Peer Learning in Government
Networks
Strengthening Public Expenditure
Management in Europe and
Central Asia
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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What I would like to do:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain why Peer Learning is
important
Explain how Networks can enhance
learning and performance in
government
Give examples of Networks and
activities that PEM-PAL can learn from
Provide ideas for you to consider in
shaping the PEM-PAL program
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Individual Learning
When do
adults learn
the most?
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Focusing on Reflection
Source: Kolb’s Learning Cycle
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Peer Review
An assessment of the work of network
members by other members. Peers should
perceive themselves as being at the same
hierarchical level and give recommendations in
a helpful and congenial way.
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Lessons on Peer Reviews
► Use
a moderator, structured processes and
stick to the process chosen
► Be cooperative, supportive and nonjudgemental
► Be as honest as you can (learn from
mistakes)
► Be alert to and respect differences in
culture, gender and professional orientation
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Learning in Government
“A learning government is a government
continuously learning from its successes and failures,
capable of constantly reforming its structure,
processes and policies to reflect new knowledge and
insights.”
Source: Knowledge Management Challenges
for the Public Sector, OECD
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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South Africa:
Networking for Public Sector Performance
“By means of learning networks, annual
conferences and other initiatives, the program
facilitates the sharing of good practices
among the staff of government agencies in
order to enhance organizational performance
in the South African public sector.”
Source: World Public Sector Report, 2006
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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The Value of Networks
Organization
 Better, faster
problem solving
 Reduced time and
costs
 Improved quality of
decisions
 Benchmarking with
other institutions
 Increased retention
of talent
 Catalyst for
partnerships
Individual
 Improve individual
performance
 Direct access to
expertise
 Confidence building
 Sense of belonging
 Forum for expanding
skills and expertise
 Network for keeping
abreast of a field
 Enhanced
professional
reputation
Short term
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
Long term
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Types of Government Networks
1.
2.
3.
Enforcement
Networks
Harmonization
Networks
Information
Networks
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Information Networks
Created and sustained by the valuable exchange of
ideas, techniques, experiences and problems.
► Collect and distill info of members into best practice
► Exchange information about each other – concerning
competence, quality, integrity and professionalism
► Examples:
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OECD Working Party of Senior Budget Officials
Regional Network of Social Funds in the ECA Region
(ECANET)
Inter-American Center for Tax Administrations (CIAT)
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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ECANet:
A Regional Network of Social Funds
Structure and Purpose:
►
►
Organized in 1998 at the first
regional conference in Armenia
Rotating, self-financing,
voluntary Secretariat
►
Started with 7 member
countries, and expanded to 14
►
Goal: regional cooperation,
learning and exchange of
information between
participating funds
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
Activities:
►
Regional conferences
►
Regional training seminars and
workshops
►
Internship program to
exchange specialists working in
different Funds
►
Study tours
►
E-bulletin and publication of
papers
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Inter-American
Center for Tax Administrations
Structure and Purpose:
Activities:
►
In 1965-66, a steering committee
drafted by-laws, and in 1967, a general
assembly approved them
►
Organization of international meetings
(annual Assembly, conferences and
technical seminars)
►
Permanent headquarters in Panama.
CIAT is recognized as an international
organization.
►
Library and database specializing in
tax-related issues
Started with 20 American member
countries, now there are 36 countries
(29 American, 6 European and 1
African)
►
Working papers
►
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Technical assistance services
►
Working groups
►
Models, manuals and best practices
►
E-CIAT
►
Essay Contest ($5,000 prize)
►
Goal: to promote mutual cooperation
between member countries and
provide a forum for the exchange of
experiences, aimed at improving their
tax administrations
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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What Networks Do: Ideas for PEM-PAL
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Websites with regular
updates
Members/expert list and
information
Info exchanges via email discussion forum
Electronic newsletters
Query and answer
services (i.e. Help Desk)
Electronic conferences
Annual workshops and
conferences
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Site visits
After-action reviews
Toolkits
Manuals
“How-to guides”
Lessons learned notes
Video conference “peer
assist”
Communities of Practice
Peer reviews
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What Does PEM-PAL Need to Do?
Lessons from Successful Networks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Focus on topics important to the business of
network members
Find a well-respected member to coordinate
the network
Get key thought leaders involved
Build personal relationships among members
Develop an active and passionate core group
(champions)
Make it easy to contribute and access the
network’s knowledge and practice (technical)
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Challenges to Overcome
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Seniority and power distance (separation
between high and low ranks)
Culture as an excuse (solutions are too
context specific)
Feelings of superiority (between countries
and/or individuals)
Time and distance
Language
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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Moving PEM-PAL Forward:
Stages in Developing a Network
Make use of initial enthusiasm (Warsaw 2005)
Organize a start-up event or workshop (Warsaw
2006)
Start a few concrete activities
Develop a mid-term action plan
Become operational
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Agree on a governance structure
Establish back-up services (secretariat)
Develop a body or rules and regulations (agree on
and write down guidelines)
Start promoting the network
PEM-PAL Conference: April 2-5, 2006
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