The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) concludes the 1st Advanced Leadership Development Programme on Public Policy and Governance, specifically designed for civil servants from Latin America and Caribbean nations. The two-week leadership development program, held from 2nd to 13th September 2024, brought together 22 senior civil servants from 10 diverse countries, including Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Suriname.
During the valedictory session, Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and Director General of NCGG delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations between India and Latin America and Caribbean nations. He accentuated the relevance of India’s governance strategies, such as “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government,” digital governance initiatives like Digital India, and the holistic developmental model for good governance. Further, he suggested these governance practices could be effectively replicated in the unique governance challenges faced by the participants’ home countries.
The valedictory session also featured insightful presentations from the participants, who were divided into four groups. Each group delivered a detailed analysis of key governance topics, including Ethics and Accountability in Leadership and Governance, Smart Cities and Urban Governance, Improving Public Service Delivery, and Women-Centric Governance. These presentations showcased not only governance initiatives from their respective countries but also their takeaways from India’s policies and governance models.
During the first phase of the programme, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions on a broad spectrum of topics. In the second phase of the programme, participants embarked on field visits to key institutions that exemplify India’s approach to governance and sustainability. They toured the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, where they learned about environmental governance, and the Cyber Security Cell, where India’s approach to digital security and data protection was demonstrated. Further visits included the National Institute of Solar Energy and the International Solar Alliance, showcasing India’s leadership in renewable energy and sustainable development. A heritage visits to the Taj Mahal allowed participants to experience India’s rich cultural heritage.
The programme was meticulously organized and supervised by a team of experts. Dr. Himanshi Rastogi, the Course Coordinator, led the efforts, supported by Dr. M. K. Bhandari, Associate Course Coordinator, and Dr. Zaid Fakhar, Consultant. The team also included Ms. Megha Tomar, a Young Professional, Shri Sanjay Dutt Pant, a Programme Assistant, and Shri Brijesh Bisht, Training Assistant.