The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), in partnership with the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), is actively leading the initiative to review and/or upgrade the Standards of Excellence for Public Administration Education and Training. Established in 2023, this collaborative task force is dedicated to modernizing these standards, which were last finalized in 2008, to ensure their alignment with current global goals and advancements in public administration.

The existing Standards of Excellence, while still relevant, require revision to encompass the insights gained from UN DESA/DPIDG and IASIA's ongoing work in education and training. Importantly, the current standards precede the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which emphasizes the crucial role of inclusive and equitable education, as well as the need for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels (Goal 16).

This revision is not just a technical process but an opportunity to significantly impact global governance positively. The review aims to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the standards, reflecting the evolving landscape of public administration.

The review process, slated for 2023-2024, is a global and regional effort, allowing schools, institutes of public administration, networks, academia, and international, regional, and national organizations to contribute their ideas. An online survey and a series of meetings, including regional workshops, have been scheduled to facilitate comprehensive input.

The next regional events are as follows:

• Lusophone Countries Workshop

  • Date: December 04, 2023
  • Event Link: Lusophone Countries Workshop

• Spanish-Speaking Countries Workshop

  • Date: December 05, 2023
  • Event Link: Spanish-Speaking Countries Workshop

• Middle East Regional Workshop

  • Date: December 08, 2023
  • Event Link: Middle East Regional Workshop

These events will provide valuable opportunities for stakeholders to actively engage in shaping the future of public administration education and training.

The culmination of this effort will be the publication of the new Standards of Excellence in the Fall of 2024, making them accessible on the UNPAN website.

For more information, and to contribute to this initiative, please visit:

https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/un-desaiasia-review-and-upgrade-standards-excellence-public-administration-education-and-training

https://iias-iisa.org/news/un-desa-and-iasia-call-for-contributions-to-review-and-upgrade-the-standards-of-excellence-in-public-administration-education-and-training/

https://iias-iisa.org/news/first-meeting-of-the-iasia-and-the-un-desa-task-force-for-the-review-of-the-standards-of-excellence-in-public-administration-education-and-training/