See also: IIAS Signs MOU with WeGo

IIAS President Pan Suk Kim and WeGO President Won Soon Park signed an MOU in Seoul on March 19, 2012.

6^th Water Forum

• Every three years since 1997, the World Water Forum mobilises creativity, innovation, competence and know-how in favour of water. It gathers all stakeholders around today’s local, regional and global issues that cannot be undertaken without all stakeholders into a common framework of goals and concrete targets to reach.The goal of the 6th World Water Forum is to tackle the challenges our world is facing and to bring water high on all political agendas. There will be no sustainable development while the water issues remain unsolved. Everywhere on the planet, for all and everyone, the Right to Water (recognized by 189 states at the UN one year ago) must be guaranteed and implemented.

UNHabitat

• Urban World: Waiting for a solution Volume 4 issue 4 December 2011 - Urban World (Series title) - How the Gates Foundation is leading the campaign for better sanitation, Singapore’s model strategy for water conservation, New report reveals UN sanitation target will not be reached, and One musician’s quest to bring clean water to the slums.
• Community Managed Sewerage Scheme in Gwalior – Individual Health and hygiene is largely dependent on adequate availability of drinking water and proper sanitation. There is, therefore, a direct relationship between water, sanitation and health. Consumption of unsafe drinking water, improper disposal of human excreta, improper environmental sanitation and lack of personal and food hygiene have been major causes of many diseases in developing countries. India is no exception to this. Prevailing high infant mortality rate is also largely attributed to poor sanitation.

United Nations Millenium Development Goal

• • “(The) Millennium Development Goals Report 2011” United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). July 2011 - The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Report, an annual assessment of regional progress towards the Goals, reflects the most comprehensive, up-to-date data compiled by over 25 UN and international agencies. The Report shows that although significant strides have been made, reaching all the MDGs by 2015 remains challenging because progress has failed to reach the most vulnerable. An estimated 1.1 billion people in urban areas and 723 million people in rural areas gained access to an improved drinking water source over the period 1990-2008 but, at the same time, advances in sanitation often bypass the poor and those living in rural areas. More than 2.6 billion people still lack access to toilets or other forms of improved sanitation; and where progress has occurred, it has largely skipped the poor. In Southern Asia, for instance, sanitation coverage for the poorest 40 per cent of households has hardly increased between 1995 and 2008.

World Health Organisation

• 4th edition of the World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality - This 4th edition of the World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality builds on over 50 years of guidance by WHO on drinking-water quality, which has formed an authoritative basis for the setting of national regulations and standards for water safety in support of public health. The Guidelines are addressed primarily to water and health regulators, policymakers and their advisors, to assist in the development of national standards. This edition of the Guidelines further develops concepts, approaches and information introduced in previous editions. It considers: drinking-water safety, including minimum procedures and specific guideline values and how these are intended to be used; approaches used in deriving the Guidelines, including guideline values; microbial hazards, which continue to be the primary concern in both developing and developed countries; climate change, which results in changing water temperature and rainfall patterns, severe and prolonged drought or increased flooding, and its implications for water quality and water scarcity, recognizing the importance of managing these impacts as part of water management strategies; chemical contaminants in drinking-water, including information on chemicals not considered previously, such as pesticides used for vector control in drinking water; revisions of existing chemical fact sheets, taking account of new scientific information; those key chemicals responsible for large-scale health effects through drinking water exposure, including arsenic, fluoride, lead, nitrate, selenium and uranium, providing guidance on identifying local priorities and on management; the important roles of many different stakeholders in ensuring drinking-water safety; guidance in situations other than traditional community supplies or managed utilities, such as rainwater harvesting and other non-piped supplies or dual piped systems.
• Pharmaceuticals in drinking-water – This technical report aims to provide practical guidance and recommendations in managing concerns over pharmaceuticals in drinking-water, taking into consideration the available scientific knowledge and evidence. It emphasizes the importance to prioritize this emerging issue in the overall context of water safety management, which includes microbial and other chemical risks that may threaten the safety of drinking-water. This report focuses primarily on reviewing the risks to human health associated with exposure to trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in drinking-water. It does not discuss the potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems or the broader physical environment.

Australia

GovMonitor

• Australia Speeds Up Process Of Determining Asylum Seekers Claims - A new, faster initial assessment for asylum seekers effective today will speed up the process of determining asylum seekers’ claims. Changes to the refugee status determination process for irregular maritime arrivals will apply from March 1, consistent with the government’s announcement following the High Court’s decision handed down on November 11 last year.

Austria

ACCORD: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

• ACCORD provides independently, neutrally and objectively information on countries of origin of asylum seekers in order to contribute to fair and efficient asylum procedures.

