Workshop on Managing Change in Local Governance

Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of the Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD).

A five-day Commonwealth workshop on 'Managing Change in Local Governance' will be held at the University of Birmingham's School of Public Policy in the UK from 12 to 16 September 2005. The event, targeted at the development of sub-national government and administration, is co-organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the University of Birmingham. It is funded by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.

The workshop, which will be attended by some 30 delegates from across the Commonwealth, is designed for chief executives, mayors and senior management-level officers in local government, as well as senior officers poised to lead strategic change in local governance.

Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of the Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) of the Secretariat, said: "With the changing role of governments and rising expectations of citizens, local governments are under increasing pressure to promote the development and improvement of public services. This poses new challenges to Commonwealth local governments. This workshop represents a significant new dimension to the Secretariat's portfolio in public sector development to help strengthen the capacity of local level officials in coping with change and the development challenges associated with them."

The workshop will contribute to assisting Commonwealth governments in improving service delivery to their citizens and fostering better relations and collaboration between the different tiers of government.

Dr Alam Munawwar, GIDD Adviser on Sub-national Administration and Government, explained: "The participants will be exposed to an entrepreneurial style of management in order to maximise the limited financial resources of local governments by paying closer attention to staff performance in terms of quality and efficiency, good customer-service, as well as costs and revenue."

The changing role of the state and the relationship between the central and local government, and enhancing public-private partnerships as well as engaging citizens' organisations in the change process will also be discussed at the workshop.

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 251, 7 September 2005

Key Links:

• Governance and Institutional Development