Full Version (40Kb < 1min)

Background:

Capacity deficits in public sector employees in African countries are frequently cited as one of the key constraints in respect of implementing a strong development agenda for Africa. Attention is now turning to the MDIs as vehicles for addressing such capacity constraints. However, we know that MDIs themselves are experiencing their own constraints. These can be attributed to a complex mix of factors such as funding models; physical infrastructure; human resource limitations; dwindling intellectual culture and policy influence of MDIs; etc. etc.

AMDIN was created by African MDIs themselves in 2005 in order to strengthen their own capacities through processes of collaboration and resource sharing, and is being recognized as “the capacity developer of capacity developers” by, amongst others, the All Africa Conference of Ministers for Public/Civil Service.

One of the most critical approaches to our capacity development efforts are peer learning and knowledge exchange between our MDIs and other critical stakeholders.

In fulfilling AMDIN’s role and facilitating capacity development for MDIs themselves, the partnership of AMDIN, ENA, Senegal and the UNDP are embarking on this very important process of organizing three regional workshops this year with the following aims in mind:

• Developing an improved understanding of the operational and policy environments of the MDIs in the respective sub-regions
• Assessing the capacity development needs of MDIs in the sub-region and determine their expectations of AMDIN
• Providing a platform for knowledge exchange and peer learning
• Mobilising MDIs in the sub-region for internal change management processes and addressing policy issues that constrains operational environments through a process of advocacy and lobbying
• Improving knowledge of MDIs of the existing and planned work/ products/ processes of AMDIN and secure buy-in/cooperation from MDIs for future participation in the activities of AMDIN
• Strengthening relations between MDIs in the sub-region
• Improving AMDIN’s Dbases regarding regional experts and exising knowledge resources, e.g. curricula, teaching case studies, etc.