Managing Change for Public Sector Excellence

"To achieve sustained success, organisations have to re-restructure to institute changes in work processes, policies, programmes and relations and introduce transition management to help people navigate changes successfully." - Professor Ayeni

Senior civil servants from 12 Commonwealth countries are attending a seminar on 'Managing Change - Towards Public Sector Excellence' in Singapore.

The 18 participants, mainly permanent secretaries, heads of departments and directors of administrative reforms, are sharing experiences and discussing concepts and issues related to managing change in the public services sector. They are also being trained in practical strategies and techniques to guide people through transitions to ensure that changes proceed smoothly and successful within the civil service of their respective countries.

The seminar, which began on 7 November 2005 and concludes on 18 November, is jointly sponsored by the Singapore Co-operation Programme and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC).

During the two-week event, course participants are studying both Singapore's and the wider Commonwealth's experience in public sector reform and will present country papers and develop individual action plans for change in their organisations or countries. They are also visiting several institutions that have undergone a successful change management experience.

Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of the Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat, said managing the public sector in today's fast changing environment is a challenge for policy makers and civil servants in developing countries. He noted that in many countries, including Singapore, the public sector is on a relentless drive to improve performance, increase efficiency and meet their constituents' needs in the face of rapid changes around the world.

"To achieve sustained success, organisations have to re-restructure to institute changes in work processes, policies, programmes and relations and introduce transition management to help people navigate changes successfully. The aim is to improve quality and productivity, develop a customer-orientated environment and motivate staff through the recognition of excellence," said Professor Ayeni.

He added that seminars such as the on-going one in Singapore will equip participants with practical tools and ideas on best practice for achieving change through strategic management. This includes a study on electronic governance, innovation and enterprise.

The series of seminars is an extension of the work done by the Secretariat in assisting Commonwealth countries with public sector reform through regional and in-country training programmes.

The participants come from Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, St Lucia, Samoa, Sri Lanka, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda.

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 261, 16 November 2005

Key Links:

• Governance and Institutional Development