Regional Forum on Reinventing Government in the Pacific Islands. 4 6 October 2004, Apia, Samoa

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1 Aide Memoire Regional Forum on Reinventing Government in the Pacific Islands Globalization and Public Sector Capacity 4 6 October 2004, Apia, Samoa Sponsorship and Purpose The Regional Forum on Reinventing Government in the Pacific Islands will be organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Government of Samoa, to be held from 4 6 October 2004 in Apia, Samoa. Financial support for the Regional Forum is provided by the Government of Italy. The purpose of the Forum is to discuss good practices and innovative approaches in reinventing government and strengthening public sector capacity to further the agenda of the countries with respect to globalization and Millennium Development Goals. Background and Context The major challenge facing the Pacific islands region in the new millennium is the achievement of development goals in an environment of globalization. The capacity of the state to meet this challenge has accordingly become a focus of renewed urgency and concern. The region offers a number of important insights and lessons that will assist the governments in the region strengthen their public administration and governance capacities to achieve Millennium Development Goals. At the same time, the Pacific offers a number of useful examples of how states may benefit from better management of the potential opportunities offered by processes of globalization. Countries in the Pacific island region increasingly have to pursue their development goals in a changed and changing context of globalization -- that is to say, in a context of greater, faster and freer communications and movement of goods, people and ideas that are both enabled and driven by advances in technology. Such a context, it is generally understood, provides new challenges as well as opportunities, although the exact nature of these challenges and opportunities inevitably also differs from country to country. Contrary to initial speculations that globalization would diminish the role of the state, it is now widely recognized that the changes brought about by globalization have increased the importance of the state s role in national development. It has also made the state s role more difficult and challenging. Besides other requirements, viable national development has now to be appropriately aligned with, and continually adapted to, the rapid and momentous environmental changes. This requires the governments of

2 2 developing countries to develop the strategic capacity needed to play its guidance role effectively so as to weather the challenges and exploit opportunities that globalization provides. Objectives of the Forum The objective of the Forum in the Pacific Islands region is to assist governments to strengthen their public sector and governance capacities to achieve their development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and to take greater advantage of the potential of globalization. This entails, first of all, an assessment of ongoing reform efforts and practices within the various countries in the region, with a view to analyzing best practices and innovative approaches and learning from past efforts in furthering their development agenda. Among the areas to examine in this context are public sector capacity to manage globalization, facilitate citizen access to services, utilize information and communication technologies, and promote public participation and accountability. Specific objectives of the Forum are to: review best practices and innovative approaches in the selected countries dealing with public sector capacity to cope with and benefit from globalization and to achieve Millennium Development Goals; examine critical factors accounting for success or failure of programme to reinvent government; provide a venue for a network of training and research institutions and representatives of the government to share their respective experiences; and identify areas of common concern and a framework for regional and national cooperation in the Pacific islands region. Thematic Focus and Studies The focus of the Regional forum is on relationship between globalization and reinventing government. Therefore, both the proposed topics and the terms of reference for the case studies will reflect this broad theme. For the most part, cases and or topics will be identified that reflect positive experiences. This is based on the premise that far too little is understood about the ways in which innovation and reinvention has in many cases worked to the benefit of Pacific island peoples. There are many outstanding successes that have gone largely unnoticed in the literature. Ten analytical case studies and two concept papers will be commissioned by the United Nations through a subcontract with the East-West Center. Authors will be selected based on their disciplinary expertise and familiarity with the topic. Most of the papers will be prepared by scholars and development practitioners from the Pacific islands region. Individuals with extensive experience in government as well as individuals with strong

