Including international Concepts, Experiences and characteristics aimed at achieving productivity of
high quality and accuracy, the "Good Governance" Leadership Program of Muscat Municipality Officials has been released
By Ibrahim Al-Hassani
HE Mr. Salem bin Muslim Al-Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Civil Service for the administrative development has affirmed on the significance of the development of the managing leaders, motivating fruitful work and productivity, in the State organizations to cope with the current developments in global systems, with emphasis on precision and speed to achieve the targets set for the service of this generous country. This is mentioned in a speech delivered by HE under his sponsorship of the ceremony of the release of the "Good Governance" Leadership Program to the general managers, their assistants, directors of departments and decision makers of various directorates, units and departments of Muscat Municipality in the presence of HE Eng. Sultan bin Hamdoon Al-Harthy, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, in the lecture hall of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque .
Wishing for the participants to make good use and achieve the goals and objectives of this program, HE also added that the Municipality is seeking to rehabilitate and train the staff to serve the service and municipal business sectors. The human element is the pillar and foundation of any governmental or private authorities.
Concepts of Good Governance
Mr. Yusuf Mohamed, the lecturer and the international certified trainer, explains that there are several definitions of Good Governance, notably the definition set by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as "practice of the economic, political and administrative powers for the management of the State affairs at all levels. It includes the mechanisms, processes and organizations through which the citizens and people`s groups can express for their interests, exercise their legal rights, fulfill their commitments and accept mediation to resolve their disputes". The Arab Human Development Report also defines it as "the governance, which promotes, supports and protects human well-being, is based on the expansion of the economic, social and political capacity, choices, opportunities and freedom of the human beings and seeks to fully represent all classes of people, with accountability for ensuring the interests of all the people".
Moreover, the definition of Center of Studies and Research of the Developing Countries (C.S.D.C) was reviewed, stating that Good Governance is an integral part of the system of human rights, democracy, civil society, citizenship, participation and sustainable human development. Also, Good Governance is a matter associated with the State, government, civil society and private sector organizations. It is a method of managing and directing the organization, and the way by which the authorities proceed with the management of financial and human resources of the organizations in order to achieve their set targets. However, for achieving Good Governance, it must be characterized by the rule of law, integrity, transparency, participation and institutional efficiency.
Governance Characteristics
The participants interacted with the instructor to enrich the concepts related to the expertise and methodologies of municipal work related to the administrative structure and mechanisms of decision making, studying and following up.
"For such mechanisms and organizations to be effective from the prospective of the society, they should have certain characteristics e.g. participation, transparency, equality, rule of law, response (in the interest of all parties), attention for unanimity and compatibility, quality, productivity, accountability, strategic vision, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability" said the lecturer.
Governance Implications
Good Governance involves practice of authority and its rights in accordance with the principle of accountability, including the mechanisms and processes taken by this authority in the management of the organization`s affairs and its effective operation. Practice of authority should be stemming out of the rule of law, integrity and transparency.
Good Governance seeks to strengthen the institutional capacities, empower human beings and expand choices and opportunities for them in order to take advantage of the development and its organizations and programs. It also targets to achieve the interests of the people through their involvement in decision making, law enforcement, fight against corruption and establishment of the values of democracy, justice and equality.
Good Governance establishes the rules of justice and equality and seeks for the realization of the principle of equal opportunities for the members of the community in terms of access to and utilization of resources, ensuring availability of participation for all. It also involves mechanisms for the election of the legitimate authority of the organization and method of exercising the powers granted by law for the conduct of the affairs of the organization for the public interest, including the selection and control of the empowered staff, and the ability to effectively and efficiently manage resources.
Good Governance promotes the role of civil society and development organizations to best achieve their targets and to meet the requirements of the groups for which it has been created.
One of the basic requirements that will help civil society organizations to reach the characteristics of Good Governance is the scope of its commitment to provide the elements and pillars of the institutional work, in form and content, particularly the legislation, laws, rules and regulations governing the organization, the existence of trained, stimulated and developed human resources and the presence of integrated plans and organizational structure.
Good Governance is considered a guarantee to enable the development institutions, organizations and programs to perform their roles in promoting the well-being of people and expand the capabilities, choice, freedom and economic, social and political opportunities of, especially the poorest and most marginalized, human beings. The absence of Good Governance is an essential factor in impeding the efforts to achieve the objectives of development, deepening marginalization and generates instability in institutions.
Concluded tomorrow, Wednesday, the program continues and focuses on building positive attitudes towards the importance of applying the standards and criteria of Good Governance to applicable scientific experiments, through discussion and enrichment, between the participants and the trainer.
