CESPAM, located at the University of Botswana, was established in June 2000 as the SADC Centre of learning, training and research in public sector administration and management. It was conceived as part of a long-term strategy to meet the demand for higher education and training for senior/middle managers and other officials from the SADC region primarily in the public sector but also in the private sector.

Goals & Objectives

CESPAM aims at:

• Providing quality training in public administration and management

• Promoting & disseminating best-practice in the region

• Improving organisational performance primarily in the public sector

• Improving the skills of practising administrators and managers

• Increasing the number of trained personnel in the region

• Ensuring a continuing supply of highly trained graduates in public administration and management

• Contributing toward improved performance of the economies of the SADC member states

In attaining these objectives, the programme will take into consideration the relevant developments that have taken place in the region. These include, amongst others:

• Changes in administration and managerial roles and styles

• An emphasis on policy analysis and coordination

• The shift in emphasis from procedural enforcement to effective service delivery to private enterprise and to the public at large

• An emphasis on public sector reform

• The privatisation and commercialisation of public entities

• The change from central planning to sectorial planning

• A general emphasis on political and economic liberalisation

• The emphasis on good governance, accountability, ethics, leadership and codes of conduct

• Concerns with value for money and performance management

Activities

CESPAM undertakes the following activities:

Training

This consists of two components:

• Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA)

• Short-Term executive programmes (STEPS)

Research

Research is conducted into those primary areas and issues which will:

• Lead to improvement in organisational performance primarily in the public sector

• Contribute toward improved performance of the economies of SADC member states

• Improve feedback to training materials development for the enhancement of public administration and management

Consultancies

Consultancy services are provided by CESPAM as requested by SADC member states, public and private sector insitiutions, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Networking

CESPAM networks and creates linkages with institutional and relevant professional organisations, both within and outside of the SADC region, to deliver cost-effective programmes. These services are being enhanced by the use of the Internet and Web-based resources offering:

• Content on Institutional Development, Public Service Management, Human Resource Development and E-Government

• Links to the world-wide information resources in the area of Public Administration and Management

• Directories of useful contacts

• Moderated electronic discussion and expert advice on topical issues affecting policy-makers and senior management

• Information on educational and consultancy programmes offered by CESPAM and other relevant institutions

Governing Structures

CESPAM is housed in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies of the faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Botswana. It is headed by a Director and two bodies are responsible for governing it.

• A Management Board and

• An Advisory Committee

The Management Board advises and supports the Director in dealing with the day to day management of the Centre and the Advisory Committee is responsible for ensuring that an appropriate link is maintained between CESPAM and SADC and that all regional aspects of CESPAM's mandate are taken on board. The Advisory Committee meets at least once per year to review the work of CESPAM.

Funding

CESPAM received seed funding from the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Belgium and other donors.

Partners

Partnerships are being developed to reinforce the breath and depth of treatment of those areas of interest to the SADC community. CESPAM's current partners include the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) and the Commonwealth Network of Information  Technology for Development (COMNET-IT).