from an international perspective. 

A new group has been set up within the Cabinet Office to steer Civil Service reform. When the Modernising Government White Paper was published in 1999 the task of driving through the changes was given to the Civil Service Management Board, which is made up of the heads of departments. With the arrival of Sir Andrew Turnbull to head the Civil Service, a new look has been taken at the reform programme and how it is to be managed.