Public Administration and International Cooperation of Territorial Units

Transcription

1 Volume XIII No.4 Autumn Public Administration and International Cooperation of Territorial Units Martina Halaskova, Technical University Ostrava, Faculty of Economics, Department of Public Ekonomics, Ostrava, Czech Republic The most important task of euroregion is support of cooperation in areas of local and regional planning, environmental project support, economic cooperation, culture, sports and creation of environment for interpersonal exchange. Subjects that cooperate within euro-regions are cities, counties and townships, eventually also communal and regional structures. Often even regional business chambers, unions and social partners take part in cross border cooperation. However when such initiative fails to attract resident population even cross-border radio broadcasts, cross-border public transport connections, multinational grammar schools, natural preservation areas and parks or even common anti-flood teams do not bring results. Euro-regions should be viewed as particles of a rich European mosaic. [continued on page 2] > PA in CEE PA and International Cooperation of Territorial Units / 1 Studies, Programmes & Projects Overview / 5 PA on Internet NISPAcee news 4/2006 Interesting Web Sites / 9 Review of Activities Calendar of Events / 10 Recent Publications / 12 NISPAcee Events NISPAcee / SlovakAid project Training of Young Professionals / 15 NISPAcee Announcements Translations into CEE National Languages / 17 NISPAcee Yearbook / 17 The 15 th NISPAcee Annual Conference / 18 NISPAcee Membership / 20 21

2 Public Administration in CEE 2 >[continued from page 1] 1. Importance of cross border and International cooperation The European Union within its regional policy concept and through INTERREG initiative supports cross-border development programs with the aim to overcome rigid problems that may became an obstacle to future European integration. A parallel program of cross-border cooperation to INTERREG initiative was CBC PHARE program in the Czech Republic (including so called Fund of Small Projects CBC PHARE). The very first projects of crossborder cooperation started on the territory of the Czech Republic already in the first half of nineties. These initiatives were formed predominantly as cross-border cooperation entities, as euro-regions, or as other non-formal initiatives for cross-border cooperation. Euro-region is a type of multi national cooperation entity that involves town and county initiatives. The aim of euro-regions is predominantly the support and implementation of projects that reflect all forms of cooperation among its member parties. The main motivation for member cities and counties that are represented by their principal public officials is elimination of inequalities between regions on both sides of border. These efforts consequently lead to gradual improvement of economic and social development. Cooperation that crosses borders helps to eliminate disadvantages of border regions. Cooperation crosses national boundaries of bordering regions and improves living conditions of the resident population. Cooperation should influence all cultural, social, economical spheres and infrastructure projects that affect the daily lives of local population. Work of euro-regional initiatives of towns and counties in the neighboring regions of the Czech Republic is focused partially on planning and preparation of concrete projects that will revitalize the region among others from European funds (within the PHARE CBC and INTERREG project schemes). Work involves from the collection of ideas at the level of municipalities, to counseling during the preparation stages of projects. The regional development agencies among others often take part in the preparatory work. The work involves: submitting proposals and preparation of projects (consultancy), securing variety of different cross-border paperwork that is required for proposed projects, cooperation with a regional council project exchange within a given program, after deciding on funding, a consideration is given to possible cooperation with regional development agency, taking part in countrywide programs (grants, implementation of country regional policy, securing information flow), taking part in the implementation of international programs (PHARE, INTERREG, later directly connecting directly to structural funds), own advisory activities. 1.1 Public administration and Euro-Regions Euroregion is an area of cross-border cooperation which resulted from mutual agreement of crossborder regions in two or more countries. Euroregion functions based on its own statutes. It supports interests of municipalities, associations of organizations and individuals. Based on region, Euroregion supports activities leading to making of international contracts which helps a cross-border cooperation. In the cross-border cooperation towns, villages and whole counties including communal and regional units are involved. This involvement very often includes regional chambers of commerce trade unions and local partnerships. European Commission supports these activities to the largest possible degree. One of the most important tasks of euro-regions is support and further development of cooperation in the areas of regional planning; environmental economic and cultural project support, and creation of exchange of opinions and ideas. Generally, any membership in euro-regions is voluntary. There are regular and honorary members. Members of euro-regions can be towns and communities the authorities of which legally recognize the conclusions of euro-region institutions to which they are signatory bound. This form of cooperation does not create more and new structures; it only becomes a servicing spot for cross-border affairs. Individual national representations cooperate in variety of events. One of their activities is putting together a mutual calendar of social cultural and sports events taking place in a particular euro-region. Among them support of regional tourism, cultural exchange, coordination of regional rescue systems, support of projects in environmental economic and commercial areas, cooperation between schools and universities and the like can be named. Nowadays there are thirteen euro-regions working in the Czech Republic that combine the area of more then 40 out of all together 76 existing districts: (Neisse / Nisa, Nysa, Elbe / Labe, Krušnohoří / Erzgebirge, Egrensis, Šumava / Bayerischer Wald / Mühlviertel, Glacensis, Praděd / Pradziad, Těšínské Slezsko / Słąsk Cieszyński, Silesia, Beskydy / Beskidy, Pomoraví, euro-region Silva Nortica and Bílé Karpaty / Biele Karpaty).

