Improving leadership in the public sector

Innovation, efficiency and good governance in the public sector will be examined at a workshop taking place in Canada from 1 to 12 June 2009.

Senior public servants will enhance their leadership potential in key competencies like team-building, communication, negotiation and risk management.

“This training is particularly important in the current climate of economic and financial turbulence where the effective delivery of services must be maintained in the face of constrained budgets,” said John Wilkins, adviser on public sector management for the Commonwealth Secretariat.

One of the primary benefits for participants of this Ninth Commonwealth Executive Programme in Public Management will be in learning about examples of good practice. Canada has tackled some thorny social, economic and environmental challenges.

Among other things, participants will be exposed to leading public policies and programmes concerning Canada’s social safety net, universal health care and aboriginal self-governance. They will also consider Canada’s approaches to decentralised government, citizen-centred delivery of services and balanced budgets.

Twenty senior public officials from around the Commonwealth will participate in this workshop. It is being co-organised by the Secretariat and the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto.

“This programme will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to spearhead changes at the top level within their governments or organisations and to implement innovative public policies and programmes,” explained Mr Wilkins.

“Strategies on the reform, financing and delivery of public services and issues involving the management of policies and the impact of legal and regulatory changes will also be examined.”

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Canada
• Public Sector Development