Belgium

Federal Government Information Portal

• The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) has published its annual report for 2010. – This report sheds light on the work of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) and makes people understand aspects that are not limited to on asylum statistics and decisions made as we can also get an idea of how the CGRS accomplishes its mission of granting protection to refugees.

Migration Office

• The Migration Office is part of the Federal Public Service “Interior”. It is responsible for managing the migrant population in Belgium, namely the access of foreigners to the territory, their stay, their establishments, as well as repatriation procedures. On fieldwork, the migration Office is working closely with other agencies such as embassies and consulates, municipal authorities, federal police, social inspection, or the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Activity report for 2009 : https://dofi.ibz.be/fr/jaarverslag/2009fr.pdf (in French)

Denmark

Academy for Migration Studies in Denmark

Its objectives are to push research on migratory issues forward in order to better understand and cope with social, cultural and political problems of integration, exclusion and co-citizenship, and to provide an informed knowledge base for political decisions, public debates and popular perceptions on migrants and immigration.

South Africa

Bua News

• Govt tightens immigration laws – The Department of Home Affairs is tightening immigration regulations in the fight against corruption and people who cheat their way into staying in the country.

Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said on Tuesday that while a majority of people who came into the country were law abiding, there was “a significant minority” who abused immigration laws and got away with it. But now government is closing those loopholes in the law.

Ministry of Labour and Immigration (Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración)

• The organization of policies on asylum and migration: Report – This report was produced by the European Migration Network, written by the Spanish EMN National Contact Point. This National Report describes the general structure of the political and institutional system as well as the distribution and organization of competencies concerning migration and asylum in Spain. Link to the Ministry of Labour and Immigration : http://www.mtin.es/en/index.htm (English)

Switzerland

Federal Administration

• Switzerland- Nigeria Migration Partnership : the first state of affairs (last modified on 23/06/2011) — On June 21, 2011, the commission of Switzerland – Nigeria migration partnership met for the first time in Abuja. Through this partnership both countries wish to establish a balanced and comprehensive cooperation in the field of migration. Exchanges between the two sides proved to be positive.
• Conclusion of a readmission agreement with Denmark – The Danish Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration Søren Pind and the Swiss ambassador Viktor Christen today signed in Copenhagen an agreement on readmission. This agreement regulates the readmission of nationals of States Parties and third country nationals and stateless persons.
• FOM – publication of the report on migration, 2010 – The migration partnership agreement with Nigeria and special flights are the main themes of the 2010 report on migration published by the Federal Office for Migration (FOM). This report provides figures to support an overview of the activities of the FOM.

United Kingdom

Local Government Improvement and Development

• Healthcare: creating a level playing field for migrants - Nowhere in the UK is untouched by migration. Whether they are asylum seekers fleeing persecution from oppressive regimes or people arriving to work or study, migrants can be found in every village, town and city. But research suggests they are struggling to access what should be a basic right – healthcare. What is the problem and what can the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector do to help?

UK/ MIPEX- Migrant Integration Policy Index

• Migrant Integration Policy Index – MIPEX is an interactive tool and reference guide to assess, compare and improve integration policy produced by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group. MIPEX measures policies to integrate migrants in 27 EU Member States and four non-EU countries. It uses over 140 policy indicators to create a rich, multi-dimensional picture of migrants’ opportunities to participate in European societies.

European Institute of Public Administration

Publication (2010): The European Asylum System and Minimum Standards: ‘Suggestions for practice and policy’ – Even though the phenomenon of refugees has changed over the course of recent decades, asylum remains an important issue for states all over the world. The paper is divided into four sections. The first section provides some background information on the international legislation; the second looks into the need for European refugee protection and focuses on the concept of the Common European Asylum Systeme; the third section examines examples of Dutch policies. In this framework, ‘good’ and ‘less good’ practices as well as problems with the application of the EU minimum standards are highlighted; the last section of the paper provides some policy recommendations and gives a summary of practices which may apply in asylum cases.

European Union

EU-European Parliament

• Bulgaria and Romania will soon join Shengen area – The European Parliament considered the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area is now possible as the conditions are fulfilled. However, these two countries will have to take additional measures and work out a common approach with Greece and Turkey to face potential increase of migratory pressure in this area. European Parliament ‘President is delighted of this Parliamentary decision taken and call on the Council to follow the recommendations of the vote expressed.

• EUROLAT plenary closes with greater unity on Mercosur and migration - General : EuroLat Co-President José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP, ES) closed the fifth Plenary Assembly in Montevideo (Uruguay) on Thursday with a very positive message on the outcome of the meetings between MEPs and their Latin American counterparts, “which will surely help to push forward negotiations on sensitive agreements like the one with Mercosur”.

EU- European Commission

• Developing a common approach to migration – The EU is seeking to create a common asylum system, strengthen border controls, increase oversight of its border-free travel area and use immigration policy to help fill gaps in the labour market.

