Women and political leadership: Are men ready for the future?
Purna Sen
Politicians and governments tell us that women hold the key to development and to the good health of their children. They rightly tell us that gender equality is a desirable goal and that women are agents of change. Despite this, figures illustrate the stubborn resilience of gender inequality, not least of all in the realm of the political leadership. We have moved closer to gender equality, so should we be surprised that it does not exist in politics? More…
Unlocking the budget’s development impact: The role of citizen-led accountability initiatives
Caroline Poirrier
Recognising that transparency, accountability and participation around budgets and service delivery enhance their efficiency and effectiveness, national governments and the broader development community have deepened efforts to make government more open. Whilst these initiatives are laudible, they typically lack true ownership and accountability. More…
Leading public service innovation in the Commonwealth
John Wilkins
Public managers must innovate with integrity and partner widely to respond to government needs in times of austerity. They must grasp the pratical issues at stake, formulate and apply workable strategies, evaluate evidence and ideas, and influence policy-makers. Leadership of innovation raises questions about who leads and their role. More…
The UN Public Service Awards: Commonwealth winners from 2012
The United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) recognises excellence in public service and rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that have led to more effective and responsive public administrations worldwide. The UNPSA are awarded annually, which was designated by the General Assembly as the United Nations Public Service Day to ‘celebrate the value and virtue of service to the community’. More…
Advocating for public service innovation: The CAPAM International Innovations Award
David Waung
Never before has the need ‘to do it better’ been so central to the success of governments in supporting national development and safeguarding citizen welfare. The increasing interconnectedness between global issues and the rapid pace of change has altered the course of public service solutions. More…