3 3 scholarly records will together bring to bear a diverse range of perspectives on reinventing government. The regional forum will discuss the following themes: Theme 1 : Public Sector Capacity to Manage Globalization State capacity for strategic assessments; Knowledge and skills to conduct consultations and negotiations at national and international levels to promote public interest in the global economy including trade negotiations, regional treaties; Policy analysis to assess the impact of globalization; Assessment of investment and regulatory regimes for managing globalization; Infrastructure and other capacity constraints for product and export market development; and Assessment of transformation at local levels as a result of globalization and impact on culture. Theme 2 : Access to Services Government and private sector roles, partnerships and innovations for service delivery; Role of civil society in service delivery including assessment of its capacity, its relationship with the government, its sustainability and the assessment of the quality of services by the government and the civil society; and Cost, affordability and access to urban and rural services for all. Theme 3 : E-Government and E-Commerce Policy framework for e-government including the creation of new policies and legislation for encouraging innovation and harnessing technology; Organizational arrangements and government e-readiness; E-administration and back office components including transitioning to the electronic delivery of services and quantifying cost effectiveness; E-learning E-commerce for poverty reduction, and private sector involvement and contribution to national development strategies; Theme 4 : Participation and Accountability Innovations to enhance accountability and integrity in government; Institutional mechanisms that promote better upstream and downstream flow of information from the local to the central government levels; Participatory approaches to designing and implementing public policies; New frameworks and tools for political, administrative and financial transparency including institutions to combat domestic corruption and conventions against cross-border corruption.

4 4 Outline of Case Studies Each case study will examine the first theme above and one or more of the other three themes. Each analytical case study will conform to the following outline: Introduction This section will describe the country context. Specifically, it will describe how globalization has affected the country, both positively and negatively, and the role of the public sector in the process. (length : 3 5 pages) Strengths and Capacity Gaps at the Systemic Level : This section will provide an over-view of strengths and weaknesses of the public sector vis-à-vis the challenges of globalization ( 3 5 pages single space) Analysis of Theme One: This section will examine each of the issues listed above under the theme, with some modifications depending upon the country context. The section will begin with the state-of-the-art dealing with the theme, i.e. describe the present situation. It will then describe reforms, good practices and innovative approaches initiated to respond to the issues. Finally, it will critically examine factors that accounted for the performance of the public sector. It would be desirable to give examples of concrete reform initiatives and/or programmes and provide aggregate data where needed. (length: pages) Analysis of the Selected Theme Two: This section should follow the same format as #3 above (12 15 pages). Conclusions and Policy Implications: These sections should, first, present main conclusions and, second, identify policy implications for actions at the regional and at the national levels. (length : 3 5 pages) The paper should be in standard format, with end notes that include the full name of author, title of the book or journal article or government report, the name of the publisher, year and page number. Prospective Analytical Case Studies for the Pacific Islands Each country case study will be based on a two-pronged approach. First the case study will provide general information about public sector capacity to manage globalization. Second, the study will focus on a specific programme of reform to reinvent government which is on-going or has been completed. Samoa: National study of reform program undertaken in cooperation with ADB and WB

5 5 Tuvalu: Tuvalu Trust Funds: innovation for small island states Federated States of Micronesia: Yap State s Fiscal Management: confluence of traditional and modern structures of governance. Cook Islands: Community governance and environmental protection: managing lagoons Solomon Islands: Provincial governance in the face of a weak national government: lessons learned. Fiji: National reconciliation and nation building: the talanoa process. Palau: The role of tourism in private sector development: lessons learned after a decade of independence. Tonga: Reinventing public education for the 21st century. Papua New Guinea: Reinventing government in post-conflict environments: The Bougainville Initiative Micronesian Compact States: Comparing innovation and dependence Participants Country case study writer and high level government officials, particularly those from the agencies managing public sector reforms and modernization in the respective countries, will be invited to attend the regional forum. Selected resource persons, and representatives from international institutions, and the academia and regional institutes will also participate. The forum will serve as the primary means through which best practices and other lessons of experience will be disseminated among scholars and policymakers. Contact Information G. Shabbir Cheema Principal Adviser and Programme Director Department of Economic and Social Affairs Division for Public Administration and Development Management Two United Nations Plaza (Room DC II 1704) United Nations, New York, NY 10017

6 6 Tel: Faamausili Dr. Matagialofi Lua iufi Chief Executive Officer Department of Public Services Government of Samoa, Apia Jerry Finin Acting Director Pacific Island Development Program East West Center Honolulu, Hawaii Tel: