How to reform a government course
The University of Westminster announces the launch of the world's first international 'how to reform a government' course for future world leaders. The one-year course, available starting September 2005 – MA Economic and Governmental Reform - is a unique Masters programme designed by the Global Economic Policy Institute. Its aim is to prepare senior civil servants and politicians for leadership roles in government. The course includes a forensic international examination of why reforms go well or go badly, and examines closely the conflicts that often arise between different types of economic & governmental reform.
Global Economic Policy Institute
University of Westminster
309 Regent Street
London W1B 2UW, UK
Tel. + 44 20 7911 5000
Direct tel. + 44 20 8741 1166
Mobile + 44 7974 188087
Press release
For Immediate Release
LONDON, ENGLAND, March 17th 2005. The University of Westminster announces the launch of the world’s first international ‘how to reform a government’ course for future world leaders.
The one-year course, available starting September 2005 – MA Economic and Governmental Reform - is a unique Masters programme designed by the Global Economic Policy Institute. Its aim is to prepare senior civil servants and politicians for leadership roles in government. The course includes a forensic international examination of why reforms go well or go badly, and examines closely the conflicts that often arise between different types of economic & governmental reform.
The programme design is based on extensive worldwide research among government leaders and international financial institutions. Course modules include security & military reform, macroeconomics, political & legal system reform and international law, for example. A central module concerns public administration and finance reforms, with a particular focus on the administration of health and education policy.
A fundamental assumption behind the course is that much international military conflict and most incidences of mass poverty can be prevented by more effective governance. An associated assumption is that the conduct of government at the top of policymaking is vital in this endeavour – on the principle that ‘good governance begins at the top’.
Course Director Paul Reynolds, said;
‘Many of the severe problems of the world – famine, repression and military conflict – arise from a lack of technical ability or adequate organisation at the top of government, the results from which can lead to diversionary security measures or a descent into economic chaos and corruption. Improving governance and democracy in the centres of power around the world can have a major positive impact on world peace and poverty reduction. That is the simple aim of this ambitious MA course’.
The Institute’s staff have worked with government ministers and international institutions in more than 60 developing and transitional governments around the globe, and this wealth of experience is brought to bear in course design and detailed teaching content.
The course is unique in that it is truly international and it focuses on all success-critical reform issues across government from the point of view of government leaders who have to balance conflicting pressures and resource constraints. Course subjects:
Public administration & finance Military & security sector reform
Macroeconomic policy Reform of political systems & democracy
Microeconomic reform International law in government
Judicial & domestic legal reform Integration of policy and political leadership
Much of the course focus is on how these different areas of reform conflict with each other and inhibit benefits for the population. Difficult issues such as relations with the World Bank and IMF, corruption, environmental damage, and demands for more democracy, are all addressed head-on.
Ends.
For further information contact:
> Prof. Paul E M Reynolds (Course Director)
Tel + 44 20 8741 1166 or + 44 20 8748 6788
Mobile/cellular + 44 7974 188087
E mail [email protected] or [email protected]
> Dr Celia Szusterman (Course Leader)
Tel + 44 20 7911 5000
E mail [email protected]
* Website: www.wmin.ac.uk >Postgrad courses > politics, or enter government in the course search box.
Backgrounder - The Global Economic Policy Institute, provides courses for senior civil servants from around the globe, in collaboration with the University of Westminster, and undertakes research and advisory projects for governments and for international aid institutions the world over. Country operations over the last 3 years include China, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Rwanda, Cambodia, Kenya and Iraq, and work with the World Bank, UK DfID and UN institutions.
Course applicants: contact Prof. Paul Reynolds [email protected] or apply online at www.wmin.ac.uk (post-graduate courses > politics)