UNPAN Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 1 - February 2008

The mission of the United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance (UNPAN) is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices throughout the world in sound public policies, effective public administration and efficient civil services, through capacity-building and cooperation among the United Nations Member States, with emphasis on south-south cooperation and UNPAN's commitment to integrity and excellence.

UNPAN NEWS HEADLINES
Upgrading of UNPAN Portal
UNPAN is currently updating its existing portal with an open source web content management system. Most of the existing web pages have been redesigned and migrated to the new system. The entire event and contact databases have also been migrated to the new portal. The portal will be launched internally between UNPAN partners after the migration and testing of the new functionality. The scheduled date for the internal launch is 15 February 2008. The portal will be available to general public soon after the internal launch.

UNPAN Online Training Centre
The recently revised and updated training programme will be open for registration in February 2008.  The new interactive course has made learning the essentials of e-government even more accessible, with graphics that effectively illustrate complex concepts, quizzes that reinforce key points and a glossary that facilitates the understanding of discipline specific terminology.  Please check the web site regularly for more information and updates.
URL: http://unpan3.un.org/tlm40/Login.aspx

IN THIS ISSUE
· News from AAPAM
· News from ASPA
· News from CGG
· News from CLAD
· News from CPSI
· News from DPADM
· News from ECE
· News from ESCWA
· News from ICAP
· News from ICCE
· News from IIAS
· News from IPMA-HR
· News from NASPAA
· News from OFPA
· News from RCOCI
· News from UNCRD
 UNPAN LINKS
· UNPAN Web Site
· UNPAN Calendar of Events
· International
· Africa
· Arab States
· Asia & Pacific
· Europe
· Latin America & Caribbean
· North America
· What's New
· UNPAN Newsletter

NEWS FROM AAPAM
African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM)
http://www.aapam.org

Recent Publications

Conference Information
Workshop for Enhancing Leadership Capacity Development of the African Public Service Commissions and Other Service Commissions
Dates: 7-11 April 2008
Location: Kampala, Uganda
URL: http://www.unpan.org/directory/conference/guest/dropdownconferences.asp

NEWS FROM ASPA
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
http://www.aspanet.org

2008 International Conference on Public Administration (4th ICPA) Seeks Paper Proposals
The 2008 International Conference on Public Administration (4th ICPA): Building Bridges to the Future: Leadership and Collaboration in Public Administration is seeking paper proposals. The conference, co-sponsored by ASPA, will be held 24-26 September 2008 at the University of Minnesota.
URL: http://www.icpa-uestc.cn

ASPA Signs Agreement with Mexico's National Institute for Public Administration (INAP)
Given ASPA's and INAP's shared interest in improving public administration, this agreement of November 2007 will enable the two organizations to work together more effectively on shared programmes. ASPA now will focus on finding a partner organization to administer the MOU with INAP.

Recent Publications

Conference Information
Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA) National Conference
Theme: "Meeting Public Service Challenges Through Strategic Collaborations"
Dates:  13-17 February 2008
Location: Hamilton, Bermuda
Contact: Dr. Shantuan Coleman
E-mail: msshantuan@yahoo.com
URL: http://www.natcompa.org/conferences.html

69th Annual ASPA Conference
Theme: "Transformational Public Administration: A Call for Public Service"
Dates: 7-11 March 2008
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Contact: Mrs. Antoinette Samuel
E-mail: tsamuel@aspanet.org
URL: http://www.aspanet.org/2008conference

NEWS FROM CGG
Centre for Good Governance (CGG)
http://www.cgg.gov.in

CGG Nominates Agencies for United Nations Public Service Award
CGG, on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has nominated two government agencies for the 2008 UNPAN Public Service Award. CGG has also acknowledged the Government of India and various states for nominating outstanding public agencies for the UN awards.

Recent Publications

Conference Information
National Consultation on Urban Poverty Alleviation (Resource Mobilisation for Urban Poverty Alleviation & Livelihood Generation - MIS & GIS)
Date: February 2008
Location: Hyderabad, India
Contact: Vivek Misra
E-mail: vivekmisra@cgg.gov.in

NEWS FROM CLAD
Latin American Centre for Development Administration (CLAD)
http://www.clad.org.ve

XXI Concurso del CLAD sobre Reforma del Estado y Modernización de la Administración Pública (2008)
Theme: "Calidad y excelencia en la gestión pública"
Essays will be received until 30 June 2008.