European legislation

• Framework programme on solidarity and management of migration flows for the period 2007-2013 – This program is designed to improve management of migratory flows at European Union level and to strengthen solidarity between member States. It has four dimensions: integrated management of external borders, with the setting up of an External borders Fund, asylum policy, with the prolongation of the European Refugee Fund; the social, civil and cultural integration of non-member country national, with the setting up of a European integration Fund; and the fight against illegal immigration and the return of Non-EU member Country nationals residing illegally in the EU, with the setting up of a European Return Fund.

European Migration Network

• English: European Migration Network is a network coordinated by the European Commission (DG Home) in cooperation with national contact points of each member States. The aim of the EMN is to meet the information needs of Union institution and of Member States authorities by providing updated information on migration and asylum, with a view to supporting policymaking in the European Union in these areas.

ACP Observatory on migration –

• The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Observatory on Migration is an initiative of the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States, empowered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Union. Its goal is to establish a network of research institutions and governmental entities dealing with migration in the six regions of the ACP Group of States. For now the ACP Observatory is based in Brussels but will be moved to an ACP country in the coming year. Observatory Director Laurent de Boeck explains that “the role of the observatory is to compile the data necessary to limit the negative impact of South-South migration while using to advantage its potential contribution to development on the human, economic, social and cultural level». The Observatory relies on the work of research institutions and private researchers from different backgrounds (universities, research centers, public institutions). Every two months, The ACP observatory publishes its Newsletter to keep informed people about the Observatory’s activities and the latest news on South-South migration issue. The first edition of the Newsletter was launched in May 2011. Here the link: http://www.acpmigration-obs.org/sites/default/files/Newsletter%201%20-%20May%202011.pdf

EU-Bénin, Cameroon, Mali, Sénégal

• Labour Migration Management Partnership – Since the first January 2009, there is a partnership for the labour migration management. The aim is to help Benin, Cameroun, Mali and Senegal to promote and manage effectively labour migration between recipient countries and UE members as a global approach of the migration cycle. This project aims more specifically at employment public services and their ministers. This project is part of the Thematic Programme “2007-2013 Migration and Asylum” launched by the EU to help non-members countries to better manage migration flows in all dimensions.

The Global Forum on Migration and Development

• The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a recent initiative of the United Nations Member States to address the migration and development interconnections in practical and action-oriented ways. It is an informal, non-binding, voluntary and government-led process that marks the culmination of more than a decade of international dialogue on the growing importance of the linkages between migration and development.

International Organisation for Migrations

Migration4Development: EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative

http://www.migration4development.org/

Use this site to meet others working in Migration and Development, exchange ideas and form partnerships. Members of the forum include civil society organizations, diaspora groups, migrants associations, local authorities and UN agencies.

From Migration to Development: Lessons Drawn from the Experience of Local Authorities

• One of the preliminary lessons learned arising from EC-UN JMDI-funded projects and from exchanges on the online community of practice, M4D-Net (www.migration4development.org), is that, where local authorities are project partners, they are playing a key role in contributing to the initiatives’ success, because of the close relations they have with migrant communities in the North and because their involvement in the South ensures that projects are aligned with local development needs. As this report points out, local authorities’ efforts have been most effective where decentralisation has strengthened the role they can play, as in the case of the municipality of Cartaya, in Spain, which has developed a circular migration programme with Morocco to manage seasonal labour migration in the agriculture sector, or in Senegal, where regional development agencies draft development strategies through a participatory approach involving local communities and, crucially, members of the diaspora abroad.

• Report in English: http://www.migration4development.org/sites/m4d.emakina-eu.net/files/JMDI_Migration_to_Development_Condensed_LA_report.pdf

Belgium

Federal Staff Portal

Canada

Institute of Public Administration of Canada(IPAC)

Qualité Publique (France)

Germany

Verwaltung innovativ (Innovative Management)

Newsletter management innovation – November 2010 Issue (11/2010)

Dear subscribers, The following information is currently available for you:

• Questions? Questions! New ID card in the online discussion – until  16 November 2010
• Answer: Video Message from the Minister of the Interior about body scanners
• In preparation: 5 ITSummit on 7 December 2010 in Dresden
• Welcome! New model regions in the D115 network – including Dresden
• Heading: Berlin bus advertises for public service number 115
• Unlocked: Blog of the National Process Library

Italy

PloneGov Italia

The materials of the Seminar for the exchange of solutions PloneGov (Modena, 3 November 2010):

The materials are available and photos of the seminar which was held November 3 in Modena.

South Africa

Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI)

2010 CPSI Public Sector Innovation Awards Announced – The Minister for Public Service and Administration, Hon. MR Baloyi recognised 12 innovative public sector initiatives at a prestigious event on 5 November 2010.

