3mSEMINAR 2008
The Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administrationand the Asia-Europe Foundation
invite you to participate in
"GOVERNANCE IN A TRIPTYCH:ENVIRONMENT, MIGRATION, PEACE AND ORDER" 23-25 October 2008 Manila, Philippines
Hosted by
The Philippine Civil Service CommissionRepublic of the Philippines
in cooperation with
The Career Executive Service Boardand theNational College of Public Administration and Governance,University of the Philippines
IntroductionThe Main ThemesRegistration and Travel LogisticsGuidelines for Paper Presentors Contact Information Download Memorandum on Hotel Reservation ProceduresINTRODUCTION
Many governments from the different parts of the globe have embraced governance as a mechanism to achieve development. However, despite the adoption of governance as a development framework, which has been argued as an effective tool towards development, massive poverty and underdevelopment have remained a prevalent challenge to many countries. This could be due to problems in terms of financial resources, gaps in terms of capacity of human resources, problems involving rampant corruption, or lack of transparency and accountability, among others. Or it could also be that the strategies or approaches adopted to achieve effective governance were not the most appropriate given the prevailing socio-economic or political situation in the country. Given these circumstances, it is imperative to review how our governments do “governance” and understand what and why problems exist in order to take necessary and appropriate measures to address them.
As a response to this challenge, this year’s EROPA Seminar has been conceptualized to dissect governance issues and problems, recommend solutions to address such issues, and discuss various ways to implement the governance framework effectively. Furthermore, this is a means for EROPA to continue what it started during the World Conference on Governance (World COG) in 1999 which adopted the theme “From Government to Governance.”
In order to provide the seminar participants with meaningful learning experiences which they can perhaps make use of and apply to their back-home situations, this seminar shall specifically look into three important governance concerns that currently appear to be the major concerns of EROPA member countries, namely: 1) environment; 2) migration; and 3) peace and order.
THE MAIN THEMES
Environment
Contemporary issues on environmental protection originate from the concept of sustainable development which means “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.” Environmental Governance is mainstreamed as it is seen as a critical factor in the attainment of sustainable development.
Discussions in this subject shall include: the role of the various stakeholders in environmental protection (the government, private sector, civil society, and academe); the governance of the commons (air, water, land, etc.); and multilevel environmental governance (local, national, global levels), among others.
The Role of Various Stakeholders in Environmental Governance
Various sectors like the academe, government, business, and civil society organizations, among others, are stakeholders in the governance of the environment. Given their different nature and orientation, each has a respective role to play in protecting the environment and in mainstreaming Environmental Governance. This sub theme shall discuss these respective stakeholders’ roles and check on what aspects can these stakeholders cooperate.
The Governance of the Commons: Earth, Water and Air
There are different approaches to the management and protection of specific environmental thematic areas. For example, the management of the marine environment is different from the management of the forest lands; likewise, there are differences in the approaches to preventing air pollution and solid waste disposal. The different best practices, experiences and approaches to the governance of specific environmental thematic areas shall be the focus of this sub theme.
Environmental Governance: Local, National and Global Levels
Environmental Governance is practiced in global, national and domestic settings. Global environmental governance can be observed through the presence of environmental governance systems, and various multilateral environmental agreements. On the other hand, national and domestic environmental governance is carried out through respective national, provincial, and city laws, policies and strategies. This sub theme shall focus on issues including: the implementation of global, national and local laws at their respective settings; and the implementation strategies that have so far been recorded to be effective and successful.
Curriculum Development on Environmental Governance
This shall be a discussion focused on the development of a higher education curriculum on Environmental Governance. Practitioners, academicians and other stakeholders are encouraged to join the discussion to solicit diverse views which may be integrated in the curriculum.
Migration
Migration, particularly labor migration, poses major impacts on the economic and social development of both the country of origin (sending country) and the country of destination (host country). While migrants benefit economically, the host country also benefits in terms of the migrants’ contributions to the host country’s labor force. How these benefits are maximized by both the sending and host countries will depend to a large extent on the governance strategies that are put in place.
The attainment of development in this case is primarily dependent on the migrants, particularly migrant workers. As catalysts of development, it is just and proper that migrants are empowered and their rights are protected and respected toward making development more attainable.
Attaining development through labor migration and protecting migrant workers require the understanding of the migration process, and its social and political impacts. Therefore, two major topics on migration (discussed below) are being prepared for this year’s seminar. These topics capture both sending and host country experiences in dealing with the migration process and its impacts.
Managing the Migration Process: Host and Sending Country Experiences The experience of many Asia-Pacific countries shows that annually, hundreds of thousands of their workers leave in search of overseas jobs. Thus, the problem of properly monitoring the movements of these workers, their proper documentation, their protection from exploitation by recruitment agencies, and worse, the possibility of their being victimized by illegal recruiters and, therefore, their illegal departures and entry to receiving countries, are concerns that require national attention by sending countries. On the other hand, ensuring that these workers, once overseas, are properly employed, their employment benefits are duly delivered to them by their employers, that they are not exploited, as well as ensuring that they behave in accordance with the customs, practices, and rules and regulations of host countries are concerns that should be properly attended to not just by the sending countries but by the receiving countries as well.
