PURPOSE
In countries around the world, people are struggling to find better ways to manage public services and local development. Policy makers promote decentralization of government, but implementation rarely lives up to expectations. Local government officials attempt to improve the delivery of services, but are often constrained by inadequate resources. Citizens seek greater participation in decision making, but find themselves thwarted by entrenched political and institutional interests.
With these issues in mind, the Institute for Planning and Development Practitioners for the year 2002 will be devoted to the theme of Innovations in Capacity Building for Managing and Financing Local Services for Development. The two-week course will be held 10 through 21 June 2002 at the USC campus in Los Angeles. As with our earlier Institutes, the purpose is to provide a forum for planning and development practitioners to share experience and learn about new ideas under the guidance of prominent experts in the field. The aim is to enhance the knowledge and skills of participants and enable them to return home equipped with renewed enthusiasm and fresh ideas for planning and managing local development.
PARTICIPANTS
The Institute is designed primarily for senior officials and elected representatives from central and local governments, program officers and project managers from development agencies and consulting firms around the world, technical assistance personnel from NGOs, and community leaders engaged in local development initiatives. Participants should have a university degree, at least five years of professional experience and be sponsored by their employer or other appropriate organizations.
INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
The Institute has two main components: a series of inputs provided by recognized experts, and a series of outputs produced by participants. Inputs include lectures to introduce key themes, and case studies from around the world illustrating innovative approaches to managing and financing local development. In addition, participants will visit local organizations in the Los Angeles area and spend two days meeting with government officials and community leaders in Tijuana, Mexico. Outputs include participant presentations, group consultations, and short memoranda summarizing new ideas and initiatives which each participant plans to pursue on returning home.
HOST INSTITUTION
The Practitioners Institute is organized by the School of Policy, Planning and Development (SPPD) at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles under the direction of Dean Daniel A. Mazmanian. The Directors of the Institute are Dr. Hugh Evans, and Dr. Koichi Mera. Both SPPD and USC are strongly committed to strengthening links between the School and the University and the international community. USC has one of the largest bodies of international students in the United States, and SPPD faculty includes people with extensive international experience in less developed countries. USC is located in the heart of the city of Los Angeles. Perhaps more than any other city in the United States, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles exhibits greater similarities to the growth patterns observed in major cities in the developing world, and faces serious challenges in adapting to changing global trends and accommodating large numbers of immigrants from countries around the world. Yet, there are to be found here many innovative approaches to local development that are of interest to visitors from abroad.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAM FOR 2002 INSTITUTE
1. Shifting Center-Local Relations by Professor Paul Smoke, NYU
Political and fiscal relationships between local and central government; resources of central and local governments; alternative mechanisms for revenue sharing and fiscal transfers; case studies from Africa and Asia.
2. Resource Mobilization at the Local Level by Professor Paul Smoke, NYU
The pros and cons of alternative sources of local government revenues, including user charges for services, property taxes, fees and licenses; methods of billing and collection; scope for reducing leakage and raising efficiency.
3. Good Governance and Community Participation by Professor Hugh Evans, USC
Community participation as an essential ingredient for successful local governance and more effective delivery of services; a field trip and detailed investigation of recent innovations by Tijuana municipality to enhance the role of communities in planning, decision-making and implementation of local services.
4. Implementing Policies for Decentralisation by Dr. Allison Rowland, Mexico City
Problems and pitfalls, typical constraints, and lessons learned. With case studies from Mexico and Bolivia.
5. Capacity Building at the Local Level by Professor Koichi Mera and Professor Hugh Evans USC
Alternative training methods; hierarchical training needs; long vs. short term training; class room training vs. at the job training; illustrations with case studies from Indonesia and other countries.
6. Borrowing for Infrastructure Development by Professor Koichi Mera USC
Alternative sources of fund for infrastructure investment; availability of private capital; municipal development fund; credit worthiness of local governments, keys to successful borrowing.
7. Expanding Role of the Private Sector in Service Provisions by Penelope J. Brook, World Bank
Factors to consider when using private firms to deliver public services; options for privatizing aspects of service delivery, including sub-contracts for billing and revenue collection, management of facilities, leasing and Build-Operate-and-Transfer (BOT) schemes; illustrated with case studies.
8. Charging Appropriate Prices for Services by Penelope J. Brook, World Bank
Appropriate pricing of local government services to ensure adequate resources for effective operation and maintenance and longer term sustainability; arguments and implications for full cost-recovery, marginal cost pricing and cross-subsidies, illustrated with case studies.
* This program is confirmed in October 2001. However, depending on any emergency, this program can be changed.
FEE AND EXPENSES
Fees for the two-week Institute are $4,500 per participant, which includes the cost of the trip to Tijuana. Meals and accommodation in the Los Angeles area cost in the range of $100 - $200 per day. Participants have the choice of double occupancy or single occupancy in Radisson Hotel Midtown Los Angeles near USC.
If you need special arrangements or USC Dormitory option, please let us know. All accommodation including Radisson Hotel should be paid participants themselves. Due to limited special rate rooms available, you need to apply rooms and special arrangements as soon as possible.
* Special Discount Available until 29 March 2002
The course fees for participants or their sponsors who send in their application and payment in full before 29 March 2002 are only $ 4,000. To claim this discount, we must receive your application and payment of $ 4,000 before close of business on Friday, 29 March 2002. Thereafter, fees revert to the regular price of $ 4,500.
* Payment Method
Check or Money Order
Please make payable to:
Practitioners Institute 2002, University of Southern California
Mail to
Hyunsun Choi, Practitioners Institute 2002
Von KleinSmid Center 376
School of Policy, Planning and Development
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0041, USA
Wire transaction
All wire transfers sent to the following
ABR RT#: 121000358
Bank Name: Bank of America, Attn: Los Angeles Main Branch
Account Number to credit: 14593-18994
Name: USC Wire Account
Reference: (Student's Name)
Practitioners Institute, Jean Nguyen (213)740-7102, SPPD
REQUIREMENTS
To join the two-day field trip to Tijuana, Mexico, participants should obtain a multiple entry US visa. Participants are also invited to make a presentation on policies, programs, or projects with which they are involved. For this purpose, participants should bring with them suitable reports and documents.
Click here for Application