3 Public Administration in CEE In Poland there are also thirteen euro-regions: Pomerania, Bałtyk, Niemen, Bug, Karpacki, Tatry, Słąsk Cieszyński, Silesia, Pradziad, Glacensis, Nysa, Sprewa-Nisa-Bóbr and Pro Europa Viadrina. In Slovakia there is about the same number of euro-regions. 1.2 Financing of Euro-Regions Euro-regions are financed from EU funds, from own sources of the participating cities and counties, by foundations, sponsors and by the private sector. EU funds were mostly channeled through PHARE program (CBC). After the accession of the Czech Republic and Poland into the EU the PHARE program has been terminated. Nowadays all EU member states can obtain funds directly from the European Regional Development Fund and from the EU s INTERREG III initiative. The Interreg III is an initiative, which aims to stimulate interregional cooperation, and is designed to strengthen social and economic cohesion inside the EU. This program is used predominantly by remote regions and by regions neighboring with newly acceding countries. INTERREG III represents 2.2 % of the structural fund in the period of Fifteen member countries of the EU may use up in this period up to 4,875 billions EUR. Ten new members of the EU may in the period of use up to 425 millions EUR, out of that amount the Czech republic alone may use 61 millions EUR and for example Poland 196 millions EUR. INTERREG III initiative supports three pillars of cooperation: (A = cross-border cooperation; B = multinational cooperation; C = interregional cooperation. ) INTERREG III is predominantly oriented on the cross-border cooperation, which takes up to 80 % of overall budget. And since there is ten new members that acceded EU in 2004 the overall budget of INTERREG IIIA for period of amounts to around 1.56 billions CZK. For the period of there should be available altogether 48.8 million EUR for the support of smaller projects of crossborder cooperation with neighboring countries, out of which 14.6 millions EUR for border regions between the Czech Republic and Poland, 9.8 millions EUR for regions between the Czech Republic and Austria, 8.75 million EUR for border region of Northwestern Bohemia and Saxony, 8.0 million EUR for border regions between the Czech Republic and Slovakia and 7.65 million EUR for regions between Southwest Bohemia and Bavaria. Distribution of Funds is conditional, upon the submission of related paperwork that is prepared in cooperation with regions; it has to be strengthened by co-financing, and some other technical conditions have to be met as well. 2. Czech-Polish cooperation the example of euroregion Beskydy 2.1 Beskydy Euro region Beskydy Euro-region is a voluntary Slovak-Czech-Polish association. It does not have legal personality.all its bodies act in accordance with legislation of the Slovak Republic, Poland and Czech Republic. Contractual parties must continuously inform each other about changes in structure of their association as well as about territorial changes of individual parts of Euroregion. Euro-region Beskydy was originally founded in Poland. It merged neighboring regions of two countries, Poland and Slovakia (Region Beskidy and Región Beskydy). The later idea of joining existing subject originated on the Czech side and reflected necessity to unify mutual efforts of using EU funds in the process of unifying economic policy and legislation. Region Beskydy became a partner for similar initiatives on Slovak and Polish side that led to creation of international initiative of euro-region Beskydy. Euro-region Beskydy is historically the very first euro-region that connects bordering regions of three post-communist countries. The number of existing euro-regions on the territory of Northern Moravia and Czech Silesia (euroregion Praděd, euro-region Silesia, euro-region Těšínské Slezsko) has been until today increased by euro-region Beskydy that borders with euro-region Těšínské Slezsko. Euro-region Beskydy is situated on the border zone in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic, northwestern part of the Slovak Republic and southern part of Polish Republic. The true heart of the euro-region are on the Czech side Frýdek-Místek, on the Polish side Bielsko-Biala and in Slovakia Žilina. Also the main route connecting North, South and East Europe passes this region. There are six sections working under the Beskydy region: Section for economy, trade, industry, small and medium enterprises, transport infrastructure. Section for posts, telecommunications and information exchange. Section for agriculture, forestry, food processing. Section for education, schools, universities, health care. Section for tourism, culture, edification and sports. Section for preservation of natural environment, urban planning and construction. 2.2 Organizational structure and territorial division Bodies of Euroregion Presidium of Euroregion, NISPAcee news 4/2006

4 Public Administration in CEE 4 Revision Committee, Work Groups, Secretariat of Euroregion. Presidium The president of Euroregion Presidium is elected for period of 1 year, from members of presidium. Representatives of the Slovak, Polish and Czech party alternate at the position of the president of Presidium. Among tasks of Presidium there is the following: representation of Euroregion outwards, approval of financial plans, approval of statutes, compilation of information reports on activities, summoning of common association meetings. Revision Committee is a control body of Euroregion. Work groups they cover concept processing of common projects and implement tasks assigned by Presidium of Euroregion. Secretariat of Euroregion consists of three offices in Žilina, Bielsko- Biala and Frýdek-Místek. Among tasks of Secretariat there is the following: providing of administrative and office services for Euroregion, presentation of Euroregion outwards, summoning of meetings of Euroregion Presidium, preparation of resolution proposals and their presentation to Presidium, fulfillment of resolution of Euroregion Presidium From the state administration point of view the euro-region stretches: on the Czech Republic side from Frýdek-Místek county and a part of Karviná district that goes along the state borders, on Poland it is district of Bielsko-Biala and on Slovakia cities and districts of Žilina region. Size of the euro-region on the Czech side amounts to 605 km 2 and stretches to cities of Havířov, Ostrava, Příbor, Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. More and more cities attempt to join the euroregion all restricted to the area of Beskydy Mountains. The area is likely to include in the future in the direction of Vsetín and Rožnov districts. Nowadays the euro-region of Beskydy already includes seven subjects on the Czech side. Altogether on the Czech side of the euro-region Beskydy there are 5 cities and 55 municipalities with a population of more then people. Polish side of the euro-region Beskidy consists district of Bielski Powiat Ziemski, Žywiec, Sucha, Beskidzka. There are 4 cities and 20 municipalities. On Slovakia side the euro-region Beskydy involves 7 cities and 42 municipalities. The main aims of the euro-region Beskydy initiative are joined activities towards the equal and balanced regional development as well as convergence of its residents and institutions. Predominantly in the areas of exchange of knowledge and information that concern the region, labor market, urban planning and civil construction, unified approach to solving common problems in areas of transport, transport routes, public city transport systems, and telecommunications, problems of ecology and native environment, economy, trade, industry and many other activities that include for example development of tourism. 3. Conclusion A cross-border cooperation is characteristic for unification process especially after the Second World War and involves border regions. Especially in the Western Europe many initiatives of this type had been set up. So-called Eastern Europe is no longer an exception in this regard. On the territory of the Czech Republic the very first projects started in the first half of the nineties. These initiatives were predominantly formed on a cross-border cooperation basis that is as euro-regions, or as other non-formal cross border cooperation entities. One of the examples of cooperation between the Czech Republic and Poland is euro-region Beskydy that is historically the very first euro-region connecting borders of three post-communist countries (Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia). Euro-regions are mostly financed from the small project funds, INTERREG III A and Program PHARE CBC. Each euroregion has its own programs for its own particular development. Cooperation concerns mutual social, cultural and sport activities that take place on the territory of a given euro-region work and support of tourism, cultural and interpersonal exchanges, cooperation among schools, support of economic development and trade, common approach to problems from the area of natural environment, and so on. Bibliography 1. Halásková, M. Využívání předvstupních fondů EU pro potřeby regionů soudržnosti. Ostrava: VŠB TU Ostrava, EKF, ISBN X 2. Přeshraniční spolupráce. Praha: MMR ČR, accessible on (2006) 3. Euro-region Beskydy accessible on (2006) 4. Euro-region Beskydy accessible on (2006) 5. Euro-region Beskydy accessible on (2006) 6. Centrum pro regionální rozvoj accessible on (2006)

