EGPA  and the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration thank you for joining the 2011 EGPA Annual Conference held from 7 to 10 September.

We hope the conference was fruitful and that you will join us again next year in Bergen!

The President of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies Mrs.Roberta Alma Anastase warmly saluted the audience and briefly spoke about the efforts made by the Romanian legislative in order to diminish the effects of the world crisis in the past three years. As the role of a performing and professional governance is ever increasing an encouragement was expressed to all the young specialist in the field to find jobs in the state institutions this being the only way “to prepare public administration today for the challenges of tomorrow”

Present at the ceremony Professor Emil Boc, Prime-Minister of the Romanian Government, “sharply” attacked the issues of public administration that he encountered since being in office. Mr Boc backed his speech with a few slides of charts and highlights about the effects of his cabinet policies aimed at guiding Romania through the “shallow waters” of the economic and financial crisis. Reminding the participants of the great experiences he encountered also in his academic career the Romanian Chief of Government wished the conference a fruitful accomplishment.

Read more on the Conference Newsletter and visit our pictures gallery

The team of our host, the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration (NSPSPA) headed by Prof. Dr. Lucica Matei, Chairwoman of the Local Organising Committee, and EGPA/IIAS staff have been hard at work to provide you with the best environment possible for this EGPA Conference.

But before the big event gets started tomorrow, 27 PhD’s selected by the team of co-chairs of Prof. Em Dr. Christoph Reichard, (Dr. Frank Bannister, Prof. Dr. Ani Matei and Dr. Patrick von Maravic) presented their papers in 3 different workshops where each student had a chance to present his/her own paper and then comment one of their peers.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to greet you at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest!

The Conference will provide the participants with a platform for discussion and to share their ideas and thoughts on the different topics of the EGPA Permanent Study Groups.   Prior to the Conference sessions, there will be a pre-conference symposium for the PhD students and young researchers.

During the Conference,  the debates will be organized around the various themes addressed by the 17 permanent study groups and a special French-Speaking seminar will focus on the theme: Sustainable Public Sector Reforms for Times of Crisis.  EGPA will also host the meetings of EAPAA (European Accreditation in Public Administration) before and during its Conference.

On behalf of EGPA,  I would like to stimulate your participation and I wish you a very successful EGPA annual Conference. The EGPA annual meeting is always a good opportunity for sharing our experiences; for exchanging new ideas; for confronting our visions  in facing new challenges for Public Administration and for meeting the members of our community of academics and practitioners.

I am sure that you will enjoy the atmosphere of the nice city of Bucharest, one of the historical cities of Romania.

Join us in Bucharest !

Professor Dr. Wim van de Donk

EGPA President

Welcome to Bucharest for the 33rd Annual Conference of the European Group for Public Administration of IIAS!

The city of Bucharest, the largest academic center of Romania, also embodies a rich administrative tradition, which has turned into account and valorises the directions and best practices of the important European schools in the field of public administration.

Born in the climate of freedom and democracy further the revolution in 1989, the young host university, National School of Political Studies and Public Administration (NSPSPA) in Bucharest ranks among the most recognised schools of public administration in Romania, strongly and actively anchored in the intense European and international debates on the development of public administration and management.

As the first South-Eastern European university hosting such a major event, NSPSPA is determined to make the conference in Bucharest a great success, together with the colleagues in EGPA team, in view to enhance the prestige of EGPA and IIAS in this part of Europe and to trigger a higher interest for active involvement in achieving the mission and objectives of our organizations.

The quality of co-organiser of EGPA Conference, accepted by the Chamber of Deputies in Romania, ensures the premises for a good delivery of the event and it demonstrates the interest of the Romanian public authorities in view to support and develop the activities within the framework of EGPA and IIAS.

Bucharest and Romania incorporate a rich history and culture, which combined with the Conference activities in an adequate programme, will provide to all participants the opportunity of a marvellous stay.

Dear friends, students and teaching staff in NSPSPA will surround you with joy, friendship and respect, as distinguished guests of our academic community.

Adding the same thoughts on behalf of our colleagues from EGPA, we look forward to seeing you in Bucharest.

Prof. Dr. Lucica MATEI

Chairwoman of the Organising Committee of the Annual Conference of EGPA – Bucharest, 2011