Barleti School of Public Affairs

Public service in all countries of the Western Balkans (WB) faces many challenges and weaknesses in regards to public workers’ performance and knowledge of effective public administration practices. The most important factor influencing the low administrative performance seems to be the lack of sufficiently educated or skilled persons for the job. A highly qualified public service work force is an important criterion for EU accession. One of the priorities set in the European Partnership emphasizes public administration, pointing at the establishment of a professional, accountable, accessible, representative public administration free from political interference. Some progress has been made on improving administrative laws and policies in the region, yet further work is needed in the areas of job performance, appraisal and evaluation, incentive schemes and career development for civil servants. Some important strides also have been made to professionalize government employees across the region, including the Regional School of Public Administration and the Training Institute of Public Administration; however, neither of these centers offers accredited degrees in Public Administration. Thus, Albanian Institute for Public Affairs and the University Marin Barleti seeks to establish the Barleti School of Public Affairs through a public-private partnership aiming to serve as a center of excellence that augments the training of existing institutions and offers international education, community-based programs, and research assistance. NEED STATEMENT

BARLETI SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Mission The mission of the Barleti School of Public Affairs is to enhance the performance of governmental, media and nonprofit institutions in the region in the interest of effective and equitable public service and public policy in a diverse society. Using insights from theory, research, and practice, we are a multidisciplinary community of scholars engaged in teaching, research, and outreach to achieve this mission. We place special emphasis on educating responsive and accountable leaders who combine managerial expertise, creative and critical thinking, and rigorous analysis in the formation and execution of public policy. The School also serves as a site for debate and reflection on issues of public importance to the Balkans and the world beyond.

BARLETI SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Values Integration of Theory, Research and Practice: We believe that educating a new generation of public service professionals requires instruction that emphasizes the interconnections among theory, research, and practice. Real world solutions to real world problems require understanding classical and modern theories of governance, publics, and organizational structures. It also requires knowing how to use these theories as bases for empirical research related to current issues of diverse societies, making recommendations to address these issues, and being able to lead efforts to improve government and organizational practices. Equity: We believe that public service professionals operating in today’s diverse societies must understand the importance of building and maintaining organizational structures and processes that allow for the voices of all citizens to be heard and the needs of all citizens to be addressed. Toward this end, the courses of study of BSPA emphasize both theories and practices of human rights, participatory democracy, and community advocacy. Accountability: We believe that effective public administration and governance requires consistent and systematic evaluation of structures, processes, and practices. Toward this end, the courses of study of BSPA incorporate instruction on various methods of assessment and evaluation relevant to governmental, nonprofit, and civil society organizations.

BARLETI SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Proposed Activities Development of state of the discipline traditional and Executive Masters programs * These programs will be developed through cooperative partnerships with other universities, training centers, and nongovernmental organizations. Establishment of Centers of Excellence that will offer management certificate programs for government and CSO administrators throughout the Balkan region * These centers will be established through collaborations with national and local government agencies. * Certificate programs will be developed and delivered through cooperative partnerships with other universities as well as government agencies. Creation of an Institute for Policy Research that will offer technical assistance in survey research, community dialogue, and conflict mediation to local governments and CSOs. * The IPR will rely on the expertise of faculty and graduate students to investigate current national and local issues and to offer technical assistance in setting policies that meet the needs of communities and citizens

BARLETI SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Proposed Activities Public Events, Round-Tables and Open Lecture Series. * These series of activities open to the wider public will be organized by the BSPA and run in cooperation with other public and private partner institutions and experts. The series of public events intends to bring the accumulated knowledge and expertise of a number of International and Albanian academics that work and live abroad to a wider professional audience in Albania. * These innovative public events will provide a platform of public forums for intellectual and professional discussion of contemporary and pressing political and socio-economic issues that affect the public at large. A significant enhancement of this series would be the fact that it intends to bring together academics, public administration and private sector experts in scientific debate.

ABOUT US Organizational Capacity Albanian Institute for Public Affairs and University Marin Barleti has already demonstrated organizational capacity for effective collaborations and partnerships through: Through the establishment of two well-know programs, The Jean Monnet Chair and the UNESCO Chair Host institution for PhD in social sciences offered through Clemson University’s Institute of Family and Neighborhood Life. Other collaborations with well established Universities and Networks on different joint projects and activities. Their member faculty include scholars and practitioners who can deliver quality instruction based on their expertise in political science, public administration, social sciences, economics, and law. AIPA and UMB can offer physical resources such as classroom space and equipment, internet capabilities, printing services, and administrative support staff.