Updated sections of SIARE (in Spanish)
- Social Control and Transparency in the Public Management
The section contains the results of research carried on by CLAD related to citizen participation and social control in the public affairs, which is intended to contribute to the improvement of democratization in Latin America's public administrations. The section includes the review of on-line mechanisms for parliamentary participation. Also are published methodologies, guides, links and documents of interest.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/innotend/control.html

- Citizen Charters
The section contains the description of the respective programs implemented in Argentina, Mexico and Spain. The section includes methodologies, guides, links and documents of interest.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/innotend/cartascompr.html

- Innovations and Tendencies in E-Government in Latin America
The section presents experiences and best practices in E-Government as a means to get the State nearer to its citizens.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/innotend/gobelec.html

- Research and Training Activities Related to Public Affairs
This database allows users to review undergraduate and post-graduate study opportunities - doctorate, master and specialization - in public administration, public policies and similar disciplines. For each reviewed course, it provides information about objectives, regularity, duration, international accreditation, scholarships and requirements, among other aspects.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/insti/insti_f.html

- Structure and Institutional Profiles of the State
This section provides systematized information about the institutional profiles which characterize the States and Public Administrations in countries in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula.  Bearing in mind recent changes in State powers, the information is grouped according to a selective number of categories, as follows: State Structure; Public Administration Control Organisms; Regulatory Agencies, particularly privatized public services; and Political and Administrative State Structure.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/perfiles/inicio.html

- Juridical Basis of Public Institutionality
With a view to supporting legislative development processes, this section enumerates the titles of juridical norms - and in some cases the full text - underlying State Reform and Modernization processes underway in Public Administrations in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Iberian Peninsula. The said norms are organized according to relevant categories.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/basesju/inicio.html

- Professional Development of the Civil Service in the Framework of the New Public Management
The advances from the experiences of Mexico in this field has been updated. Official reports, civil service units, key documents, methodologies and web sites are also presented.
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/siare/innotend/profesion.html

Recent Publications

Conference Information
Foro Regional sobre E-learning en la Formación de Funcionarios Públicos
Dates: 27-28 March 2008
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
E-mail: clad@clad.org.ve

XIII International Congress of CLAD on State and Public Administration Reform
Dates: Nov. 4-7, 2008
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
E-mail: clad@clad.org.ve
URL: http://www.clad.org.ve/congreso/congri.html

During the Congress, recognized specialists will present plenary conferences, namely:
  • Guillermo O'Donnell, Helen Kellogg Professor of Government, Universidad de Notre Dame, Estados Unidos; y Director, Centro de Investigaciones sobre el Estado y la Democracia (CIEDAL), Facultad de Política y Gobierno, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Argentina, "Acerca del Estado y la democracia"
  • Susan Rose-Ackerman, Henry R. Luce Professor of Law and Political Science, Yale University, United States, "Administrative Law and Public Policy Analysis: Tensions and Complementarities"
  • Ludolfo Paramio, Profesor de Investigación, Consejo Superior e Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), España, "El regreso del Estado: entre el populismo y la regulación"
Special thematic areas for this event, as well as a call for panel proposals, will be published soon on the Congress's web site.  The official languages of the Congress will be Spanish, Portuguese and English. During the entire Congress, one of the halls will have simultaneous translation into English.

NEWS FROM CPSI
Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI)
http://www.cpsi.co.za

Innovation Framework for the Public Sector of South Africa Workshop
The CPSI held the special Innovation Framework consultation workshop on 23 January 2008 for the consolidation and validation of the Innovation Framework for the Public Sector of South Africa booklet. This workshop emanates from the Inaugural Public Sector Innovation Conference hosted by CPSI on 20 November 2007 where the Innovation Framework booklet was first tabled for discussion. The valuable inputs and feedback that were received from the delegates and all the comments were factored into the document. The innovation conference recommended that a range of stake holders has to be consulted for the finalization of this document, and attendees ranged from the public sector delegates, especially service delivery departments, the private sector, NGOs and the general public. This was a valuable consultation workshop with great and positive results that will lead to the finalization of the Innovation Framework.

Southern Africa UNPAN Portal Representatives Workshop
The CPSI- UNPAN Portal working team is organizing and coordinating a two day workshop on the 27th and 28th of February 2008 for the regional UNPAN content coordinators. The objectives of this workshop is to  consolidate the team of content coordinators into a working network, to get an understanding of the dynamics and content challenges in each country and agree on mechanisms to maximize participation and to extend training on the new portal and software to support staff. Furthermore, to equip the members with the knowledge of what UNPAN Portal is and what is expected of them to do and to elaborate its importance.

Recent Publications

Conference Information
Knowledge Management Learning Network
Dates: 14-15 February 2008
Location: Bloemfontein, Kopano Koneng
Contact: Matsetsu Botha
Tel.: 012 336 1252 or 084 628 2550
E-mail: mbotha@dpsa.gov.za
URL: http://www.dpsa.gov.za/add_km_2008.asp

Performance Measurement in the Public Sector 2008
Organizer: Forum Africa
Dates: 27-28 February 2008
Location: Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Contact: Archie Kalenga
E-mail: archie@forumafrica.co.za

Leadership in Strategic Health Communication – Africa
Organizer: Stellenbosch University & Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health / Centre for Communications Program
Dates: 12-23 May 2008
Location: Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
Contact: Michelle Munro
E-mail: lshc@sun.ac.za

NEWS FROM DPADM
Division for Public Administration and Development Management, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DPADM/UNDESA)
http://www.unpan.org/dpepa.asp

Highlights from Recent DPADM Activities
Support to Formulation of “Citizen Social Charter in Middle East” - 8-9 January 2008 in Amman
DPADM/SGMB took part in the Middle East Citizen Assembly (MECA), a Middle East confederation of civil society organizations that include Israel as well, to formulate the "Citizen Social Charter" for the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. The initiative was sponsored by the Prince El-Hassan Foundation of Jordan.  
The two-day meeting discussed the conceptual and methodological aspects of "Citizen Charter". His Majesty Prince El-Hassan was present to inaugurate the meeting.  In the past, DPADM provided similar support in the preparation and launching of the "South Asian Social Charter: An Agenda for Civic Action”.