5 Studies, Programmes & Projects 1. Maastricht Graduate School of Governance Seminar Series The Maastricht Graduate School of Governance established the Social Policy Seminar Series in 2005 to encourage the exchange of ideas within the area of welfare, social protection and social policy in a (European and) multidisciplinary perspective. Every two weeks the MGSoG invites distinguished professionals (ranging from academics to policymakers) to Maastricht to give presentations on topics of current interest. Speakers may discuss recently completed or early-stage research that they have undertaken, or report other types of professional activity. The seminars are aimed at scholars and academics as well as all those interested in policy analysis, risk assessment, policy design, policy monitoring, policy evaluation as well as methods and techniques of policy research applied to topics within social protection. If you wish to attend one of the seminar series or receive regular updates on upcoming seminars, please us at g.notten@algec.unimaas.nl Projects Basic Social Protection in Low Income Countries Global Social Policy and Global Social Governance Change of degrees and degrees of change: Comparing adaptations of European higher education systems in the context of the Bologna process Evaluating England s New Deal for Communities using the Difference in Difference Method Masters programmes in: Public Policy and Human Development, Social Protection Policy, Economic Policy Research and Social Protection Financing The Maastricht Graduate School of Governance is one of the first institutes within Europe that trains students to combine a high level of academic scholarship with leadership in order to strengthen democratic governance in domestic and international organisations. The graduates are educated to analyse contemporary public policy issues and by doing so, to pave the road for innovative developments in the world today. We offer both internationally recognised PhD and master s programmes in fields such as governance and policy analysis, social policy protection and economic policy research. The Maastricht Graduate School of Governance unites the excellence of the faculties of Maastricht Universityand the input of top scholars from other universities and research institutes. Complementory information on our School and detailed information on our programmes can be found at The application deadlines for the master s programmes are: For starting in February: For students who require a visa: 15 November For students who do not require a visa: 1 January For starting in September: For students who require a visa: 15 June For students who do not require a visa: 1 August The application deadlines for the PhD programmes are: For the ESPP programme: 1 February every year For the GAPA programme: 1 February every year For the GPAC² programme: 1 November every year If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Student Affairs Office via info-gov@governance.unimaas. nl PhD programme in Governance and Policy Analysis Dual Career GPAC² The GPAC² PhD programme is a versatile programme especially designed to allow researchers with a job to work on and to finish a PhD. The first nine months are used to attend concentrated courses and to work on the research proposal. The courses are offered in Maastricht and focus on research skills and basic subjects in policy analysis. Courses are offered in a workshop fashion, with lectures during four days followed by an exam or paper assignment. In total the fellows have to attend four two-week workshops and two one-week courses during the first nine months. Next to the coursework and the workshops, the participants are expected to prepare a detailed research proposal to be finalized and defended during the last weeks of the nine-month period. The precise content of the workshops, seminars and courses will be communicated to the participants at the beginning of the first period. After period one, the participants have to attend at least six weeks of courses to be chosen from the list of PhD courses offered by the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance. The board of examiners and the academic director of the programme can allow alterations and adjustments in the programme for individual participants in order to accommodate the coursework with their professional life or with their research ambitions NISPAcee news 4/2006

6 Studies, Programmes & Projects and needs. Adjustments may include rearrangement or substitution of elements of the programme. The programme allows for maximal flexibility although academic rigor and standards are not jeopardized. For more information, visit our website: 2. Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic Since May 2006, Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic begun to implement new project Citizens Charts, in some countries this concept is also know as service charts. The key objective of the project is to introduce a new public management tool which helps to improve relationships between customers/clients/citizens on the one hand and an organisation of public service on the other hand. Citizens Charts leads to some structural changes in the organisations in order substantially improve services to the public. Ministry of the Czech Republic, implements this project together with organisation Sigma which was established by OECD and EU. The Sigma experts leading projects are: Prof. Parrado Díeze and Dr. Elke Löfler; for Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic the project guarantees are: Mr. Tomáš Zmeškal (zmeskal@mvcr. cz) and Mrs. Tereza Novotná (tnovotna@mvcr.cz). Among the organisations which joined the projects are: Prague Transport System (the biggest transport provider in the Czech Republic), Brno Public Library (the second biggest library in the Czech Republic), various municipal offices and old people homes. 3. Center for Social & Economic Strategies, Institute of Sociological Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Czech Republic Civil Society and New Forms of Governance in Europe The Making of European Citizenship Network of Excellence under the 6th EU Framework Program: cooperation with more than 40 universities and research centers. Roskilde University (Denmark) is the chief project coordinator. CESES is both the Czech national research coordinator and the network s main coordinator of effective transfer of scientific findings and best practice to many target groups at various European Community levels. The Role of Organized Civil Society for the Governance of Transition in the Czech Republic under the 6th EU Framework Program: approved by the European Commission in the framework of the Marie Curie Chair Program, CESES (along with the Institute of Sociological Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences) The Third Sector and the Development of European Public: A joint project of nine EU Member States within a thematic network analyzes EU policy impacts on the public policies of individual countries in the field of nonprofit sector. The project is funded by the European Commission. Quality of Life in an Enlarged Europe: CESES is an institutional contributor to the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin, Ireland) and the Wissenschaftszentrum für Sozialforschung (Berlin, Germany) in international comparative research of the quality of life in old and new European Union Member States. Mental Health and Policy Research Training Program: joint project of CESES at the Charles University Faculty of Social Sciences with The School of Public Health at the University of California(Berkeley, U.S.A.). Millennium Project (United Nations University, Washington D.C., U.S.A.) for Central and Eastern Europe: The project is a thinktank set up by close interaction of various institutional, professional and geographic orientations. Shared values and behavior norms as a source of reinforcement of social cohesion and overcoming of the negative impacts of the social differentiation in the Czech Republic, National Program of Research II program 2D Social-economic Development of Czech Society. Visions and Strategies of the Development of Czech Society within the EU: a partial project developed within the framework of a joint research intention of Charles University s Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophical Faculty. Partial research topics: Vision and strategies of Czech Society s development within the EU concepts, coordination, communication; Strategic governance; Modernization and its actors; Czech economy: competition and social cohesion; Security; Methodology of analyzing and formulating public policies and strategies Strategic Audit for the Czech Republic: a partial project to assess post-1989 developmental trends in the country by means of

