Monday, September 10, 2007

A Room with a View


With the summer season in its final chapter I look forward to resuming weekly blogging activities. There is no shortage of reform activities, challenges and reflections as I settle into my room in the city of Kabul.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is home for approximately 26 million people. It is a post-conflict and landlocked country located between Asia and the Middle East and one of the poorest in the world. Its links to terrorism, illegal drugs and regional militias brings it at the centre of media attention as well as foreign policies produced by developed countries.

Public administrative reform, although at the apex of my work is seldom a priority emanating from the electorate -whether in Afghanistan or Canada. A need for administrative reform is more likely prompted by the political masters who see it as a solution to performance gaps between what are and what should be the results achieved by government. The reform work calling for progress and improvement in Afghanistan is fuelled by a cornucopia of agreements between the donor community and the government. It is an international partnership endeavour bringing a diversity of solutions from a host of cultures and disciplines from around the world. It is indeed a fascinating process to witness and participate.

The upcoming weeks will feature entries about the process of reform in public administration and its close sister: civil service management as seen from my small room with a view.

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