Target group
This new high-level executive course is addressed to senior public officials, managers and executives / CEOs, members of the board, management teams and executive committees from city and supra-local governments, their politicians and associations which represent these actors as well as to state officials (from Ministries) who deal with cities in their respective countries. These principal corporate responsibles and leaders, who are managing the public funds, design and examine strategies with their politicians for (financial) management and accountability in their public authorities and enterprises, are key players in their organisation and need to ‘lead by example’ while being knowledgeable and acquainted with as well as capable to use innovative, future and sustainable concepts, tools and practices.
Description
In 2012, the 600 economically top cities generated 60% of the global GDP. In Europe, roughly 70% of the GDP is produced in metropolitan regions. And there is no change in trend in sight. In fact, in times of crisis, it is the local level which is hit first by the loss of jobs, closure or departure of companies and other socio-economic effects. As a consequence, every local territory is searching for a formula which creates growth, added value jobs and sustainable development. Cities’ success and prosperity depends nowadays on how they are managed. The role of the public sector within this scenario must not be underestimated. Considering its vast role, it is fair to say that a well-functioning (local) public sector is the cornerstone for (local) prosperity and growth. Correspondingly, excellent (local) public governance and management are ‘the’ determinant factors in any scenario of growth and/or recovery. This includes the development of holistic and sustainable strategies, solid, but at the same time flexible organisational structures as well as reformed and harmonised public sector financial systems.
Thus, to make it possible in a scenario of an everyday increasingly challenging and complex environment, a win-win deal/agreement between politics and management is a must, a deal to be reached in the ‘organisation keystone zone’, the zone in between the corporate/politics and executive boards and teams. The ‘Politics and Management Deal (PMD)’ model or approach, becomes a comprehensive and structured system that embraces a wide range of tools and concepts including the whole of government and its administration, from management to finance, from definition to execution strategy, from alignment to innovative and creative orientation, from results-oriented trends and practices to resonant and emotional leadership, towards citizen trust and services as well as quality, growth and sustainability by all ways and means.
Learning methodology
This two-day top-level activity will combine ‘theory’ with real practices from across Europe in a comprehensive way. At the end of the executive education programme each participant will be equipped with the concept, (formal) processes and tools of the Politics & Management Deal (PMD) approach as well as its methodology to define and design a transparent, professional, accountable and sustainable model in the participants’ own public organisations. Participants will thus be acquainted with different elements of the PMD and learn how to achieve its ‘own deal’ as well as to ultimately make it a reality for all stakeholders (politicians, top management, civil servants etc.). All thematic issues (the ‘knowledge’) will be introduced progressively and illustrated, i.e. each supported, by well selected (best) practice(s) or business case (the ‘how to do’) from EIPA’s resource platform (e.g. EPSA, etc.) showcasing both the positive and strong elements of the case but also highlighting the possible bottlenecks or obstacles faced during the successful implementation. The provision of a ‘box’ of best practices with their success criteria (‘…the making of…’) will guide and inspire the local executives in the respective subsequent delivery.
Objectives
This executive and practice-oriented course aims to provide participants with a sound overview of the PMD approach and methodology supported by hands-on practices and stewardship from the different European city cultures. Participants will acquire the knowledge, capacities and skills to design public strategies, align them with political priorities as well as to embed them to the available financial resources (budgets) and establish sound performance and management/control systems which improve transparency, accountability and intergenerational equity.