Workshop on Promoting Trust in Government Through Innovations in Governance in Asia and the Pacific - 28-30 January 2008, Honolulu, Hawaii
This workshop which was co-organized with the East-West Center of University of Hawaii, served as a follow-up activity to the 7th Global Forum. The Workshop discussed findings of the sub-regional reviews of building trust in government in Asia and the Pacific and selected country cases.
URL: http://www.unpan.org/directory/conference/guest/browseoneconference.asp?conference_id=2196

Arab-Africa Capacity Building Workshop Launches the Arab-Africa Citizen Engagement Network (AACEN) - 29-31 January 2008 in Nouakchott, Mauritania
The workshop was a joint initiative of UNDESA, UNDP Country Office in Mauritania, and the Government of Mauritania.  The workshop was held to (a) exchange innovative experiences and best practices of civic engagement and networking to enhance dialoguing and partnerships for policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring to achieve the MDGs, (b) brainstorm and review various institutional models of establishing the Arab-Africa Citizen Engagement Network (AACEN), (c) develop a plan of action to support the AACEN; and (d) set up frameworks for follow-up actions including sub-regional and country level action plans - web site creation, data generation, updating and maintenance, etc.
URL: http://www.unpan.org/directory/conference/guest/browseoneconference.asp?conference_id=2201

Evaluation of the 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government
The evaluation of the 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government held last June in Vienna is now available at http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN027484.pdf.

Recent Publications
DPADM Publications

Print

  • The publication " Civic Engagement in Public Policies - A Toolkit " published by DPADM/DESA, outlines the objectives, stakeholders, content, outcomes and means of the civic engagement process.  The book, which is a sales publication, is now available at the UN Bookshop.  The online version is also available at http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN028366.pdf.

DPADM Discussion Papers

DPADM Newsletters

Forthcoming DPADM Activities
Fourth Phase of the "International Training Programme on Peacebuilding and Good Governance for African Civilian Personnel"
DPADM is pleased to begin programming in January 2008 a $1 million contribution provided by the Government of Italy for the fourth phase of the "International Training Programme on Peacebuilding and Good Governance  for African Civilian Personnel."  The International Training Programme on Peacebuilding and Good Governance for African Civilian Personnel was established in 2002 by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in response to the increasing need for well-trained, professional and responsible African civilian personnel to be deployed in international conflict transformation and peacebuilding initiatives.  The project has been very successfully implemented by two partner institutions, the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) of the University of Ghana, and the International Training Programme for Conflict Management of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy.  Since its inception, the Programme has trained around 400 civilians for peace operations from across the African continent.  For further information, please contact Anita Ernstorfer at +1-212-963-8129.

GAID Latin American and Caribbean Regional Network to be Launched in El Salvador - 4-5 February 2008
A seminar organized by the Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA GAID), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), International Development Research Centre - Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (IDRC-ICA), and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), will take place from 4-5 February 2008 in San Salvador, El Salvador, in the two days preceding the II Ministerial Conference on the Information Society eLAC2007 in San Salvador. The event will feature the launch of the GAID Latin American and Caribbean Regional Network, which will contribute to the implementation of the regional public-private meta-plaform and Action Plan "eLAC".  eLAC is a new type of regional agreement, where Governments maintain the leadership role in the process of elaborating and implementing a public policy agenda, facilitating at the same time the participation of new actors, such as the private sector, civil society, academia and international organizations.
URL: http://www.un-gaid.org

Launch of the World e-Parliament Report 2008
In late February DESA and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will release the World e-Parliament Report 2008 prepared by the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament, a joint initiative launched in the framework of the WSIS implementation.  The Report provides an overview of the emerging trends and common challenges in the use of ICT in parliament and can be seen as an authoritative baseline of how parliaments are using, or planning to use ICT to help them fulfill their responsibilities for lawmaking, oversight, and representation.  The Report will be officially released on the occasion of the 2nd high-level Meeting of the Board of the Global Centre, to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 28 February 2008.
URL: http://www.ictparliament.org

NEWS FROM ECE
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
http://www.unece.org

Highlights from Recent UNECE Events
The Fifth Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE)
The conference took place from 5 to 7 November 2007 in Warsaw on the theme of "Forests for Quality of Life". UNECE/FAO is a partner of MCPFE and made several major contributions to the Conference, including notably the report on The State of Europe's Forests 2007 prepared jointly by UNECE, FAO and the MCPFE Liaison Unit Warsaw. The report is the most complete and balanced assessment ever of the state of Europe's forests, and addresses all criteria of sustainable forest management, provides relevant information for policy makers and points to potentially unsustainable situations in some indicators in a few countries.
URL: http://unece.org/trade/timber/Welcome.html

