INTRODUCTION
The 43rd Association of African Public Administration (AAPAM) Roundtable theme, "Agile and Resilient Public Administration for Sustainable Development in Africa," challenges us to rethink traditional governance frameworks, advocating for systems that are not only responsive to immediate crises but also adaptive to future uncertainties. The focus is on building robust administrative capacities that can sustain developmental momentum and harness innovations to meet the diverse needs of a growing population. Government of Uganda and AAPAM will host the 43RD Round Table conference with the awareness of the times and call especially with the advent of AI solutions and challenges.
The 43rd Roundtable dialogue will pivot around integrating agility and resilience in the core functions of public administration to propel sustainable development across the continent. This approach requires a synthesis of effective policymaking, enhanced technological integration, and proactive public sector management. By emphasizing these elements, the conference aims to equip African nations with the tools to navigate the complexities of modern governance, ensuring that public administration acts as a cornerstone for sustainable and inclusive growth. This vision aligns with the broader goals of the 2030 and 2063 Agendas, aiming to create governance systems that are both dynamic and robust enough to secure a prosperous future for all Africans. This Aide Memoir serves as a guiding framework for navigating the evolving landscapes of governance, emphasizing the importance of dynamic leadership, ethical foundations, digital empowerment, and global cooperation. Through shared commitment and collective action, this 43rd Roundtable discourse envisions a future where governance acts as a catalyst for transformative change, driving progress towards the realization of global agendas and building a legacy of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
Government of Uganda is fully facilitating the hosting of conference with financial resources and the provision of the National Organising Committee steered by the Secretary to the President. Uganda Management Institute alongside UAPAM are playing a pivotal in supporting the conference organisation at both the technical and support level.
BACKGROUND TO THE 43RD ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE
The 43rd Roundtable Conference follows the success of the 42nd Roundtable, held in December 2023 at the stunning Victoria Falls Resort in Zambia. The 42nd conference focused on the important theme of "Building Resilient Societies in Africa through Effective Governance and Public Administration." This theme highlighted the essential role strong African societies play in achieving sustainable development. The Roundtable also emphasized the need to meet the ambitious goals of both the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063
CONTEXTUAL ORIENTATION
The background to this theme is deeply rooted in the continent's ongoing efforts to align with global developmental goals while addressing local realities. African nations are increasingly recognizing the importance of governance systems that can adapt to rapid changes and recover from setbacks without compromising long-term developmental objectives. The push towards a more agile and resilient public administration is essential for ensuring that governance not only meets the current needs of its people but also anticipates future challenges and opportunities. This theme encourages a proactive approach to public administration that is critical for achieving sustainable development across the continent. Economically, Africa's landscape is characterized by infrastructural deficits, limited financial inclusion, and challenging business environments, which collectively impede sustainable growth and development. Despite innovative strides in sectors such as mobile banking, the continent grapples with an infrastructure gap that stifles economic activity and stunts development prospects.
In the realm of public administration and governance, the journey thus far reflects a tapestry of advancements and enduring hurdles. On one hand, there has been commendable progress in institutional reforms, digital governance initiatives, and efforts towards transparency and accountability, which have collectively contributed to more responsive and efficient public services in various regions across the continent. The proliferation of digital platforms has facilitated greater citizen engagement and streamlined service delivery, marking significant strides towards modernizing governance frameworks. On the other hand, the landscape is still marred by challenges that stem from systemic corruption, resource misallocation, and a lack of robust mechanisms for public accountability. Moreover, the rapid pace of technological change, while offering new opportunities for governance innovation, also presents challenges in terms of digital divide, cyber security risks, and the need for digital literacy and inclusion. These contrasting realities underscore the critical need for a multifaceted approach in addressing the complexities of governance and public administration in Africa, one that not only builds on the progress achieved but also confronts the persistent challenges with renewed vigour and innovative strategies.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ROUND-TABLE CONFERENCE
Building on the momentum and insights garnered from the 42nd AAPAM Roundtable Conference, the 43rd edition aims to further elevate the discourse on governance and public administration within the context of Africa's developmental aspirations and global commitments. The overarching objective is to gather a diverse array of experts from various disciplines and regions for a rich exchange of ideas, strategies, and experiences, with the goal of deepening the understanding of critical issues and fostering collaborative initiatives. This platform will address a spectrum of concerns, ranging from policy formulation and execution to the nuances of research, innovation, and the multifaceted socio-economic and environmental challenges confronting the continent. The goal is to cultivate actionable insights, foster knowledge sharing, and stimulate recommendations that will guide decision-making processes, shape impactful policies, and catalyse transformative change.
Specifically, the objectives for the 43rd Roundtable Conference are to:
a) Foster Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue: To facilitate a dynamic exchange among experts from diverse fields and regions, promoting a multi-dimensional perspective on governance and public administration challenges and opportunities within Africa.
b) Enhance Policy Development: To advance the formulation and implementation of effective policies by delving into contemporary governance issues, leveraging the collective expertise and experiences of participants to propose innovative solutions.
c) Promote Research and Innovation: To spotlight and encourage research and innovation in governance and public administration, highlighting cutting-edge practices and technologies that can drive progress and efficiency.
d) Address Socio-Economic and Environmental Challenges: To specifically tackle the socio-economic and environmental hurdles that impede Africa's development, fostering discussions that lead to sustainable and inclusive strategies.
a) To conduct a thorough analysis of Africa's public administration landscape, identifying the gaps between current capabilities and future goals, with the objective of developing strategies to bridge these discrepancies.
b) Generate Actionable Insights and Recommendations: To synthesize the discussions and insights from the conference into concrete recommendations and strategies that can inform decision-making and policy formulation at various levels of governance.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Following the conclusion of the 43rd AAPAM Roundtable Conference, several significant outcomes are anticipated in alignment with the conference's objectives, contributing to the advancement of public administration and governance across Africa. These expected results will not only reflect the depth of the discussions but also the collaborative efforts of participants to address the critical challenges and opportunities within the continent's governance and administrative frameworks.
Key expected outcomes include:
a) Enhanced Understanding of Governance Challenges: A comprehensive analysis and shared understanding among participants of the critical challenges and opportunities in Africa's governance and public administration landscape.
b) Strategic Frameworks for Improvement: The development and dissemination of strategic frameworks aimed at enhancing the capacity of public administration across Africa, tailored to address identified gaps and discrepancies.
c) Innovative Governance Solutions: A collection of innovative solutions and best practices in governance and public administration, drawn from the collaborative discussions and diverse expertise present at the conference.
d) Action Plans for Inclusive Development: Detailed action plans designed to overcome barriers to inclusive development, fostering policies and initiatives that ensure equitable access to services and opportunities for all citizens.
e) Technology Integration Strategies: Clear strategies and recommendations for the effective integration of emerging technologies in public administration, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
f) Policy Recommendations Document: A comprehensive document encapsulating key insights, policy recommendations, and actionable strategies derived from the conference, aimed at guiding policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in implementing transformative changes in governance and public administration.
THE 43RD ROUNDTABLE SUB-THEMES:
a Strengthening Leadership and Management Capacity in Public Administration
b Building Resilient Institutions
a Inclusive and Participatory Governance
d Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development
e Enhancing Public Service Delivery
f) Harnessing Technology for Public Administration
