New Book Examines Role of Public Administration in Building a Harmonious Society
THE LAST two decades have seen alongside the advancement of globalization a growth in knowledge or learning networks. These networks are agents for innovation that support faster development of new ideas, products, and services, and help optimize research and development. They also maximize the potential of an organization or enterprise as well as its responsiveness and adaptability. Recognizing these trends, ADB supported the creation of a regional network focusing on cross-earning and knowledge sharing. The result was the Network of Asia-Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG) launched in December 2004 with more than 100 institutions participating. The network aims to become a regional hub that will encourage sharing of expertise and good practice, assist members in the continuing expansion of frontiers of public administration through research and knowledge sharing, and foster collaboration among members. The long-term goal is to enhance the capacity of public administration schools and institutes as well as research organizations and think tanks in the region to enable them to transform their respective governments as effective agents of good governance. A new volume brings together a selection of papers presented at the 2005 annual conference of NAPSIPAG held in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China, in December 2005. The meeting’s theme was the role of public administration in building a harmonious society. The papers explores such subthemes as citizen participation and local autonomy, public administration strategies, innovations in governance and public service, conflict resolution and peace building, and health care for the poor. “While the approaches are different, a distinguishing feature is the depth of local knowledge they exhibit and the manner in which innovation from within the Asia-Pacific region is highlighted,” writes the book's editor, Raza Ahmad, an ADB Governance and Capacity Development Specialist, in the book's Introduction. “Moreover, the selection presents findings that policymakers will find useful when tackling the enigma of promoting good governance and achieving development effectiveness.” View the book at http://adb.org/Documents/Books/Role-Public-Admin-Building-Harmonious-Society/default.asp About ADB | 
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