7 Studies, Programmes & Projects graphs, charts and concise texts against the background of international comparisons. Elites and Public Actors of Modernization: a set of quantitativesociological research outputs Preparing Education Policy courses for master degree students of Public and Social Policy at the Charles University Faculty of Social Sciences Preparing Security Policy courses for master degree students of Public and Social Policy at the Charles University Faculty of Social Sciences Research of Social and Cultural Cohesion in a Differentiated Society, National Program of Research I, Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Systematic Development of Forecasting Methodology, a Czech Republic Grant Agency research project: finished in December An international seminar, The Second Prague Workshop on Futures Studies Methodology and the 8th Colloquium on Designing the Future in Europe 05 was held in October Education, advisory and consultative center for upgrading strategicmanagement, a project under the JPD3 Program aided by the European Social Fund 4. Master of European Legal Studies Starting in September 2006, the European Centre for Judges and Lawyers, the Luxembourg Antenna of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is offering a 2 year postgraduate programme leading to an updated Master on European Legal Studies in order to meet the new academic requirements imposed by the so called Bologna process, which aims at harmonising graduate and postgraduate studies at EU level. This Master constitutes a truly international study programme: it is offered in partnership with the University of Nancy 2 and in cooperation with the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance of the University of Luxembourg, and participants, who successfully conclude the programme, will be awarded an EIPA Master Diploma on European Legal Studies and a French Master Diploma. EIPA and Luxembourg University are currently in discussion over the possibility of the latter to become one of the partners awarding the master degree. Target Groups The programme is mainly intended for civil servants, EU officials, lawyers, judges and other legal experts, as well as professionals and graduates interested in EU law. No prior degree in law is required to participate in the programme The courses are held in English and in French. The participants must be able to speak and write in one of these two languages (active knowledge) and read and understand the other language (passive knowledge). Further information: on=products&section=m&id=1746. Mrs Juliette Mollicone-Boussuge, Programme Organiser, phone: , fax: , j.boussuge@eipa.net, website: ( Training and Research ). 5. Master of Business Administration in Public Governance and Management The Master of Business Administration in Public Governance and Management of Modul is a unique program, specifically designed to suit the needs of a modern civil service in Central and Eastern European countries, the Balkans and Newly Independent States. The MODUL university program builds on Austria s long history of strong relationships with Central and Eastern European countries and offers wide expertise in administrative and European law, based on the Austrian Rechtsstaat tradition. As the World Bank and OECD recognise, the rule of law is a key element of good governance in all countries around the world. This MBA program therefore focuses on how modern approaches to public governance and management can operate within current national frameworks, with a view to the European integration process of CEE countries and other accession countries. The MBA program in Public Governance and Management is primarily designed for people who have been employed in public institutions, people from other sectors with experience of working with public institutions and university graduates who aim at making their career in the public sector. The curriculum has been designed in accordance with the values of the European welfare state and emphasizes democratic NISPAcee news 4/2006

8 Studies, Programmes & Projects governance and effective service delivery. It comprises mandatory courses and a series of electives. Duration of studies: 4 terms (18 months) The academic year is divided into a fall, a spring and a summer term; the Master thesis is compiled during the 4th term. The modular program structure and flexible schedule include blocks of courses of an average of contact hours per week as well as intensive self study and individual research An innovative coaching and mentoring system will further the development of personal and social skills in a multi-cultural environment and provide tailor-made career planning. Language of instruction: English Total number of students per year: 30 Tuition fee: 28,000 for the entire 4 term program; some scholarships are available The MBA in Public Governance is cooperating with staff from the following universities in the field of scientific research: University of Birmingham, United Kingdom Corvinus University Budapest, Hungary University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Matej Bel Univsersity, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia Scholarships Some scholarships will be available, on a competitive basis. These will be sponsored by Austrian public institutions and companies and will range from 50% 100% of the tuition fee. For further information please contact: Ms Wilma Habitzl, office@modul.ac.at 6. Course Learning Community Local Agenda & Participatory Budget The Learning Community training addresses local stakeholders such as town councillors, representatives of public authorities organisations and multipliers if civil society. As a European Course, Learning Community offers a mutual exchange of experience and expertise among participants and facilitators of different European countries and various local contexts. Objectives Participants will gain profound theoretical and practical knowledge of the approaches Local Agenda and Participatory Budget learn, test and evaluate different participatory methodologies and instruments useful for local level implementation be able to plan, design and conduct a Local Agenda and Participatory Budget process on community level know how to consider and strengthen local participatory processes and make them long lasting be able to address new challenges in their professional field of action by reflecting very particular case studies and find solutions to specific problems. Learning Community addresses: town councillors, representatives of public authorities, organisations of civil society, multipliers, esp. with educational background Who can apply? The Course is open to citizens of European Union member states and associated countries. Course A and B are equivalent with slight differences only. Application to Socrates Programme for a Grant is possible through the Socrates National Agency of the participant s country of origin. Please check requirements and procedures: www. ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/nat-est_en.html Pre-registration at KATE (for Berlin) or ACSUR (for Valencia) is necessary before applying to your National Agency. Language English Learning Community COURSE A Date: October 22 26, 2006 Place Berlin, Germany Fee Course Fee: 675 Euro Food and Lodging: 420 Euro Information and Application Kontaktstelle für Umwelt & Entwicklung KATE Gabriele Winkler Gabi.Winkler@ kate-stuttgart.org Blumenstraße 19, D Stuttgart, Germany Fon: 0049 (0) Fax: 0049 (0) Learning Community COURSE B Date: November 27 December 1, 2006 Place Valencia, Spain Course Fee: 707 Euro Food and Lodging: 452 Euro Information and Application ACSUD Las Segovias Marise Fonseca, learning.community.acsud@gmail.com C/ Puerto Rico 28-2, Valencia 46006, Spain Fon: Fax: Learning Community is a project of KATE Kontaktstelle für Umwelt & Entwicklung / Center for Ecology and Development Stuttgart, Germany, in cooperation with other international organisations. Learning Community is funded by the European Commission, Socrates Programme.

9 Public Administration on Internet to Web Sites eceg2007/eceg07-home.htm The 7th European Conference on e-government (ECEG 2007) invites researchers, practitioners and academics to present their research findings, work in progress and conceptual advances in any branch of e-government in June 21-22, 2007 at Hague University of Professional Education, The Hague, Netherlands. Academic enquiries: Professor Dan Remenyi, dan. Submission enquiries: Elaine Hayne, Registration enquiries: Charl Walters, Other enquiries: The Institute for Social and European Studies (ISES) is organises its Master Programme in International Relations and European Studies for the Academic Year 2006/2007, at the European University Institute in Kőszeg, Hungary. In every academic year 30 international students can have the opportunity to participate in this Master Programme at the medieval Kőszeg and obtain theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of International Relations, problems of small states in Europe, Revolution of the EU, the Balkans, international economics, regional integration and development, political science, European culture and sociology. guest/browseoneconference.asp?conference_ id=1992 The Division of Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) of the United Nations in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly for Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA- CIS) and other International and National Organisations including NISPAcee hold a Regional Forum in Russia from 26 to 28 September The theme of the Regional Forum is Building Trust in Government Through Leadership Capacity Building. NISPAcee news 4/2006

