8 Nov, 2004
Press Release

Partnership among Public Administration and Civil Society stressed for Public Administration Reform

In a seminar in the CIRDAP auditorium in the city on 8 November, 2004; the speakers emphasized on the need to explore ways to develop strategic partnerships among the public administration and civil society especially, the NGOs in enhancing the public administration reform agenda in Bangladesh. Jointly organized by Manusher Jonno, a human rights and good governance initiative, and Power and Participation Research Centre, a research organization; Dr. M. Mahbubur Rahman, additional secretary, currently chairman, Parjatan Corporation presented the key note paper tilted, “Public Administration Reforms in Bangladesh: Exploring Implementable Action Agenda”.

The purpose of the seminar was to identify and present recommendations on the public administration reforms based on the public administration reform commissions formed by various governments since the independence and to identify areas where the civil society, especially the NGOs can play a complementary role in enhancing the reform agenda.

Speaking as chief guest in the seminar, Dr. Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, principal secretary to the prime minister said, “We have had enough recommendations on the reform agenda by various commissions. Unfortunately, the reform process and speed is not up to the expectations for which it would be unfair to blame any specific government, whether it may be the present or the past ones.” Stressing on the need to identify the reasons for the failure of the reform, he said, “We have to identify why the reform process is not up to the expectations. We have to identify whether it is because of the economics, or politics or because of our socio-cultural norms, practices and ideologies that are hampering the desired outcome.” Apart from this, he stressed for strong advocacy from different quarters on the issue. He said, “Consistent advocacy is needed from within the young generation of bureaucrats, from the civil society, from the opposition political parties and from the regional and international bodies”.

Mr. Mujibul Huq, retired cabinet secretary, and other government and civil society members took part in the discussion on the paper.

Dr. Zerina Rahman Khan, a steering committee member of Manusher Jonno, made the welcome address, while Dr. Hussain Zillur Rahman, chairman of PPRC conducted the whole session.

(Shaheen Anam)

Team Leader

Manusher Jonno