UAE Government Leaders Programme successfully surveys government reforms and public-private sector partnerships in Australia and New Zealand
The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs organized a study visit for 30 participants from the UAE Government Leaders Programme to Australia and New Zealand from April 21-29. The visit specifically targeted participants of the “Future Leaders” group. The visit’s aim was to meet government officials in both countries and survey best practice in their public sector.
During the visit, participants were acquainted with many initiatives and developmental projects in major public departments in Australia and New Zealand. The participants took full advantage of the opportunity to interact and participate in a dynamic exchange of information and ideas, and were urged to observe and discuss the components which could be implemented in a tangible way in their own government departments. The trip had special relevance to UAE Federal Government employees as Australia and New Zealand both follow a federal system that is parallel to the UAE system.
The study visit aimed to provide participants with all the necessary tools to impart the expertise required to enhance their leadership capabilities in accordance with the Government Leaders Programme’s mission of enabling aspiring leaders to absorb the ethos of the UAE Government Strategy and successfully channel this knowledge to their teams.
Ohood Al Roumi, Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, praised the visit and the opportunity it provided participants to help inculcate the expertise acquired during their visits to various public sector entities in Australia and New Zealand. “The two countries were selected based on their leading position in the field of sustainable development on different fronts, and the various reform programmes implemented by them. The visit enabled the participants to benefit from the experiences of these two countries and translate this knowledge into reforms in their own departments, in alignment with the UAE Government Strategy.”
Abdulla Al Basti, Director of the UAE Government Leaders Programme said, “The study visit enabled the adoption of internationally recognized best practices in public sector administration, and guided aspiring leaders on the application of these principles. This visit presented a unique opportunity to expand the horizon of the participants by enhancing their leadership potential as the next layer of government leaders, and by strengthening relationships among them.”
The group visited the Crawford School of Economics and Government at The Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, between April 21-24, followed by an extensive program at the School of Government at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand from April 27-29. The thirty participants from the “Future Leaders Programme” visited various government entities in both countries.
During the Australian leg of the study tour, participants tackled an array of subjects including an introduction to the Australian system of government, principles of policy coordination and policy implementation at the federal level as well as synergies between Federal and State Government, and nurturing international competitiveness through innovative policies and cluster development. They also visited the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to observe policy coordination within the Australian Government as a whole, and the Australian Public Service Commission to observe best practices in HR Performance Management, Education and Health Reform, Crisis Management, Viable Systems Analysis and its applications in the public sector
The New Zealand leg of the tour enabled the observation of various projects specifically New Zealand public sector reforms. The study tour also explored the issue of privatization and public and private sector partnerships, e-government, efforts involved in fostering health sector capabilities and improving high quality educational services. The participants were also acquainted with New Zealand’s policies towards research and development and the means by which this research is utilized in creating policies that enable coordination and integration between different government departments.
In addition, the trip included a visit to a New Zealand port where different departments collaborate to conserve marine life.
The UAE Government Leaders Programme, launched in February 2008, aims to develop visionary leaders and promote the best international practices in government leadership. The multi-pronged UAE Government Leaders Programme focuses on UAE federal employees across two levels: Executive leaders: targeting Executive Directors and Department Directors, and Future Leaders: targeting Deputy Department Directors along with all remaining staff levels throughout the UAE federal government.