10 Review of Activities 10 Calendar of Events Publishing for the UK and US Market: A Course for Eastern European Academics and Policymakers By appointment only. Oxford, UK Bryane Michael, phone: , bryane.michael@oxbiz.org October 13 15, 2006 Conference Curbing Political Corruption: Anticorruption as Revolution Place: Sinaia Mountain Resort, Romania Adrian Savin, Romanian Academic Society, adrian@sar.org.ro, phone: , , web: October 25 26, 2006, Social Inclusion Conference Advanced Academic Update on Social Inclusion and Social Policy in the 8 new EU Member States Ms. Charlotte Groven, Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, The Netherlands, phone: , charlotte.groven@governance. unimaas.nl, web: October 26, 2006, International Seminar round table session Social Economy and Social Enterprise as a Tool of Public Policies Faculty of Social and Economic Studies, Universita JEP, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic, mazancova@fse.ujep.cz, huncova@fse.ujep.cz, phone: , , October 27, 2006, Conference Modernization of the Public Administration System of the Republic of Kazakhstan: The Main Priorities and Mechanisms Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan, nii@kepter.kz, acadgs1@ kepter.kz, acadinter@kepter.kz, phone/fax: , , , , , web: htpp:/ November 2 3, 2006, Conference The Czech Republic in EU: Inspiration and Transformation Working language: Czech Place: Prague, Czech Republic Prof. Martin Potucek, CESES, Celetna 20, Prague 1, tel , fax , potucek@fsv.cuni.cz November 5 9, 2006, Introductory training for policy-makers: Ethnic Diversity and Public Service Delivery Place: Budapest, Hungary Judit Benke, LGI/OSI, jbenke@osi.hu, phone: , fax: November 9 12, 2006, International Conference Uncertain Transformation New Domestic and International Challenges Place: Riga, Latvia Inga Kanasta, Ieva Zlemeta, Riga, Latvia, phone: , fax: , conferenceaspri@lu.lv November 10, 2006, Conference EU as a Global and Regional Security Actor Working language: Czech, English Place: Prague, Czech Republic Libor Stejskal, CESES, Celetna 20, Prague 1, tel , fax , stejskli@fsv.cuni.cz December 7 8, 2006, Anti-Corruption Winter School Anti-Corruption Project Co-ordinator, Oxford, UK, phone: , fax: , academic.orders@oxbiz.org December 13 17, 2006, Conference of Kopaonik School of Natural Law Law and Human Future Belgrade, Serbia, phone: / or / , fax: / , upj@eunet.yu January 17 19, 2007, The 3rd National Quality Conference in Public Administration in the Czech Republic Place: Liberec, Czech Republic Mr Pavel Kajml, Modernisation of Public Administration, Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic, kajml@mvcr.cz January 19 22, 2007, Conference Youth, Globalization and Migration Local Diversity in Transition Language: English Site: Smolenice Castle, Slovakia Carsten Yndigegn, cy@sam.sdu.dk, web: ESARNYouthGeneration_Call2006. htm Events of the Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Courses organized in autumn semester 2006: Transformation of Public Sector Working language: English Robert Jahoda, jahoda@econ.muni.cz European Union Public Policy: From Agenda Setting to Policy Formulation and Policy Decision Making, and Through to Policy Implementation Working language: English David Spacek, spacekov@econ.muni.cz Impacts of the transformation on the regional development of the Czech Republic Working language: English Vladimir Zitek, zitek@econ.muni.cz Culture and Mass Media Economy Working language: English, Czech

11 Review of Activities Simona Skarabelová, muni.cz Events of Eszterházy Károly College, Eger, Hungary November 27 28, 2006, Conference The NATO and Ukraine Working language: Hungarian, Ukraine, English October 19, December 7, 2006, Workshop What is the world like? Working language: Hungarian or English Dr. Agnes Horvath Raczne, phone: , fax: , Events of Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania November, 14, 2006, Workshop Implementing National Lisbon Strategy: Opportunities for Curriculum Development Working language: Lithuanian, English November, 14, 2006, Workshop New Public Management and Organizational Science Working language: Lithuanian, English Jonas Jagminas, phone: , November 16, 2006, Conference Innovation Policy in Lithuania: Problems and Perspectives Working language: Lithuanian, English Zilvinas Zidonis, Valakupiu 5, Vilnius, Lithuania, phone: , Events of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) Seminars on European Negotiations: October 9 11, 2006 Techniques to Manage Procedures, People and Package Deals to Survive European Negotiations November 16 17, 2006 You and the EU: Techniques to Manage Interpersonal and Intercultural Relationships in European Negotiations Noelle Debie, Maastricht, phone: , fax: , web: October 23 24, 2006, Seminar Managing Change in the Public Administration Gediz Cleffken, EIPA, Maastricht, The Netherlands, phone: Fax: , g.cleffken@eipa-nl.com October 26 27, 2006, Seminar Opportunities and Obstacles to Free Movement: Where Do We Stand? European Centre for Judges and Lawyers, Luxembourg, phone: , fax: , s.boudot@eipa.net November 6 8, 2006, Seminar Fashion or Necessity? Comparing Experiences Gained with EU Agencies Joyce J.W.M. Groneschild, Maastricht, The Netherlands, phone: , fax: , j.groneschild@eipa-nl.com November 9 10, 2006, Seminar Part- Time Work and New Forms of Employment: Ways to Bring Employment to More People? Socio-Economic, Legal and Practical Aspects EIPA-CEFASS, Milano, Italy, phone: / , r.hessel@eipa-it.com November 16 17, 2006, Training The Common Assessment Framework in Action Ann Stoffels, CAF Resource Centre, EIPA, Maastricht, The Netherlands, phone: , caf@eipa-nl.com, fax: November 30 December 1, 2006, Annual Conference Recent Trends in the Case Law of the European Courts: What Directions for the Future? Place: Luxembourg Language: English, French Ms. Christiane Lamesch, EIPA European Centre for Judges and Lawyers, phone: , c.lamesch@eipa.net, web: &section=m&id=1513&fct=open December 4 5, 2006, Seminar EU Communication in a Regional and Local Context: Planning, Structuring & Transmitting European Information and Campaigns Place: Barcelona, Spain Caroline Layous Dit Chicoy, Barcelona, phone: Fax.: (+34) December 4 5, 2006, CAF Training Event for Courts: The CAF (Common Assessment Framework) for Courts Ms. Christiane Lamesch, EIPA European Centre for Judges and Lawyers, phone: , c.lamesch@eipa. net Events at the International Institute for Public Administration and Management, Russian Academy of Public Administration, Moscow, Russia November 13 26, 2006, Workshop for the Kazakhstani public managers Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness of Public Administration Working language: Russian with simultaneous translation from English November 13 26, 2006, Workshop for German public managers Working language: German with simultaneous translation from Russian November 13 26, 2006, Training program on municipal management (in cooperation with Carleton University, Canada) Working language: Russian with simultaneous translation from English November 22 24, 2006, Conference for the alumni of the German internship program Working language: Russian with simultaneous translation from German Sergei Pushkarev, phone: +7 (495) , sergei_pushkarev@mail.ru NISPAcee news 4/

