Introduction
| Date | 01 November 2006 |
| Published date | 01 November 2006 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/pad.4230150303 |
| Author | Kenneth Stowe |
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT, VOL.
15,
197-198
(1995)
Introduction
SIR KENNETH STOWE
London
The origins of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and
Management (CAPAM), and of its Inaugural Conference, lie in the Declaration by
the Commonwealth Heads of Government at their Conference in Harare,
Zimbabwe, in October 1991. In their Declaration, they reaffirmed the principles of
Government to which the Commonwealth aspires and their commitment to focus
and improve Commonwealth co-operation in these areas.
The idea of a new Commonwealth professional association dedicated to the
realization of the ‘just and honest government’
of
the Harare Declaration was put
forward by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, H. E. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in
his Report for 1991. The aim of CAPAM is to enhance Commonwealth co-operation
to improve managerial competence and organizational excellence in Government
through exchange of experiences on new developments and innovations in
management in Government and by building networks for top decision makers
and administrators.
The Inaugural Conference of the Commonwealth Association for Public
Administration and Management was convened in Charlottetown, Prince Edward
Island, Canada, from
28
to 31 August 1994. The theme of the Conference was
‘Government in Transition’. For the first time, under economic and social pressures,
both developed and developing countries are experiencing the same kind of challenge
to governance as their respective public servants, both elected and appointed, go
about the tasks of public service renewal. The Conference provided
a
unique
opportunity for positive, constructive thinking and dialogue about what government
renewal means in a global environment. It was unique also in the high level of
‘hands-on’ experience of the participants:
150
distinguished politicians, senior
administrators and scholars of public administration from 41 Commonwealth
countries. The Conference opening and the Secretary-General’s address provided the
international context to the establishment of CAPAM.
This special issue of
Public Administration
and
Development
contains selections
from the 34 presentations made, under the 3 major conference themes: political
transition, economic transition and the transition in outlook, building a culture
of
success. Each section is prefaced by
a
short overview that draws out the major cross-
cutting issues. An introductory essay summarizes the overall lessons of the
Conference and the opportunities for CAPAM in the search for the ‘new public
administration’.
Sir
Kenneth Stowe, CCB, CBO was Chairperson
of
the
CAPAM Steering Committee.
He
is
a member
of
the CAPAM
Board
of
Directors.
CCC
027
1
-2075/95/030 197-02
0
1995
by
John
Wiley
&
Sons,
Ltd.
To continue reading
Request your trial