The Sixth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe"
The Sixth Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” took place in Belgrade from 10 to 12 October 2007. Ministers and high-level officials from 51 UNECE member States and the European Commission, international organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders discussed progress achieved in the implementation of environmental policies since the Kiev Conference in 2003, capacity building and partnerships as well as the future of the "Environment for Europe" process.
URL: http://unece.org/env/efe/wgso/Belgrade/welcome.html

Recent Publications

  • Emerging Energy Security Risks and Risk Mitigation in a Global Context Energy Series # 36 ECE/ENERGY/ 70 – Sales # 07.II.E.22 – ISBN 978-92-1-116975-1 – US$ 35 – E (F,R forthcoming)
  • Environmental Monitoring and Reporting by Enterprises Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia ECE/CEP/141 - Sales # E.07.II.E.17 - ISBN 978-92-1-116970-6 - US$ 15 - E,R
  • Information and Communication Technology Policy and Legal Issues for Central Asia – Guide for ICT Policymakers ECE/CECI/1 – Sales # E.07.II.E.21 – ISBN 978-92-1-116974-4 – US$ 20– E (R forthcoming)
  • Environmental Indicators and Indicators-based Assessment Reports – Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia ECE/CEP/140 – Sales # E.07.II.E.9 – ISBN 978-92-1-116961-4 – US$ 20 – E,R
  • The Wye Group Handbook – Rural Households' Livelihood and Well-Being Statistics on Rural Development and Agriculture Household Income ECE/CES/STAT/2007/11 – Sales # E.07.II.E.14 – ISBN 13:978-92-1-116967-6 – US$ 115
Conference Information
Euro-Asian Transport Links Ministerial Meeting
The Meeting’s topic will be the future development of inland transport links between Europe and Asia. Ministers are expected to confirm their support for the joint UNECE-UNESCAP project on Euro-Asian transport links, and its continuation, by endorsing the identified Euro-Asian routes and their priority development, as well as the creation of a mechanism ensuring efficient coordination and monitoring of project related activities.
Dates: 19-21 February 2008
Location: Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Contact: Mr. Michalis Adamantiadis
Tel.: +41 22 917 3389    
Fax: +41 22 917 0039   
E-mail: infotransport@unece.org   
URL: http://www.unece.org/trans

12th UN/CEFACT Forum
The Forum is organized on trade facilitation by reducing unnecessary trade costs through simplification of trade procedures for national and international trade.
Dates: 7-11 April 2008
Location: Santa Fe, Mexico
Contact: Mr. Jean Kubler
Tel.: +41-22-91 7277
Fax: +41-22-917 0629
E-mail: jean.kubler@unece.org
URL: http://www.unece.org/cefact/cf_forums/Mexico_2008/index.htm

NEWS FROM ESCWA
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
http://www.escwa.org.lb

Highlights from Recent ESCWA Events
Expert Group Meeting on Regional Networking and Partnership for Information Society Development
The Expert Group Meeting took place in Beirut, Lebanon from 5-6 September 2007.  The outcome of the meeting was to revive efforts on the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action (RPoA) for building the information society through partnership through updating the information of each programme and project by the coordinating agency; inserting/adding new projects and programmes to the RPoA; and building a portal to facilitate the updated management and transparency of the RPoA.
URL: http://www.escwa.un.org/information/meetings.asp

Peer Consultation Meeting on Cyber Legislation in the ESCWA Region
This meeting took place in Amman, Jordan from 11-12 December 2007.  The meeting presented and discussed the "Models for Cyber Legislation in ESCWA Member Countries" study and created a network of experts and institutions that would be involved in the continuous development, improvement and implementation of cyber legislation in the ESCWA region.
URL: http://www.escwa.un.org/information/meetings.asp

