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The Africa Working Group (“AWG”) is a sub-committee of the International Standing Panel at the National Academy of Public Administration (“the Academy”). Established in 2001, its mission is to engage the Academy in actively pursuing initiatives and implementing programs that directly enhance good governance and effective public administration in Africa.
The goals of the Africa Working Group are divided into two main areas. They are as follows:
A. Consulting:
- Successfully seek and manage public administration engagements in Africa.
- Advise African partners on generating resources from government, foundation, and business sources to support public administration initiatives.
- Specifically advise on implementation of Memoranda of Understanding with the Ghana Public Services Commission, the Botswana Center for Specialization in Public Administration and Management (“SADC”), and the South Africa Free State Provincial Government.
B. Collaboration:
- Project the Academy as a center of learning, knowledge, and practical advice on public administration and governance in Africa through periodic forums, conferences, and symposia.
- Provide a vehicle for outreach and coalition-building with other organizations and agencies concerned with enhancing public administration and governance in Africa.
- Provide orientations and briefings on public administration in the U.S. for official and unofficial visitors from Africa.
- Expand capacity of the Africa Working Group by broadening membership of both the Academy Fellows and Associate members– especially from universities (including Historically Black Colleges and Universities), research institutions, and public interest groups.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Africa Working Group membership comprises of Fellows of the Academy, as well as, representatives of international development and Africa-focused organizations in the United States. Those interested in joining the Africa Working Group should email or call Julia Mensah, Research Associate at jmensah@napawash.org or 202-204-3659.
AWG LEADERSHIP |
| Chair |
Dr. Sylvester Murray |
| Vice Chairs: |
Dr. Blue Wooldridge |
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Mr. John E. Saunders III, CAE |
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Ambassador Edward Perkins |
ACTIVITIES:
The Role of Regional Governance Organizations in Africa: What are they and what are their Intended Impacts?
Friday, December 2nd, 2005
The Africa Working Group held a meeting on December 2 nd, 2005. The theme of the meeting was the role of regional organizations in Africa. The featured presenter was Bob Leavitt, Senior Conflict Advisor, Africa Bureau, USAID.
Fellows Travel to South Africa: Sign Memorandum of Understanding and Participate in Leadership Forum
Friday, August 11-13th, 2005
Fellows Phil Rutledge, Charles Washington and Norm Johnson traveled to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to participate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy and the Free State Province in South Africa. The purpose of this MOU is to establish a forum for the parties to work together on issues of public administration in the Free State. In addition, these Fellows participated in and lectured at the First Annual Senior Management Service Seminar titled “Building a Cadre of Senior Leadership to Meet the Goals of the Free State’s Growth and Development Strategy.” Phil Rutledge closed the seminar by giving an insightful keynote lecture titled “The Free State Senior Management Service: Creating Intellectual Social and Technical Capital.”
Click here to see a copy of the presentation.
“Governance Challenges in Rwanda: 11 Years after the Genocide”
Friday, June 3rd, 2005
Co-sponsored by the Education Division, Africa Bureau, USAID and the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.
Since the outbreak of violence in 1994, often labeled as the "Rwanda Genocide", Rwanda has made significant strides towards re-building its economy and implementing the structures necessary for reconciliation. On June 3 rd 2005, the Africa Working Group hosted a discussion on Rwanda’s progress in the past decade and addressed the challenges its government still faces in maintaining good governance. Leonard Robinson, President of the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, presided.
Presenters: Dr. Cindy Courville, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council; Ambassador Zac Nsenga (Rwanda);Suellen Keiner, Vice President for Programs, National Academy of Public Administration
Click here for pictures from the session.
“Private Sector Perspectives of Governance Issues in Africa”
Friday, May 6 th, 2005
Carol Pineau, writing in the Washington Post, Sunday, April 17, 2005, called attention to “The Africa You Never See”, drawing on a film she produced and directed for the World Bank on “Africa: Open for Business”. The article noted that “Yes, Africa is a land of wars, poverty, and corruption” that cry out for attention. “But Africa is also a land of stock markets, high rises, Internet cafes, and a growing middle class” ready to join the global economy.
On May 6 th, several experts on private and public sector interests participated in a Round Table discussion, hosted by the Africa Working Group, on business development in Africa and the implications for good governance and socio-economic growth.
Panel members included Academy Fellow, Robert Mallett, Vice President, Pfizer; Ambassador Molelekeng E. Rapolaki ( Lesotho); Ambassador Lapologang C. Lekoa ( Botswana); Honorable Isaac Aggrey, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Ghana embassy; Anthony Carroll, Managing Partner, Manchester Trade Services; Brad Huther, President, International Intellectual Property Institute; and Robert Berg, Senior Advisor, Economic Commission for Africa.
Click here for more information on “Africa Open for Business”
The Colloquium and Consultation on Information Technology and Governance in Accra, Ghana
In June 2004, the Academy joined with several other organizations to participate in a Colloquium and Consultation on Information Technology and Governance with the Ghana Public Services Commission (GPSC) in Accra, Ghana. The Colloquium and Consultation-the first event based on a broad agreement between the Academy and GPSC-featured presentations by Fellows and other experts.
Click here for the conference proceedings.
Click here for photos from the conference.
AIDS Conference
The Academy, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, held a November 2003 working conference that brought together Sub-Saharan African public officials, experts, and organizational representatives from the international community to develop a strategy to deal with the devastating effects the AIDS epidemic has had on African teachers, administrators and civil servants in Ministries of Education.
Click here for more information on the conference.
Photos from the conference can be found by clicking here.
Click here to read the strategy document that resulted from the conference.
Contact Julia Mensah for more information on the Africa Working Group and its activities.
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