Professional developments
| Date | 01 October 1990 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/pad.4230100409 |
| Published date | 01 October 1990 |
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Vol. 10,467472 (1990)
Professional Developments
This
section
exists
to
promote an exchange
of
ideas
and
experience
between
readers. Summaries
of recent developments
in
management, research and training are intended to provide the
opportunity
for
interested readers to follow
up
by
writing
to
the
contact
person
for
fuller
information. In
addition
to
reports
on
activities
we
would also like to receive
short
‘think
pieces’ floating
fresh
ideas
on
some
particular
discussion
or
field
of
work. Contributions
should
be
sent
to
Richard
Batley
(Assistant
Editor).
This issue carries a report
of
two roundtable conferences on decentralization
in
sub-Saharan
Africa
by
Ladipo
Adamolekun, Robert Robert and Mouftaou Laleye
of
the Economic
Development Institute, World
Bank,
and
an account
by
Syed Hashemi of his recent research
on
the
role
of
non-governmental organizations
in
Bangladesh.
Lastly Nigel Harris
of
the
Developmental Planning Unit speculates
on
the emerging role
of
national
and
local
government
in
an interdependent world economy.
DECENTRALIZATION POLICIES AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA: SUMMARY OF
DISCUSSIONS AT TWO ROUNDTABLES
The World Bank’s Economic Development Institute (EDI), in collaboration with
the Panafrican Institute for Development, organized two Roundtables dealing with
‘decentralization policies and socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa’
in July and October
1989,
in Douala, Cameroon.
The concept of decentralization discussed during these Roundtables remained,
for the most part, flexible. It was roughly defined as ‘the sharing of power and
the transfer of responsibilities from
a
central government to local and regional institu-
tions’. But participants devoted as much time to the concept commonly known as
‘deconcentration’ (that is, entrusting responsibility to local institutions that still
answer to the central government, e.g. regional offices, government boards, and
so
forth).
Overall, discussions raised both general and specific considerations, particularly:
(i) the institutional framework; (ii) the financial aspects of decentralization; (iii) the
training and social mobilization needs; and (iv) the role of foreign aid in implementing
decentralization policies. At
a
general level, participants recognized that decentraliza-
tion
is
a complex issue because it is relative to the particular country and raises
crucial questions of power sharing. It may be seen as
a
general societal project
or simply as one way of improving public management.
The Institutional framework
This topic was dealt with from different perspectives. Participants concentrated on
the institutional arrangements ensuring the formulation, implementation, and follow-
up of planned decentralization policies. Regardless of the scope of any decentraliza-
tion operation, the following three factors were deemed essential:
027
1-2075/90/040467-06/$05.00
0
1990
by
John
Wiley
&
Sons, Ltd.
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