All these governance issues shall be the subject of this sub theme. For the purpose of the seminar, eight country presentations can be made on this topic: four papers by labor sending countries and four papers by labor receiving countries.
Managing the Socio-Economic and Political Impact of Migration: Host and Sending Country Experiences
Labor migration has both costs and benefits to the sending and receiving countries. The costs to the sending countries can be in the form of brain drain and family disorientation or break-up, among others; while the benefits include improved standard of living for the families owing to the dollar remittances that come in regularly. To the host country, the cost can be, among others, the intrusion of cultural practices inimical to society even as the country’s economic and industrial development is hastened by the entry of most needed manpower. How these concerns and issues are managed shall be the focus of paper presentations for this topic. For the purpose of the seminar, eight country presentations will be made: four on the experiences of labor sending countries and four from the labor receiving countries.
Peace and Order
Peace and order issues have long been considered as immediate concerns common to many countries of the globe. Insurgency and crimes have remained as major problems, caused much trouble both to the government and the people, and hindered the attainment of development.
As public administration is encompassing in nature, it involves every aspect where public service delivery is concerned. Providing a safe environment and a feeling of security to the people is one of the services that the government has to give to the public. This would mean eliminating, or at least minimizing the effects of, insurgency, crimes and other forms and sources of violence and insecurity.
This part of the seminar is aimed at providing an opportunity to discuss the different activities in eliminating security and order problems. After the sharing of ideas, practices and strategies, it is hoped that participants find the topics helpful in the peace and order management efforts in their respective countries.
Drug Abuse Prevention and Management
Drug abuse leads to various societal costs apart from the physical harm it poses to a person who is under the influence of prohibited drugs. Abuse of drugs often results in involvement in crimes which in turn cause insecurity to the public. Drug abuse prevention and management is just one of the measures to address crimes. Thus, the seminar has set a sub theme that will discuss the efforts and experiences of various countries in this respect.
From Rebellion to Compliance: Managing the Insurgency Problem
Insurgencies have been a threat to peace and order and a hindrance to the attainment of development. Investors fear to put up their businesses in places occupied by long-standing insurgency and rebel groups. Tourism is under threat and tourists refuse to visit places which are notoriously known for kidnapping incidents, bombings, etc. Civilians suffer from and are displaced due to the struggles between the military and the rebel groups. These are among the ill effects of insurgency.This sub theme provides a venue for the discussion of neutralizing insurgency through sharing of country strategies and preventive measures that are found effective, so that they may be replicated in other countries where applicable.
Achieving Effective Crime Prevention
A criminal act is irreversible; once the damage has been done, there is no way to bring a situation back to its normal and safe state. Given this premise, it is more important to prevent the occurrence of a crime than to solve it or seize the perpetrator when the crime has been committed.
Managing Political Destabilzation
Destabilizing government is common to many countries. Often driven by political motivations, government destabilization may cause interference in delivering public services. Thus, it is important to address this in order not to make the public suffer because of the political and often personal interests of the few. This sub theme is therefore considered under “Peace and Order” because it concerns security of the government, as well as security of the people.
REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Registration
The registration fees will be as follows:EROPA Member ----------------------------- US$200Non-EROPA Member ---------------------- US$250For each Accompanying Person ------- US$100
Registration fees should be paid in cash during the registration proper at the Traders Hotel Manila on the following dates:22 October 2008, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm23 October 2008, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Venues
The 54th Executive Council Meeting (for Council members only) is scheduled at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, 22 October 2008, and the seminar on 23-25 October 2008. Both activities will be held at the Traders Hotel Manila.
Visa Requirements
Participants may check at any Philippine Embassy/Consulate in their respective countries about visa requirements.
Hotel Accommodation and Reservations
The EROPA Secretariat recommends the Traders Hotel Manila (four-star hotel). The hotel is a 20-minute ride from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Participants are requested to book directly at the hotel.TRADERS HOTEL MANILA 3001 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1305, Metro Manila, Philippines Contact Person: Michelle Z. Castro, Sales Manager Tel. No.: (632) 527-9163; Fax No.: (632) 527-9188 E-mail: michele.castro@shangri-la.com Website: www.shangri-la.com
Rates: Deluxe Cityview Room (Single/Double) ------------------ 4,914.00 PhP net Deluxe Seaview Room (Single/Double) ----------------- 5,528.25 PhP net Traders Club Room (Single/Double) --------------------- 6,756.75 PhP net Extra Person (Deluxe Room) ------------------------------- 1,842.75 PhP net Extra Person (Traders Club Room) ----------------------- 2,457.00 PhP net
*Rates are inclusive of buffet breakfast, 10% service charge, 12% VAT, and 0.85% local tax.
Business HoursGovernment offices – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; private offices – 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; shopping malls – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; banks – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays and Special holidays.
Transportation
Modes of transportation include buses, jeepneys, the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and taxis.
Currency
US$1 is equivalent to 42 Philippine pesos as of May 2008.
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