Permanent secretaries from 14 Commonwealth countries who attended a programme which aimed to develop the capabilities of public service leaders in working with their minister to shape public sector reform and promote good governance.
Permanent secretaries explore leading edge in Singapore
4 December 2008
Commonwealth training on effective management of complex issues and structures
Twenty-one permanent secretaries from 14 Commonwealth countries and territories who are responsible for providing strategic policy advice and leadership in their respective government ministries or agencies have benefited from a five-day study programme in Singapore.
The event, which took place from 24 to 28 November 2008, brought together officials from Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Grenada, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Anguilla and Bermuda.
The programme, titled ‘Managing Complexity in Networked Government’, was organised by the Civil Service College International under the Singapore-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme. It was supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.
The programme aimed to develop the capabilities of public service leaders in working with their minister to shape public sector reform and promote good governance. It explored the art, practice and implications of portfolio co-ordination by helping permanent secretaries sort out the complexities of leading high-performing organisations in a networked environment.
Head of Public Service In Grenada
“As Head of the Public Service in Grenada I have already begun to make suggestions to bring about change,” said Elizabeth Henry-Greenidge, who also attended the programme.
“The opportunity to learn from Singapore as a Small Island Developing State has given me the impetus to let the Public Service in Grenada know that we too can make a difference in the way we conduct business.”
“The programme focused on leadership qualities and the effective management of performance, particularly for complex tasks,” said John Wilkins, Head of the Thematic Programmes Group in the Governance and Institutional Development Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
“Participants looked at the challenges of accountability, policy development and co-ordination, optimum utilisation of resources and enhancement of service quality.”
Discussions among permanent secretaries emphasised valuing public servants as a strategic resource and building teamwork to improve co-ordination at all levels. They stressed the importance of instilling the national vision, priorities and performance culture within each ministry and organisation.
Above all, the permanent secretaries embraced the need to lead by example and to support their minister in leading change from the front, according to Mr Wilkins.
“The programme exposed participants to the unique perspectives and approaches of Singapore. Other nations can no doubt benefit from this small island nation’s governance and management of its public service,” said Derrick Binns, Permanent Secretary of Bermuda’s Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, who participated in the workshop.
“The experience has renewed my desire to lead by example, to be creative in my approach, to focus on identifying potential and building capacity, and to establish clear expectations in order to produce results.”
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