THE PUBLIC POLICY KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (PPKN) project is active in the South Caucasus countries of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The project, managed by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), focuses its assistance in the field of public policy capacity building within the government of Georgia and the schools of public administration in the South Caucasus.
Central to governance reform is the demand for policy analysis by governments, and, the availability of professionally trained individuals capable of facing the challenges of transition economies. To this end, the project aims to deliver short-term in-service training courses to designated Georgian government officials and equip these officials to deliver practical assistance, i.e., policy analysis, on issues of importance to government ministries. At the same time, the project aims to build public policy curricula within the primary public administration schools in the region. The knowledge sharing and resource development program addresses the need for current, relevant, local-language information resources, and the need for regional networking and information sharing among practitioners in the region. Finally, the PPKN project portal at www.ppkn.net is an active part of program delivery. One of the most noteworthy functions of the portal is the digital library of public policy and governance resources that are universally available. Over time, the portal will also facilitate virtual networks for public servants to develop a stronger sense of professionalism. Throughout this project, gender equality will be a cross cutting theme meaning not only will men and women be equal participants in project activities, but policy implications that affect men and women differently will be also be thoroughly examined.
The Canadian Bureau for International Education recognizes that sometimes the most relevant learning experiences for countries in transition come from countries that have already gone through a similar transition or are still going through their own transition. As such, this project cooperates with several Eastern European partners including the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (Hungary), the National Academy of Public Administration (Ukraine), and the Central European University (Hungary). Carleton University (Ottawa) is CBIE’s primary Canadian partner in this effort and enjoys a high level of respect as one of Canada’s leading public policy institutions. The Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS) is the project’s primary local partner in Tbilisi.
Training Courses:
Legal Framework for Policy Analysis
Government Structures and Processes
Integrating Gender Analysis into the Policy Process Crafting Policy Papers
Research Policy
Critical Steps in the Public Policy
Ethics
Economics for Public Policy
Project Management
Cost Benefit Analysis
Program Evaluation
Strategic Planning and Management
Statistical Methods and Resources
Contemporary Challenges
Government Policy |
PUBLIC POLICY TRAINING FOR GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS - The policy working group program is a comprehensive, gender-sensitive training activity designed to build policy analysis and development skills within the Government of Georgia and create demand for public policy. During the year-long program, working groups research a major policy topic in consultation with their respective ministerial authorities and complete training courses in public policy conducted by Canadian, international and local experts. Fellows are also responsible for submitting a policy briefing note and a policy paper. Local mentors at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies provide content expertise, quality control as well as continuous instruction in between training sessions.
Advisory Services: Ministry of Economic Development Public Service Bureau |
THE POLICY ADVICE FOR REFORM (PAR) mechanism facilitates the timely delivery of responsive policy advice to the ministries and governmental agencies. Activities implemented under PAR originate with the target governmental agency and are reviewed by the project team in Georgia and Canada through a rapid, standardized selection process. PAR has been designed to provide funding for small initiatives with a specific reform focus and typically provides funding for Canadian advisory and expert services. It also allows for study visits to Canada for government officials to study particular areas of policy reform where Canadian expertise is recognized.
Human Resources Managers Network - Following a study visit to Canada that brought Heads of Human Resources Departments from fourteen Georgian governmental bodies to Canada in June 5-9, 2006, the PPKN project launched the Human Resources Managers Network (HRMN) that will provide an opportunity to carry on the idea of strengthening connections and cooperation among the participants. This way, the project aims to contribute to building better coordination among HR units within different ministries as well as the Parliament. Against the backdrop of the limited consultation in the area of HR management among major governmental stakeholders, study tour participants expressed their willingness to convene on a regular basis under the PPKN auspices for exchange of opinions and sharing experiences.