Recent Publications

  • E/ESCWA/EAD/2008/Technical Material 1 - Estimates and Forecasts for GDP Growth in the ESCWA Region 2007-2008
  • E/ESCWA/EAD/2007/Technical Material.2 - Estimates and Forecasts for GDP Growth in the ESCWA Region
  • E/ESCWA/EAD/2007/5 - Analysis of Performance and Assessment of Growth and Productivity in the ESCWA Region - Fifth Issue
  • E/ESCWA/EAD/2007/3 - The Millennium Development Goals in the Arab Region 2007: A Youth Lens
  • E/ESCWA/EAD/2007/2 - Summary of the Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the ESWA Region, 2006-2007
  • E/ESCWA/EAD/2007/1 - Economic Trends and Impacts No. 4: Foreign Aid and Development in the Arab Region
  • E/ESCWA/GRID/2007/Technical Paper.1 - Regional Investment Directory Report: ESCWA Member Countries
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/Technichal Paper.1 - Guidelines for ICT Indicators Measurements
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/9 - Review of Information and Communications Technology and Development, Issue No. 7
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/8 - Models for Cyber Legislation in ESCWA member countries
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/7 - On-line Workshop on Promoting the Digital Arabic Content Industry
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/6 - Online Workshop on E-Government: Policies and Strategies
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/5 - Expert Group Meeting on Information ‎Society ‎Measurement: Core ‎Indicators, Statistics, and Data ‎Collection – ICT Indicators in ‎Education and E-Government
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/4 - Workshop on Establishing Public Private Partnerships for ICT Initiatives
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/3 - Capacity-Building Workshop on Information Society Measurements: Core Indicators, Statistics and Data Collection
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/2 - Guidelines for the Formulation and Implementation of ICT Strategy
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/16 - Review of Information and Communications Technology and Development, Issue No. 8
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/15 - Regional Profile of the Information Society in Western Asia, 2007
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/12 - ICT Finance, Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship
  • E/ESCWA/ICTD/2007/10/Add.1-13‎‎ - Information Society Profiles for Western Asia 2007
  • E/ESCWA/SDD/2007/WP.5 - Literature Review on Engendering the Millennium Development Goals and Identifying Barriers to Gender Equality in the ESCWA Region
  • E/ESCWA/SDD/2007/WP.4 - Literature Review on Social Exclusion in the ESCWA Region
  • E/ESCWA/SDD/2007/WP.1 - Critical Review of Successful Experiences in Integrated Social Policy
  • E/ESCWA/SDD/2007/Technical Material.2 - Population Ageing in Arab Countries
  • E/ESCWA/SDD/2007/Booklet.1 - The Demographic Profile of Arab Countries: Ageing of Rural Populations
  • E/ESCWA/SDD/2007/6 - Peer Review Meeting Social Policy Report NO. 2 - Proposed Outline Integrated Social Policies Project
  • E/ESCWA/SCU/2007/9 - Compendium of Social Statistics and Indicators: Social Indicators of the Commission of Sustainable Development - Issue Number 8
  • E/ESCWA/SCU/2007/2 - Compendium of Environment Statistics in the ESCWA Region
Conference Information
Ninth Session of the Committee on Transport
Dates: 5-7 February 2008
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Contact: Mr. Nabil Safwat, OIC EDGD
Tel.: +961-1-978342
E-mail: safwatn@un.org

Workshop on Establishing Public Private Partnerships for ICT Initiatives
The objective of the workshop is to increase the capacity of public and private institutions in ESCWA member countries in establishing Public Private Partnerships focused on building the information society at the national and regional levels.
Dates: 17-19 February 2008
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Contact: Mr. Yousef Nusseir, Chief ICTD
Tel.: +961-1-978549
E-mail: nusseir@un.org
URL: http://www.escwa.un.org/information/meetings.asp

High-level Regional Meeting to Review and Promote Supply and Sanitation Policies and Related Organizational Reforms in Western Asia
Dates: 29-31 March 2008
Location: Muscat, Oman
Contact: Ms. Anhar Hegazi, Chief of SDPD
Tel.: +961-1-978502
E-mail: hegazi@un.org

NEWS FROM ICAP
Central American Institute for Public Administration (ICAP)
http://www.icap.ac.cr

Recent Publications
 Conference Information
State Policies and Governance - Master's Degree in Health Management
Dates: 2 February - 1 November 2008
Location: Costa Rica
Contact: Alan Henderson García, Coordinator
Tel: +1-506-253-40-59 / 253-46-16
Fax: +1-506-225-20-49
E-mail: henderson@icap.ac.cr
URL: http://www.icap.ac.cr/Principal/tabid/102/Default.aspx

Regional Diploma - Municipal Environmental Management
Dates: 4 February - 14 March 2008
Location: Costa Rica
Contact: Carlos Burgos Rivas, Consultant
Tel: +1-506-253-40-59 / 253-46-16
Fax: +1-506-225-20-49
E-mail: cburgos@icap.ac.cr
URL: http://www.icap.ac.cr/Principal/tabid/102/Default.aspx

Strategic Management - Master's in Quality Management
Dates: 9 February - 18 July 2008
Location: Costa Rica
Contact: Alan Henderson García, Coordinator
Tel: +1-506-253-40-59 / 253-46-16
Fax: +1-506-225-20-49
E-mail: henderson@icap.ac.cr
URL: http://www.icap.ac.cr/Principal/tabid/102/Default.aspx

Master's Graduation
Dates: 13-14 March 2008
Location: Costa Rica
Contact: Alan Henderson García, Coordinator
Tel: +1-506-253-40-59 / 253-46-16
Fax: +1-506-225-20-49
E-mail: henderson@icap.ac.cr
URL: http://www.icap.ac.cr/Principal/tabid/102/Default.aspx

Graduation in Municipal Management
Dates: 13-14 March 2008
Location: Costa Rica
Contact: Carlos Burgos Rivas, Consultant
Tel: +1-506-253-40-59 / 253-46-16
Fax: +1-506-225-20-49
E-mail: cburgos@icap.ac.cr
URL: http://www.icap.ac.cr/Principal/tabid/102/Default.aspx

NEWS FROM ICCE
Park University International Centre for Civic Engagement (ICCE)
http://www.park.edu/icce

ICCE Director Co-Edits Book Series
ICCE director Erik Bergrud co-edits a new Information Age Publishing "Research on International Civic Engagement" book series with Florida State University assistant professor Kaifeng Yang.  The first book in the series, Civic Engagement in a Network Society, was just published.
URL: http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-558.php

ICCE Participates in Unscripted Future Initiative
The ICCE is organizing a series of discussions related to Park University's new Unscripted Future Initiative. An unscripted future, as defined by the University, consists of:

