A reflection by Ms Krislin Kivi – Coordinator of the 3^rd Young EUROSAI Conference

When the Young EUROSAI (YES) initiative emerged in 2013, two auditors from our office (the National Audit Office of Estonia) were sent to the YES Conference in Rotterdam. It was a first-of-a-kind event within EUROSAI – a conference from young to young. The two participants returned in sparkling eyes and positive emotions. It was obvious that the event had been truly refreshing and stimulating.

When the invitation dropped into our mailbox for the 2^nd YES Conference in Jerusalem, I was bound to apply. The fortune smiled on me and the next thing I knew, I was flying to Israel in November 2015.  I hosted a workshop, attended several of others, and enjoyed myself a lot. At that point, I didn’t even imagine yet that I’d also be able to see the other side of YES – organising the whole thing!

You might ask – what’s so special about YES then? For me, it is not an easy task to define YES. Yes, it’s a conference, but not just a conference. It’s a network of young, inspired, enthusiastic professionals. YES is driven by innovation and the courage to think big! Yet, each YES Conference is one of a kind and with a different focus.

In September 2017, young professionals from EUROSAI member and partner institutions met in Tallinn, Estonia for the 3^rd Young EUROSAI Conference. The 3^rd YES Conference, entitled Updates Available, focussed on the impacts of data and digitalisation on the work of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). During the four conference days, nearly 90 bright-eyed participants from more than 40 SAIs shared their ideas, practice and experience with data and auditing.

It was evident from the speeches, discussions and workshops held at the conference that the digital information economy is posing challenges to SAIs at organisational as well as individual level. Not only needs the auditors’ skillset to adapt the context, the surroundings – i.e. the organisation – need to support that development.

It also revealed from the numerous workshop sessions held that the problems with data in the auditing arena are wide-ranging. Nevertheless, we should see data as something that creates opportunities rather than problems – in the society as well the audit process. It is not necessary to be afraid of automating yourself out of work, we should rather embrace the tools of the digital age and try to implement these in our work. Furthermore, there are still certain processes, that are unlikely to be taken over by automated tools, e.g. communicating and disseminating the message of the audit, or giving a final opinion in the report. An auditor of the digital age is likely to have a different perspective on problems as well as solutions, because (s)he is not afraid of change, nor the possibility of failing in the process.

Moreover, audit is a part of a democratic governance system, and therefore, right this moment, audit co-designs the future appearance of the governance and public services. Young auditors feel that the role of auditing is to contribute to lean governance and efficiency, as well as to control and audit the ‘machine’ behind the government actions. This is a role that will not diminish even when the governance processes are to a large extent automatized, optimised, and digitalised.

Next to the discussions and experience sharing, the YES conference carries an additional substantial value. The Young EUROSAI Conference provides a unique opportunity for young professionals to build up an international professional network. Something that one can never compare against value for money… but for us is the more than invaluable!

As mentioned, I have been a part of YES as a participant and workshop leader, and as an organiser – and both were absolutely inspiring experiences. I believe that the biggest value of YES lies in the enthusiasm of the young, the excitement and willingness of organisers and participants; and it is important not set too many boundaries on this enthusiasm. It is vital that the YES initiative remains agile and flexible - it is the YES spirit and network that benefits SAIs the most.

I hope that YES has inspired many individual auditors and institutions within EUROSAI but will also encourage other SAIs and regions within INTOSAI to pick up similar exciting initiatives. I also wish the best of luck to the next host of the Young EUROSAI Conference in 2019, the SAI of United Kingdom!