The programme offers a platform for policy dialogue and sharing best practices
The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in Mussoorie has inaugurated the 5th Capacity Building Program on Public Policy and Governance for senior civil servants from the Kingdom of Cambodia. This two-week program, running from June 24 to July 5, 2024, is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India. Forty senior officers from Cambodia's Ministry of Civil Services and Ministry of Senate are participating in this initiative, which aims to foster policy dialogue and share best practices in governance.

The inaugural session was chaired by V Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reform and Public Grievances (DARPG) in the Government of India. In his address, Srinivas emphasised the transformative role of technology in governance. He highlighted India's policy of “Minimum Government and Maximum Governance,” which leverages technology to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. Srinivas cited the example of CPGRAMS, India’s AI-driven public grievance redressal portal, as a model of effective digital governance.

Mam Phoeuk, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Civil Services and head of the Cambodian delegation expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government for this opportunity. He underscored that the program would not only build capacity but also strengthen bilateral ties between India and Cambodia.

Programme Overview

Dr. B.S. Bisht, Associate Professor at NCGG and Course Coordinator, provided an in-depth overview of the NCGG’s objectives, activities, achievements, future. He detailed how the NCGG has evolved into a centre of excellence in governance training. The first week of the program focuses on a wide array of topics, including:

* Public Policy and Management
* GeM: Bringing Transparency in Government Procurement
* The Indian Constitutional Scheme
* India-Cambodia Relations
* Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure
* Aadhaar as a Tool for Good Governance
* Health Governance
* Impact of Parliamentary Devices on Governance
* Best Practices from Various Development Schemes
* Approaches to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2023
* Viksit Bharat: Policies and Developments in Industry and Infrastructure
* Financial Inclusion
* The Changing Paradigm of Governance
* Leadership and Communication
* Urban Governance and Sustainable Cities
* Civil Services in India
* Doorstep Delivery of Services
* E-Governance and Digital Public Service Delivery
* Gender Development
* Ethics in Administration

The second phase of the program includes field visits to significant projects and institutions such as Smart City Project and ITDA in Dehradun
District Administration in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
Union Public Service Commission, and the Indian Parliament.

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore India's rich history and culture through visits to the Prime Ministers' Museum (PM Sangrahalaya), Buddha Temple, and the iconic Taj Mahal.

The NCGG has a strong track record of training civil servants from 17 countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Seychelles, Gambia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Cambodia. This program continues that legacy, fostering international cooperation and the exchange of best practices in governance.

The programme is designed to provide Cambodian civil servants with valuable insights into institutional transformation and citizen engagement, equipping them with the tools needed to implement effective governance strategies in their home country. This initiative not only enhances the skills of the participants but also strengthens the bilateral relationship between India and Cambodia, paving the way for future collaborations in governance and public administration.

As the 5th Capacity Building Program unfolds, it is expected to create a lasting impact on the participating civil servants, fostering a deeper understanding of effective governance practices and contributing to the ongoing development of public policy frameworks in Cambodia.