12 Review of Activities Recent Publications 12 The Visegrad States on the EU s Eastern Frontier. Consular and Visa Co-operation in East Central Europe for Residents of Ukraine and Moldova. CPS Policy Studies Series Authors: Piotr Kazmierkiewicz, Dora Husz, Juraj Misina. Ivo Slosarcik Price: free Resume: This study takes a close look at the visa and consular policies of the Visegrad countries (V4) - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - in the context of recent EU accession and the requirements of full integration into the Schengen system. For the Visegrad countries Eastern neighbours the requirement to obtain a visa, introduced by the V4 to comply with the EU s Justice and Home Affairs acquis, in order to travel to the new member states was the single most disruptive aspect of EU enlargement. The principal aim of this study, undertaken by four research institutes from the four countries, is thus to assess the feasibility of closer co-operation among the Visegrad governments and authorities in order to improve access for the citizens of Ukraine and Moldova. The study starts from a review of the introduction of, and accumulated experiences with, the existing visa regimes of the four countries. This includes an analysis of the various solutions the V4 countries applied for mitigating the negative consequences of the visa requirement for travellers from countries to their East, and an assessment of the current practices of issuing visas as seen by both staff at consulates and the visa applicants themselves. The study then considers the background of Visegrad cooperation and analyses possible ways of enhancing it in the area of consular and visa policy visŕ-vis the Ukraine and Moldova. Finally, a number of concrete recommendations are put forward for policy-makers working in this area. Centre for Policy Studies, Budapest, Hungary, vargab@ceu.hu New members New Challenges for the European Regional Development Policy Editors: T. Markowski, M. Turala Publisher: Polish Academy of Sciences Price: 25 EUR Language: English Resume: The publication is a result of an ERSA (European Regional Science Association) Summer Institute held in July 2005 in Poland which attracted a large number of young adepts of regional sciences wishing to present their achievements and listen to presentations held by their older and more experienced colleagues. The results of this meeting have proven to be interesting and inspiring enough to publish the best papers lying within the themes of the Summer Institute. The theme of this Summer Institute seems to have been quite inspiring for authors allowing a serious publication including many papers, grouped into logically connected parts. It has three parts: EU enlargement and its impact on the situation of old and new member states; Regional development and regional development policy in the EU; Modern trends and problems facing regional development Maciej Turala, mturala@uni.lodz.pl Public Administration in the 21 st Century: Traditions and Innovations The book contains proceedings of the 4 th international conference of School of Public Administration held in May 24 26, 2006 in Moscow. Language: Russian, English E-version of the book one can find on ru/materials_06.html Tatiana Zaytseva, Zaytv@spa.msu.ru New NISPAcee publications Local Government Financial Capacity Building in Transition Countries: Selected Country Studies, Ed. Zeljko Sevic

13 Review of Activities Reference Guide for Horizontal Integration, Eds. Peter Goldschmidt, Marta Darulova, Toni Niculescu, Anton Stemberger Publications of Academy of PA? Yerevan, Armenia Implementation The Missing Link in Public Administration Reform in CEE, Eds. William N. Dunn, Katarina Staronova, Sergei Pushkarev Local Government Non-tax Revenue Sources in Transition Countries: User Fees and Charges, Ed. Zeljko Sevic Public Policy Analysis Manual Editors: Armen Harutyunyan and Yuri Suvaryan Publisher: Public Service, Yerevan 2005 Language: Armenian Resume: Democratic Governance in CEE Countries: Challenges and Responses for the XXI Century, Eds. Alan Rosenbaum, Juraj Nemec Politico-administrative Dilemma: Traditional Problems and New Solutions, Eds. B. Guy Peters, G. Sootla, B. Connaughton Juraj Sklenar, NISPAcee Secretariat, The book highlights the methodology of public policy analysis, principles of drafting public policy and its phases. Special focus is on comments pertaining to authorities and functions of institutions conducting their activities in the sphere of political system. It also focuses on analysis of public policy in the Republic of Armenia. NISPAcee news 4/2006 Benefit-Costs Analysis Guide 13

14 Review of Activities 14 Translation from English into Armenian Editors: Armen Harutyunyan and Yuri Suvaryan Publisher: Public Service, Yerevan 2005 Language: Armenian Resume: The Guide includes principles and methods of evaluation and analysis of benefits and costs of public administration system, as well as decision making under uncertain circumstances, and quantitative assessment of risks. It is the first time that Armenian reader gets familiarised with such a practical guide. This Guide s main target groups are university students majoring in public administration, economics, as well as civil servants, consultants, trainers and researchers in the field of public administration. Beyond Policy Analysis: Public Issue Management in Turbulent Times The translated version of third English edition Editors: Armen Harutyunyan and Yuri Suvaryan Publisher: Public Service, Yerevan 2005 Language: Armenian Resume: The book highlights the methodology of public policy analysis, including problem definition, policy drafting and selection of instruments to address problems, as well as organisation of policy delivery and its evaluation. It especially focuses on features of public administration and challenges under globalisation and emergency situations. The manual s target groups are university students majoring in public administration and political science, as well as practical employees involved in solving issues related to theoretical and practical problems of public administration, civil servants trainers, and researchers in public administration and public policy Tereza Khechoyan, phone/fax: , aspa@ nt.am, Khechoyantereza@ yahoo.com The full versions of the publications are available at: Publications of Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania Management and Administrative Methods Author: Vladimiras Obrazcovas Price: 28 Lt Language: Lithuanian The author describes more then 60 management and administrative methods in economics, finances, marketing, strategy, competition, change management, psychology, problem solving. Examples how to use these methods are presented. The book is valuable for managers, students and for all, interested in management and administration. Social-Political Effectiveness of Municipal Institutions Editor: Stasys Puskorius Price: 71 Lt (in Lithuanian) Language: Lithuanian The monograph presents results of collaborative research on local government institutions in Lithuania conducted in Theoretical, legal, economic, management and political issues necessary to effective functioning of local government institutions in Lithuania are analysed. Mr. Gudelis Dangis, dgudel@gmail.com

