Global Experts Meet at United Nations Headquarters to Redefine Standards of Excellence

United Nations Headquarters, October 15, 2024 — In a significant step towards enhancing public administration education worldwide, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), alongside the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), convened an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) from October 14 to 15. This pivotal gathering brought together 24 experts from diverse academic and training institutions globally to discuss and agree upon new Standards of Excellence for Public Administration Education and Training. A roadmap for implementation of the standards was also discussed. 

The discussions, held at UN Headquarters, aimed to update standards that have not been revised since their initial adoption in 2008. With contributions from over 1,000 professionals through global workshops and an extensive multilingual online survey, the UN DESA/IASIA Global Task Force seeks to ensure that the new standards align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the principles of effective governance for sustainable development, and reflect contemporary challenges and opportunities. 

These new Standards of Excellence will shape the future of public administration education and training—at a time when excellence in public service is more critical than ever," stated Mr. Juwang Zhu, Director of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government of UN DESA.  The President of IASIA, Dr. Najat Zarrouk, emphasized that the standards "will help shape the next generation of leaders, public servants, and students—those who will lead and manage public institutions, advise policymakers, and ensure that these institutions are strong, effective, competent, equitable, inclusive, and accountable while leaving no one behind." 

The meeting underscored the importance of adapting public administration education to meet the evolving demands of sustainable development. As the world faces unprecedented challenges, the revised Standards of Excellence will serve as a vital framework for institutions committed to training the next generation of public leaders. The task force's efforts highlight a global commitment to strengthening governance and ensuring that public administration education remains relevant and impactful.