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    • Public Service Reform Conference 2007

    21st Century Public Services - Learning from the Front Line

    Press Releases

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    PM and Chancellor Keynote Speakers at Public Sector Reform Conference

    A National School of Government Sunningdale Institute commentary on today's Public Service Reform Conference, to be held in London, will analyse conference themes and provide practical guidance on future public service leadership and organisational development.

    The conference, '21st Century Public Services - Learning from the Front Line,' has been organised by the National School of Government and will include keynote addresses from the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. Delegates will include UK and international public service reform experts and practitioners, business leaders, academics, senior civil servants, and representatives from local authorities and the voluntary sector.

    As well as leading thinkers and practitioners in public service reform, the event will feature - in a session chaired by Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of Turning Point and National School Board Member - people from the front line explaining how they have changed services for the better. Principal and Chief Executive of the National School of Government, David Spencer, explained: "This event will encourage learning around citizens and their expectations, and the importance of configuring organisations and empowering front line staff to deliver. We are well-placed to kick-start a response given the Sunningdale Institute's role to develop 'practical wisdom' in public services."

    'Learning from the front line - new perspectives on reform' will include essays from National School Sunningdale Institute Fellows on themes such as learning and development, engaging staff, customer focus, building services around citizens, and delivering through people. Scheduled for publication in May 2007, the report will be mailed to speakers, delegates, ministers and others, and made available on the National School website.

    Further highlights of today's conference will include:

  • A report from Ben Page of Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute on the results of the public consultation exercise for the Policy Review - set up by the Cabinet in October 2006, with the aim of taking stock of the challenges and opportunities facing the UK and reviewing the UK's longer term strategic priorities.

  • A panel chaired by Paul Coen, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, to consider the merits of Capability Assessments as a driver for performance improvement.

  • Jocelyne Bourgon, Canadian Ambassador to the OECD and President Emeritus, Canada School of Public Service, offering an international perspective on public service reform.

  • Table discussions, informed by presentations and facilitated by the National School and event partners Ernst & Young, providing electronic feedback from delegates.

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    Notes to editors:

    1. More details on the Public Service Reform Conference 2007 can be found at http://www.nationalschool.gov.uk/news_events/psrc2007/index.asp.

    2. The National School of Government was launched in June 2005 as the Government's centre of excellence for learning and development and became a separate government department in January 2007. Led by David Spencer, it strives to ensure the highest professional and academic standards in public service organisational and people development.

    3. Chaired by Professor Cary Cooper of the Lancaster University Management School, and directed by Professor Sue Richards at the National School of Government, the Sunningdale Institute brings together leading academics and industry figures to advise public service leaders and organisations on operational and delivery issues. It offers knowledge exchange, consultancy, and learning and development activities for senior public servants - both proactively, and on request. Fellows are available to give briefings, lead research projects, participate in high-level consultancy interventions, and facilitate dialogue on particular topics of importance to government.

    Visit www.nationalschool.gov.uk for more information. For media enquiries, please contact Rob Reynolds, National School of Government; email: rob.reynolds@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk; tel 01344 634145; m 07881 518719, or Chris Blunkell, Media Associate; email: chris.blunkell@btinternet.com; tel: 01227 772747; m 07941 831341.