Public Administration & United Nation

Public Administration & United Nation

Public Administration & United Nation

Introduction

Today we live in an era unlike any other - a period in history dominated by constant social, political and commercial change. Seldom has the confluence of technology, resources and imagination so dramatically transformed how nations govern, how economies are driven and how cultures interact. States, regardless of their size or remoteness, are now linked by multiple and extensive social, political and economic networks creating new and demanding challenges for policy makers. Even to the smallest of countries, public policy issues are becoming increasingly transnational in character and management practices increasingly convergent. The complexities of this new form of interdependence have changed the traditional role of the State. Forward-looking nations recognize that a sound foundation of participatory governance equips them to better respond to the challenges and opportunities created by globalization.

Globalization has led to the development of new roles, relationships and partnerships among government, the civil society and the private sector. This has enhanced the influence of the public on governance systems and administrative institutions. During the decade of the 1990s, public administration evolved into a more holistic discipline, highlighting the interaction of its institutions for the benefit of the civil society. Managing the public sector in today's environment of constant change has become a demanding challenge for policy makers, service delivery managers and civil servants - a challenge that is especially daunting for those in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. For over 50 years the United Nations, through its Programme in Public Administration and Development, has assisted Member States in their efforts to strengthen, improve and reform their governance systems and administrative institutions.

The Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM), which currently implements the Programme, has been entrusted with the important responsibility of ensuring that the public economic, administrative and financial institutions of developing countries and countries with economies in transition function in a sound, participatory and transparent manner. A country's public sector is, arguably, the most important factor in the successful implementation of its national development agenda. DPADM focuses its knowledge, expertise and professionalism on critical substantive areas that are essential to the successful implementation of national programmes and policies. These include:

Governance systems and institutions

Decentralization

The changing role of the State and civil service reform

Integrity, transparency and accountability systems

Public policy and public economics

Public finance and financial administration

The use of information technology in government

The role of the public sector in post-conflict reconstruction

By disseminating information and knowledge, delivering technical assistance and providing an international forum for the exchange of national experiences, DPADM assists Governments in strengthening their policy-making systems, reinforcing their human resources capacity and improving the overall efficiency of their governance systems and institutions. DPADM's primary comparative advantage is its extensive knowledge base and professional expertise. Such resources enable DPEPA to identify emerging challenges and issues quickly and to respond to them effectively. Through its broad global reach and distinct mandate, DPADM plays a pivotal role in the development ...