  • Vast social, economic, employment, environmental, technological and global changes affecting our students and the world;
  • Changes so unique and wide-ranging that we have no data for how to assess their impacts or how to deal with them;
  • Changes that are beyond partisan politics; and
  • Increased perception of personal and global impact or even risk.
The text of Erik Bergrud's November 2007 presentation is available on the UNPAN web site.
URL: http://www.park.edu/unscripted

Recent Publications
NEWS FROM IIAS
International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)
http://www.iiasiisa.be/iias/aiacc.htm

Recent Publications
 Conference Information
Fourth Transatlantic Dialogue
Theme: "The Status of Inter-governmental Relations and Multi-level Governance in Europe and the US"
Dates: 12-14 June 2008
Location: Milan, Italy
Contact: Dr. Dario Barbieri; Dr. Paolo Fedele; Mr. Davide Galli
E-mail: 4TAD@unibocconi.it
URL: http://www.4tad.org/

4th International Specialised Conference of IIAS
Theme: "International Aid and Public Administration"
Dates: 22-26 June 2008
Location: Ankara, Turkey
Contact: IIAS
Tel.: 32 - 2-536.08.80
E-mail: iias@iiasiisa.be
URL: http://iias.todaie.gov.tr

Annual Conference of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA)
Theme: "Enhancing Efficiency, Effectiveness and Equity in Public Service Delivery: Challenges, Opportunities, Good Practices"
Dates: 14-18 July 2008
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Contact: IASIA
Tel.: 32 - 2-536.08.80
E-mail: iasia@iiasiisa.be
URL: http://www.iiasiisa.be/schools/aeconf/kampala/kampala-index.php

Annual Conference of the European Group of Public Administration (EGPA)
Theme: "Innovation in the Public Sector"
Dates: 3-6 September 2008
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Contact: EGPA
Tel.: 32 - 2-536.08.80
E-mail: geapegpa@iiasiisa.be
URL: http://www.egpa2008.com

NEWS FROM IPMA-HR
International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR)
http://www.ipma-hr.org

Recent Publications

  • The January 2008 issue of the monthly HR News magazine is available online for members of IPMA-HR at www.ipma-hr.org.
  • The Winter 2007 issue of the quarterly scholarly journal Public Personnel Management is available online for members of IPMA-HR at www.ipma-hr.org.
  • The weekly HR Bulletin is available online for members of IPMA-HR at www.ipma-hr.org.
  • The December 2007 issue of the bimonthly Assessment Council News is available online at www.ipmaac.org.
  • Various IPMA-HR press releases can be found online at www.ipma-hr.org.
Conference Information
IPMA-HR Job Analysis Seminar (Sponsored by the City of Fremont, CA, USA)
Date: 14 February 2008
Location: Fremont, California, USA
Contact: Carrie Hoover
Tel.: +1-703-549-7100
E-mail: choover@ipma-hr.org
URL: http://www.ipma-hr.org/pdf/fremont.pdf

Federal Section Mid-Level Practitioners Course (second session)
Dates: 25-28 March 2008
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Contact: Jessica Allen
E-mail: jallen@ipma-hr.org
URL: http://www.ipma-hr.org/federalsection

2008 Western Region IPMA-HR Conference
Theme: "Panning for Progress: Finding the HR Nuggets"
Dates: 2-4 April 2008
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
URL: http://www.wripma-hr.org

2008 Southern Region IPMA-HR Conference
Dates: 20-23 April 2008
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Contact: Conference Registrar
Tel.: +1-540-432-8920
E-mail: ipmainfo@ipma-va.org
URL: http://www.ipma-va.org/SRC2008

2008 Eastern Region IPMA-HR Conference
Dates: 11-14 May 2008
Location: Hyannis, Massachusetts, USA
URL: http://www.ipma-er.org

2008 Central Region IPMA-HR Conference
Dates: 1-4 June 2008
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
URL: http://www.ipmacentralregion.org/crc.htm

IPMA-Canada 2008 National Training Conference
Theme: "HR: Measuring Up!"
Dates: 1-4 June 2008
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Contact: Bonnie Nixon, IPMA-CP
Tel.: +1-780-459-5034
E-mail: butterflyhr@telus.net
Contact: Loverne Gretsinger, IPMA-CP
Tel.: +1-780-451-5213
E-mail: loverneg@telus.net
URL: http://www.ipma-aigp.ca/conferences/2008Conference.pdf

32nd Annual IPMAAC Conference
Dates: 8-11 June 2008
Location: Oakland, California, USA
Contact: Carrie Hoover
E-mail: choover@ipma-hr.org
URL: http://www.ipma-hr.org/ipmaac or http://www.ipmaac.org

IPMA-HR Caribbean Region Public Sector HR Conference
Dates: 24-26 June 2008
Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad
Contact: Jessica Allen
E-mail: jallen@ipma-hr.org

2008 IPMA-HR International Training Conference
Dates: 18-22 October 2008
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Contact: Carrie Hoover
Tel.: +1-703-549-7100
E-mail: choover@ipma-hr.org
URL: http://www.ipma-hr.org/content.cfm?pageid=30

NEWS FROM NASPAA
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
http://www.naspaa.org

NASPAA Initiates 1st International Quality Conference on Public Affairs Education
NASPAA co-hosted 7-9 December an international conference on Quality in Public Affairs Education in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with the American University of Sharjah, Zayed University, the Dubai School of Government and the Institute of Administrative Development (IAD) of the United Arab Emirates.  More than 40 key scholars from around the world gathered to make presentations and debate the “search for quality” in public affairs education.

Participants from several countries including China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, the UAE, and the USA did excellent presentations containing useful and current information on their public affairs programmes. In brief, the presentations addressed critical issues of public affairs education, including such topics as:

  • What are the Foundations of Quality Assurance and Regulation in Public Affairs Education?
  • Mapping Student Flows and “Who is our Competition?”
  • Strategic positioning of Curriculum in Public Affairs Education
  • How is quality being assessed now?
  • How is “the Market” Currently Assessing International Quality of Public Affairs Programs?
  • Drawing Lessons: To what extent are the quality mechanisms we use appropriate internationally, and how can they be improved?

NASPAA’s immediate past president Kathryn Newcomer presented the keynote address, entitled “Public Affairs Education: Adding Value in the Public Interest.” You can see her address and most of the presentations by going to the conference “wiki” at http://qualityconference.wikispaces.com/.
URL: http://www.globalmpa.net/section/_iqc

NEWS FROM OFPA
African Civil Services Observatory (OFPA)
http://www.ofpa.net

Recent OFPA Additions to the UNPAN Web Site

Recent Publications

  • "La Déclaration des droits des citoyens dans leurs rapports avec l’administration et les services publics dans les Etats africains francophones"
  • "La Fonction publique congolaise" (RDC)
  • "Statut Général des Agents Permanents de l'Etat"
Conference Information
Renforcement des capacités des Agents de l'Etat
Date: February 2008
Location: Cotonou, Bénin
Contact: OFPA
E-mail: ofpaofpa@yahoo.fr
URL: http://www.ofpa.net

Forum national - participation de l'OFPA
Theme: "Governance and Management Focused on Performance and Results"
Dates: 27-29 February 2008
Location: Niamey, Niger
Contact: OFPA
E-mail: ofpaofpa@yahoo.fr
URL: http://www.ofpa.net

1ère rencontre des institutions de médiation des Etats membres de l'UEMOA - participation de l'OFPA
Date: March-April 2008
Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Contact: OFPA
E-mail: ofpaofpa@yahoo.fr
URL: http://www.ofpa.net

Renforcement des capacités des Agents de l'Etat
Date: March-April 2008
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Contact: OFPA
E-mail: ofpaofpa@yahoo.fr
URL: http://www.ofpa.net

Renforcement des capacités des Agents de l'Etat
Date: March-April 2008
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Contact: OFPA
E-mail: ofpaofpa@yahoo.fr
URL: http://www.ofpa.net

NEWS FROM RCOCI
Regional Cooperation Office for City Informatization (RCOCI)
http://www.apcity.org

Workshop on E/M-Government Knowledge Base Development in Asia and the Pacific
RCOCI participated in the Workshop on E/M-Government Knowledge Base Development in Asia and the Pacific. This event took place on 30 October 2007 in Jeju, Republic of Korea, with 19 participants from China, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines, as well as UNDPADM staff. The main purpose of the meeting was: (a) to share core concepts of “Building Virtual Repository of E/M-Government Knowledge Sharing” focused on Asian and Pacific countries; (b) to discuss how to collect and analyze relevant data; and (c) to divide roles among project partners for the implementation of the project.

Workshop on Global Alliance for Enhancing Access to and Application of Scientific Data in Developing Countries
RCOCI was actively among the participants of the above workshop held on 4 December 2007 in Beijing, China. This workshop was co-sponsored by UN GAID e-SDDC, the Bureau of International Cooperation for Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the International Council for Science Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA). It was co-organized by the Institute of Remote Sensing Application of CAS, the Computer Network Information Centre of CAS, the Institute of Geographic Sciences and National Resources Research of CAS, and the Internet Society of China.

UNPAN-AP Editorial Department Kicks Off Its Annual Summary Seminar 2007
The UNPAN-AP Editorial Department convened its annual summary seminar 2007 on 23 November 2007. Presided over by Mr. Wang Jianhua, the chief editor, the seminar modestly summed up the excellent performance of the department both in 2007 and in UNPAN Phase I. Apart from the editors and interns, the department was honored by the presence of many VIPs including Mr. Wang Genxiang, vice director of the Shanghai Municipal Internet Economy Consulting Centre (SIECC), Mr. Wu Yugang, director of the Department of Cooperation, Communication and Training of SIECC, Research Fellow Wang Yizhi, director of the Institute of Information, SASS, Ms. Liang Xinlai, deputy director of the Institute and advisor of the department, and, Mr. Zhang Guangwen, manager of Hotsales Co. Ltd. Ms. Zhang Zhun, assistant to the chief editor, gave a report on the work of 2007. For details, please visit http://www.unpan.org/directory/conference/guest/browseoneconference.asp?conference_id=2186.

Recent Publications

Top 10 Most Visited Documents in 2007 According to Progress Report on UNPAN Implementation
1.    Improving Access to Finance for India's Rural Poor
2.    Diagnostic Study of Accounting and Auditing Practices in the Philippines (Part II, IV, and VI)
3.    Insurance in India
4.    Corporate Governance and Accounting Standards in India: An Empirical Study on Practices
5.    Income Tax Ordinance 2001 (Pakistan)
6.    Graft and Corruption: The Philippine Experience
7.    Impact of Agrarian Reform on Poverty (Philippines)
8.    Characteristics and Performance Evaluation of Selected Mutual Funds in India
9.    The Indian Insurance Industry: Challenges and Prospects
10.   A Comparative Study of Non Performing Assets in India in the Global Context: Similarities and Dissimilarities, Remedial Measures

NEWS FROM UNCRD
United Nations Centre for Regional Development
http://www.uncrd.or.jp

International Disaster Management Symposium 2008 “Towards Sustainable Communities”
The UNCRD Disaster Planning Management Office, in collaboration with the Yomiuri Shimbun Osaka and the International Symposium Steering Committee, successfully organized the symposium entitled “Towards Sustainable Communities” with 200 people participating in Kobe, Japan, on 18 January 2008.  The objectives of the symposium were (a) to share knowledge and experiences of gender in community-based disaster management; (b) to identify further effective activities in project countries based on analysis of survey data; (c) to identify challenges, critical needs and opportunities in implementing the Hyogo Trust Fund IX project focusing on gender sensitivities; and (d) to understand the interlinkages between disaster management, environment, and gender perspectives.  Presentations of current and past lessons on “Disaster Management and Environment” and “Gender in Community-Based Disaster Management” were followed by active panel discussion at the symposium.

First National Consultation Meeting for the Formulation of National EST Strategy for Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and Cambodia
The main objective of Asian EST initiatives is to promote the integration of environmental considerations in the transport sector in Asia.  With this main objective, the project will promote the perception of Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) through the identification of issues, strategic challenges, and required actions and measures in the several related areas.  The formulation of EST national strategies in selected countries is one of the main activities of the project and the first phase started from 2006 in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam. Following the inception meeting in June 2006, the national consultation meetings were held in Viet Nam (Oct. 2007), Lao PDR (Nov. 2007), and Cambodia (Dec. 2007) with the purpose of critically reviewing the first draft strategy, which had been submitted in August 2007. It was agreed that based on the discussion in these meetings, three countries are going to deliver presentations on the process of the EST national strategy formulation at the plenary session of the Third Regional EST Forum on 16-19 March 2008.

Two Workshops on Disaster Management in Fiji
Two workshops on disaster management in schools were held by the UNCRD Disaster Planning Management Hyogo Office, in collaboration with National Disaster Management Office and the Center for Appropriate Technology and Development, Government of Fiji, on 11-12 December 2007 in Suva, Fuji.  A workshop on “Multi-hazard Resistant Construction“ targeted masons and carpenters to impart knowledge and skills on disaster-safe school construction procedures.  Additionally, a “National Review Workshop on Earthquake Safety in Schools” was held to review the draft school safety books such as “Teacher's Handbook on Earthquake Preparedness”, “Children's Workbook on Disaster Safety”, and “A Guide on Evacuation Plans for Schools”.

Recent and Forthcoming Publications

  • Regional Development Dialogue (RDD) Vol.28, No.2 (Autumn 2007) - Theme: “Earthquake Safety of Schoolchildren” (forthcoming)
  • Regional Development Dialogue (RDD) Vol.28, No.1 (Spring 2007)  - Theme: “Regional Development Policy and Practice in Africa”
  • Regional Development Studies (RDS) Vol.11 (2007)
  • Regional Development Studies (RDS) Vol.10 (2006)
  • UNCRD Newsletter No.62, July-December 2006
  • UNCRD Highlights No.39 Spring 2007
Conference Information
Third Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum
Dates: 17-19 March 2008
Location: Singapore
Contact: Environment Unit, UNCRD
Tel.: +81-52-561-9377
Fax: +81-52-561-9375
E-mail: environment@uncrd.or.jp
URL: http://www.uncrd.or.jp/env/

Thirty-sixth International Training Course in Regional Development
Dates: 15 May - 25 June 2008
Location: Nagoya Japan
Contact: Training Unit, UNCRD
Tel.: +81-52-561-9377
Fax: +81-52-561-9375
E-mail: training@uncrd.or.jp
URL: http://www.uncrd.or.jp/tr/

UNPAN Newsletter is published quarterly by the United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance (UNPAN).

Editor: Erik Bergrud, Director, International Centre for Civic Engagement and Special Assistant to the President for University Projects on Civic Engagement
Park University

To learn more about UNPAN, please contact:

Mr. Guido Bertucci, Director or Ms. Haiyan Qian, UNPAN Chief Manager
Division for Public Administration and Development Management
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
United Nations
Two UN Plaza-Room DC2-1712
New York, NY 10017
Tel: +1-212-963-3393
Fax: +1-212-963-9681
E-Mail: qianh@un.org
http://www.unpan.org