RECOGNITION
OF HRD AS HUMAN RIGHT ADVOCATED
The
overwhelming consensus, at the five-day Second Specialised International
Conference of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences
(IIAS) on the them ‘Towards Quality Governance for Sustainable
Growth and Development’ which concluded here today, was that ‘people-centered
governance with human touch’ should be the guiding factor
in governance and the ‘human resource development should be recognized
as a human right’. The need to reinforce the capabilities of the
Governments to achieve sustainable development was also
stressed. Another major consensus was that to absorb the effect
of globalisation, mere economic value of market economy is not
enough and ethical values have to be added to the process. Regarding
the relations between international organisations and national
administrations, it was felt that there was a need to develop
new regulation modes which are more analytical and inline with
the sustainable development. Expressing concern over the corruption
in public life, the paramount need of value based public officials,
both politicians and bureaucrats was stressed.
In
his valedictory address, Shri Kamal Pande, Cabinet Secretary,
said that criteria to determine definitions of ‘public good’ or
‘public interest’ should be evolved on the basis of a public consensus.
To devise suitable strategies for sustainable growth and development,
Shri Pande stressed the need for Governments to involve and consult
the people in the decision-making process. He said that for ‘Quality
Governance’ the foundational pillars are: I) Accessibility and
responsiveness, ii) Transparency and honesty, iii) Responsibility
and accountability, iv) Participative decision-making process
and v) Maximizing public well-being and satisfaction. It devolves
upon the leadership of a country to ensure that the foundation
of its governance rests on these pillars. Without the political
will, the idea and vision of ‘quality governance’ will remain
on paper, he added. For sustainable growth and development, policies
which are for the long-term good and well-being of its citizenry
can be framed only in concert with the citizen. To achieve this,
it would be necessary to empower the common man, the citizen,
politically, economically, socially and intellectually so that
he realizes his true potential and is able to contribute optimally
to the task of building his nation and upgradation his environment,
he said.
In the
context of globalisation Shri Pande said that the government has
to create a level ground for the free and fair play of market
forces on the one hand and act as a promoter and regulator on
the other. It has to promote the activities of positive stakeholders
who conformed to the interest of growth and development of the
society as a whole but it has to control and regulate the negative
stakeholders working against the interest of the society. The
government has also a role to create awareness among the people
about their environment and the best practices to protect it,
further said Shri Pande.
More
than 300 administrators from over 50 countries attended the Conference
which was held here from November 6 to 9, 2002. During the Conference,
they participated in the sub-groups’ discussions on several papers
to emphasize the empowerment and autonomy of the bureaucracy as
core concerns of the State, notably in its technical role of participation
with politicians and society and in formulating and implementing
public policies. The third Conference will be held in Cameroon,
Africa next year.