15 NISPAcee Events How to Be a Better Policy Advisor in Public Administration Reforms Training of Young Professionals Written in co-operation with Ms. Lesya Il chenko-syuyva, NISPAcee trainer Opening from left to right, Vukasin Pavlovic, Vice Dean, FPS, Milan Podunavac, Dean, FPS, Elena Zakova, Project Manager, NISPAcee, Snezana Djordjevic, Serbian Project Manager The joint project of NISPAcee and Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade How to be a better policy advisor in public administration reforms Training of young professionals, supported by SlovakAid Bratislava-Belgrade Fund, and started in December More information about the first phase you can find in NISPAcee News 2/2006. By the beginning of summer the second phase of the project was started - Advanced Training of Serbian Trainers led by experienced Slovak trainers Ms. Luba Vavrova and Ms. Krasimira Lackova. This second training of trainers was implemented on June 26 28, 2006 in English June 2006 Advanced Training of Trainers, trainers from left to right: Dejan Pavlovic, Mysun En Natour, Natasa Grujic language. The main aim was to develop trainer s skills mainly in the following areas: 1) Training needs identification and training needs analysis within a training cycle; 2) Consulting, lobbying and mediation models; 3) Negotiation techniques and 4) design of the own training. Serbian trainers, which took part in the Advanced Training of trainers and also in the previous learning process had the possibility to test their new skills and knowledge within two training courses How to be a better policy advisor in Serbian language - on June 29 July 2, 2006 and on September 28 October 1, 2006 implemented in the premises of the Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade The training course, How to be a better policy advisor was focused on academics working for the Serbian government, NGO representatives involved into policy consulting, and advanced degree, post graduate and undergraduate students in social sciences willing to continue their carrier as policy consultants. During and after the trainings participants highlighted their high interest in the training and its importance for their further carrier development. Particularly, the participants expressed their high interest in the essential topics of the training such September 2006 Training for advisors Certificate awarding ceremony as Policy Cycle and Types of Policy Documents. The training is organized in a way that each of the theoretical components is supported by group exercises based on a cross-coming case study that not just animates the training but gives participants a chance to some extent test the theory for real situations. Relatively big part of training time is devoted to types of clients of advisory services. According to trainees formal and informal feedback it was very interesting for them to think of their potential clients from the prospective of their physiologi- NISPAcee news 4/

16 NISPAcee Events 16 cal type and thus be able to adjust communication and negotiation techniques. For those who are relatively new in the business, according to their views, it was useful to improve their abilities and get some tips to market/ promote themselves on the market of advisory services. Trainers, trainees and supervisors express their thanks to Ms. Elena Zakova, for her assistance, efficiency, and professionalism in organizing and conducting the courses, as well as overall project. The project How to be a better policy advisor in public June 2006 Training for advisors administration reforms Training of young professionals is coming to its end. NISPAcee appreciates very much the co-operation of all involved trainers, supervisors, experts, managers and trainees. Thanks to their active involvement it was possible within this project to implement two training courses for trainers, four training courses How to be a better policy advisor in total for 111 young advisors, to June 2006 Training for advisors translate the NISPAcee manuals for advisors and trainers How to be a better policy advisor and in addition also Reference Guide for Horizontal Integration into Serbian language. The list of Serbian trainers and trainees and also all translated publications are available on As a follow-up of this project, there is incorporation of the training course How to be a better policy advisor into the teaching curricula of the Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade. The training in Serbian language will be offered as a voluntary course for the students of the Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade since the study year 2006/2007. Thanks to the project the Faculty has now at its disposal a team of experienced trainers, relevant publications and printed manual How to be a better policy advisor in Serbian language for students. Invitation for Cooperation One of the NISPAcee long-term priorities is the development of the new project proposals and implementation of more activities in all partner countries. In case your institution has some ideas for developing a joint project with NISPAcee, you are welcome to provide us with a brief description of your proposal a project objective, a goal, outcomes, outputs, activities, means, costs, indicators, assumptions and identification of possible donor institutions. In this way NIS- PAcee will find out what are the needs in your countries and if possible we will try to find a way how to implement your proposals with the help of possible donors. Thematic focus of projects should be on the public administration reforms, education, training and research in this area. The form Request for cooperation is available on www. nispa.sk Contact person: Ms. Elena Žáková Project Manager Phone: , Fax: , zakova@nispa.sk

17 NISPAcee Announcements Translation of Selected Publications into CEE National Languages Goal of this project is to translate relevant publications from English to CEE national languages based on requests and needs of institutions from CEE countries. How to apply: Eligibility is limited to members of NISPAcee and other institutions with professional interest in public administration in Central and Eastern Europe. Applicants will have to prove the utility of the translated publications in their respective countries, the distribution policy, quality of translation, and an ability to cover the distribution costs. Priority will be given to institutions, which will distribute the publication at their own expense. Applicants should determine clear overall calculation of costs of translation (checking/editing) and publishing (priority will be given to reasonable price quotes for translation and publishing). The institution must meet reprint conditions of the OECD, and acknowledge credit to NISPAcee, SIGMA and LGP- SRI. Extra copies will be made available upon demand, by the organisation, for at least six months after publication, to satisfy late requests. Applications should contain the following information: 1. grant recipient (name of institution, address, contacts, responsible person) 2. description of goals and objectives (purpose of translation, who will use the translated materials) 3. distribution (number of copies, distribution policy - in details) 4. list of selected publications for translation (to rank them according to their importance) 5. request for a grant including detailed budget of translation and printed costs (maximum price per page for translation could be 10 USD including editing) Please send letters of inquiry and applications to the NISPAcee Secretariat. Mr. Juraj Sklenar, sklenar@nispa.sk The deadline: November 30, NISPAcee Yearbook in Public Administration and Public Policy Call for Papers NISPAcee is working on launching its academic peer-reviewed publication series which will be published yearly and distributed starting from the spring of We invite colleagues to submit their research papers in English for review. Papers should be written on relevant public administration and public policy issues based on empirical investigation carried out in central and eastern European countries. Manuscripts should be sent in electronic form at whatever time. Editorial correspondence, including manuscripts for submission, should be addressed to: Mr. Juraj Sklenar, Managing Editor, NISPAcee Secretariat, Hanulova 5/B, P.O.Box 163, Bratislava 42, Slovak Republic, phone/fax: , juraj@nispa.sk, web: NISPAcee news 4/