Via UNPAN

South African Space Agency to Launch Soon – The Southern African Large Telescope is one of South Africa’s notable space projects. South Africa will soon have its own space agency to promote and coordinate space science and technology programmes in the country. The long-awaited South African National Space Agency (Sansa) will be launched in Midrand, Johannesburg, on 9 December 2010.

From ‘IT Korea’ to ‘Smart Korea’ – The following was contributed by Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Kyung-hwan celebrating the G20 ICT Innovation Forum. Ed. (05/11/2010)

Switzerland

Swiss Society of Public Administration

Innovation and management of extreme situations – In a turbulent age, the question of national crisis management arises. “What role can national innovation management play?” was also the subject of the SSPA meeting on 18 November 2010. A report gives a first impression.

Administration tomorrow – The administration is currently living its biggest revolution since its inception. What can we do with the administration tomorrow? The article provides an overview of likely developments.

United Kingdom

Local Government Improvement and Development

Birmingham turns up the pilot light – Birmingham Energy Savers was developed as a partnership project led by Birmingham City Council. In the autumn of 2010, it piloted a scheme to fit photovoltaic (PV) panels on 60 buildings. This case study looks at what the council learned from that pilot.

United States

CNet

Google scores big federal government contract – Google has won a major contract to provide Google Apps for an entire federal government agency. Teaming up with Unisys and two other companies, Google will deploy Google Apps for Government to all 17,000 employees and contractors at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

Business of Government

Getting It Done! – Taking advantage of centralized IT services sometimes requires a change in how departments or agencies regard their business processes.

Commonwealth Association for Public Administration & Management

CAPAM Caribbean Regional Conference: Public Service Excellence: Embracing Innovation and Change. Trinidad, 14-16 February, 2011 – CAPAM is currently accepting paper proposals for the Embracing Innovation and Change Conference, Feb. 14 – 16, 2011 to be held in Trinidad. The conference is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Public Administration, Government of Trinidad & Tobago.

The latest issue of Commonwealth Innovations publication is out. This edition features articles on innovation and the public service including the 2010 CAPAM International Innovations Awards Finalists. Additional articles on performance and innovation (Australia), leadership and innovation (United Kingdom) and citizen participation in local government (Canada) are included. To submit articles and notices for publication, or for copyright and further information about the publication, please contact awong@capam.org. Editor: Ada Wong, Manager, Membership& Communications.

2010 CAPAM International Innovations Awards Winners – CAPAM would like congratulate the following winners in each awards category as well as the overall Gold medal winner.

European Union

ICT 2010: Digitally Driven, Europe’s most visible forum for ICT research and innovation – This biennial event has become a unique gathering point for researchers, business people, investors, and high level policy makers in the field of digital innovation. It was held at Brussels Expo, 27-29 September 2010 and documents, videos, etc. are available on the event’s website. NEXT ICT: 2012.

European Parliament

MEP organises classes to maximise social media potential – Facebook, Twitter – This autumn one MEP is leading the way and organising classes on how fellow MEPs can use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to reach out to voters. French Member Damien Abad (EPP) is behind the course and here we speak to him as well as Portuguese Socialist MEP Edite Estrela, Italian Liberal Sonia Alfano and Spanish Green Raül Romeva i Rueda.

The Lisbon Council

Open Source Observatory and Repository

PT: Parliamentarians propose to make open standards mandatory — published on Dec 03, 2010  Two left-wing political parties in the Portuguese parliament want to make the use of open standards mandatory for public administrations. Next week Friday, the parliament will discuss two motions, filed by the Left Bloc, with sixteen of the 230 seats in the parliament, and the Portuguese Communist Party, which has thirteen seats.

IT: Considering the use of open source is mandatory in South Tyrol — published on Dec 02, 2010 Considering whether it is possible to use free and open source software is mandatory for public administrations in the Italian Province of Bolzano-Bozen – South Tyrol that are renewing their existing IT or purchasing new IT solution, according to Kurt Pöhl, head of the Department of Information Technology at the province.

MT: ‘Culture of open standards disseminated within Government‘ — published on Dec 02, 2010 The culture of open standards is to be disseminated within government and the local ICT industry, Malta’s governmental Information Technology Agency (MITA) explained last week. The institute’s open source vision was called a ‘most important policy document’ by senior government adviser, the month before.

More news

United Nations Public Administration Network

E-government to Create Opportunities for All

The current global financial and economic crisis is putting tremendous pressure on governments to do more with less. Although financial markets stabilized in 2009 due to massive and internationally coordinated government intervention, the real economy is still in a state of shock with high rates of unemployment and tremendous squeeze on government revenues in many countries. E-government – once a bold experiment and now an important tool for public sector transformation – has progressed to the point where it is now a force for effective governance and citizen participation, both at national and local levels.