18 NISPAcee Announcements Invitation for The 15 th NISPAcee Annual Conference Leadership and Management in the Public Sector: Values, Standards and Competencies in Central and Eastern Europe May 17 19, 2007, Kyiv, Ukraine Organized in cooperation with The National Academy of Public Administration, Office of the President of Ukraine 18 The annual conferences of NISPAcee always focus upon a significant theme which facilitates the better understanding of important issues regarding administrative development and policymaking capacity in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Conference includes experts, scholars and practitioners who work in the field of public administration in Central and Eastern Europe (including all countries covered by the NIS- PAcee membership, the Russian Federation, Caucasus and Central Asia), as well as from many other regions and countries of the world. The Conference program will include the opening and closing plenary sessions, general session, working sessions on the main conference theme, specialized panels and forums and meetings of NISPAcee Working Groups which will run in parallel. Main Conference Theme The main conference theme of the 15th Annual Conference will address a very crucial subject for not only Central and Eastern Europe, but all regions of the world: leadership and management in the public sector. While the critical and decisive role of leadership and management in the public sector is almost a cliché, the reality is that there is relatively little knowledge available about the transformation of the earlier dominant and politically determined CEE public leadership into a new, professional, democratic, managing leadership in the post-communist era. Likewise, there is only limited knowledge of how the newly emerged politico-administrative dichotomy in the region has influenced the formation of its managing leadership and how this dichotomy, in turn, has been influenced by the region s leadership and managers. Are public sector leaders and managers in the CEE and CIS countries champions of democratic political and administrative development or just followers of the processes? Within the new political, societal and economic conditions that characterize the region, has a new model of public leadership and management emerged, or is the old one struggling with the new challenges? The conference will also provide an opportunity to examine (including both the ideal and the reality) ethical, professional, legal, procedural, quality, performance standards in public sector leadership and management. Are current standards formalized? If not, who should set such standards and how? Are the standards applied in the public sector the results of a natural developmental process of the domestic public sector, or they are imposed by globalization or forced upon the region s countries by a foreign model of the modernization? Are there double standards? Are current standards orienting the development process and shaping the actions of leaders, or are existing standards only desires? Another significant area of concern that the conference will address are the required competencies for public sector leaders and manager such as the understanding of self and others; effective communication; life long learning; developing those with whom leaders work; building teams; using participatory decision making procedures; managing performance, time, change, and knowledge; thinking strategically and involving various constituencies. Is a new, modern management culture emerging in the public sector of the post-communist world? How are necessary leadership and managerial competencies related to it? What do the practitioners and the academics say about the gap between the required and the existing competencies? How can NISPAcee support the development of the leadership and managerial competencies which the region s countries require?

19 NISPAcee Announcements General Session In order to include a wide array of potential contributors and to make the NISPAcee Annual Conference even more attractive to Public Administration and Policy scholars, experts, and practitioners and to further enhance its position as one of the most important meetings of the field internationally, the 15 th NISPAcee Annual Conference will include General Sessions, in which papers that cover topics which go beyond the conference or working group themes can be presented. The only criteria for acceptance are (a) scholarly quality, (b) interest of topic and (c) from or about the region, i.e. papers should come from Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, or be about that region. Such sessions are intended to give scholars the possibility to present their most interesting and recent research which they would want to share and discuss with an international and knowledgeable audience and to give them the option to do this in the NISPAcee framework. As with all sessions, the best papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings. Working Groups NISPAcee Working Group is a group of researchers and/or professionals associated with NISPAcee who are investigating a particular public administration or public policy topic. Currently, there are seven NISPAcee Working Groups which intend to schedule their meetings during the 15 th NISPAcee Annual Conference in Kyiv. I. Working Group on Politico- Administrative Relations II. Working Group on Public Sector Quality III. Working Group on Integrity in Public Governance IV. Working Group on Democratic Governance of Multiethnic Communities V. Working Group on Public Sector Finance and Accounting VI. Working Group on e-government VII. Working Group on Capacity Building of a Civil Servants Training System according to EU Requirements Panel Sessions and Forums Several panel sessions and forums are planed to be included in the conference programme. The overall objective is the presentation of different projects and relevant activities as well as to enable and facilitate the exchange of views, experiences and good practices among participants, institutions and countries. Proposals with the identified topic and presentations are welcome and will be considered by the Conference Committee. Panel on Getting Public Administration Reform to Work Panel on Human Resources Management (HRM) in a Modern Public Service Deadline for applications to present papers: October 20, 2006 Work plan and papers The authors whose drafts will have been accepted will be informed by the end of November The final version of the completed paper should be prepared according to NISPAcee MANU- SCRIPT GUIDELINES and submitted via the NISPAcee website by April 10, 2007at the latest. Registration for the Conference and Hotel reservations On-line registration and information about hotel reservations will be available from December All participants, including authors of the accepted papers for the conference, are kindly asked to REGISTER for the event. Deadline for registration: March 31, 2007 Support All applicants are requested to find their own resources, either from their schools or institutions or by applying for individual grants through domestic or international sponsor organizations which provide grants for conference participation. Please contact the NISPAcee Secretariat immediately if you need any assistance in this matter (e.g. invitation letter). NISPAcee is also seeking funding to support Working Groups activities, including travel and lodging for a limited number of participants during the meetings. However, this funding is not guaranteed and prospective participants are advised to look elsewhere for funds to cover their expenses. In case NISPAcee is successful, the selected applicants will be notified about the availability of the funds. Information on all conference logistics is available on the Internet: NISPAcee homepage http: // Contact person: Inquiries are to be addressed to: Viera Wallnerova, NISPAcee Project Manager, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Tel: , Tel/Fax: Wallnerova@nispa.sk NISPAcee news 4/

20 NISPAcee MEMBERSHIP Presently, the NISPAcee enlists 129 Institutional members (from 23 countries), 37 Associate members (from 20 countries), and 220 Observers (from 35 countries). New Institutional members of the NISPAcee Russian Academy of Public Administration, Moscow, Russia New Associate members of the NISPAcee Oxford Business Knowledge Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom NISPAcee newsletter is sponsored by: The Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative Open Society Institute, Budapest, Hungary. NISPAcee NEWS is published with the support of the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (Affiliated with the Open Society Institute), Nador ut. 11, 1525 Budapest 114, Hungary. NISPAcee News is published quarterly. We invite individuals as well as organisations to contribute to the second issue of volume XII. NISPAcee reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity, style, grammar and space. The deadline for the next issue is November 30, NISPAcee Secretariat Hanulova 5/B P.O.Box Bratislava 42 Slovak Republic tel/fax: ,