The International Institute of Administrative Sciences is a learned society in public administration established in 1930 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It federates ministries, schools of government, national associations, and ministries. It organizes events, publishes scientific material, provides quality assurance services for education, and fulfils advocacy function. 

The conference program will be continuously updated. 

Voruganti Srinivas, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Republic of India

Hideaki Shiroyama, University of Tokyo

Lichia Saner-Yiu, Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development

Surendra Nash Tripathi, Indian Institute of Public Administration

C.K. Mathew, Azim Premji University

Paul Joyce, University of Birmingham

Registrations are open!

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Dear Participants, Distinguished Guests, and Esteemed Colleagues,

Onbehalf of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), it ismy great pleasure to welcome you to the IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025. Thissignificant event will take place in the vibrant city of New Delhi, India.

Ourtheme, "NextGeneration Administrative Reforms: Empowering Citizens and Reaching
the Last Mile," reflectsour commitment to advancing administrative practices that directly benefit ourcommon denominator, our citizens. As we navigate the complexities of governance,we recognize the pivotal role that innovative reforms play in shaping abrighter future for all.

Throughoutthis conference, we will engage in thought-provoking discussions, share good practices,and explore transformative solutions. Together, we aim to empower citizens by bridginggaps, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Inan era of rapid technological disruption and rising citizen expectations, howcan we reinvent public administration to better serve the needs of our diversepopulations? This is the challenge we have gathered to tackle at the IIAS-DARPGIndia Conference.

Aroundthe world, governments are grappling with complex, interconnected issues – fromclimate change and income inequality to digital transformation and democraticbacksliding. In this climate of uncertainty, public servants must cultivate newskills, adopt agile mindsets, and forge bold, innovative solutions. 

Yet,the work does not stop there. We must ensure that the fruits of administrativereform reach the most marginalized communities - empowering citizens, improvingservice delivery, and bridging the digital divide. By harnessing the power oftechnology and grassroots partnerships, we can make the promise of goodgovernance a reality for all. 

Thisconference represents a unique opportunity to learn from global practitionersand scholars, share cutting-edge research, and forge internationalcollaborations. Together, we will chart a course towards a more efficient,equitable, and responsive public sector - one that truly puts people at theheart of policymaking.

Iencourage you to actively participate, exchange ideas, and contribute to therich tapestry of knowledge that will emerge from our collective efforts. Let usforge new partnerships, challenge conventional wisdom, and chart a coursetoward administrative excellence.

Once again, welcome to the IIAS-DARPG India Conference2025. Let us embark on this
journey together, as we strive to create administrative systems that trulyserve the needs of our citizens.

Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Distinguished Guests, and Friends,

It is with great honor and anticipation that I welcome you to the 2025 Annual Conference of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), co-organized with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) of India. This year’s conference is a significant gathering, not only because it brings us together in the globally central, historic and culturally rich city of New Delhi, in itself a built manifestation of different layers of administrative practice across the centuries, but also because it addresses the pressing theme of “Next Generation Administrative Reforms – Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile.”

As we convene at the Bharat Mandapam from 10 to 14 February 2025, we are presented with the unique opportunity to engage with both the challenges and opportunities that define the current and future landscape of Public Administration. The focus of our discussions will be on how to effectively empower citizens and ensure that public services reach every individual, no matter how remote or marginalized.

India, with its vast and diverse population, serves as an ideal setting for this conference. The country is at the forefront of many of the global challenges we seek to address, from digital transformation and public sector capacity building to regional policy contexts and the balancing of rapid modernization with deeply rooted cultural and social traditions. As we explore these issues, we must also consider global implications, drawing on experiences and innovations from around the world.

Our theme, “Next Generation Administrative Reforms,” invites us to look critically at how emerging digital technologies appear to reshape the way governments operate and interact with their citizens – or better, how citizens interact with their governments. These technologies have pros and also cons that are still not sufficiently understood, let alone conceptualized, particularly in terms of ensuring equity and inclusion. As civil servants and scholars, it is our responsibility to ensure that any technological advancements do not exacerbate existing inequalities, but rather contribute to a more just and equitable society.

The challenges we face are multifaceted. The digitization of government services, while promising and in many cases already delivering, requires significant investments in infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. Moreover, the question of organizational capacities within the public sector needed for this is crucial but still strongly debated among experts. Does digital governance (help) create administrative capacity – or doesn’t the former really require the latter to begin with?

But this conference is not only about discussing challenges; it is about finding solutions. The plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops will be carefully curated to encourage deep, thoughtful dialogue and collaboration. We are fortunate at IIAS to always welcome a diverse group of participants, representing different regions, sectors, and disciplines, all united by a shared commitment to advancing public administration in the service of all citizens.

In conclusion, while the focus of many of our discussions will be on administrative reforms in India – a must-know topic for Public Administration scholars everywhere –, the insights that, it is to be hoped, will emerge from this conference will have far-reaching implications. The work we do here together will potentially help shape the future of public administration worldwide, ensuring that it is more responsive, more inclusive, and more capable of meeting the needs of the 21st century.

I eagerly look forward to the insights and collaborations that will emerge from this gathering, and I am confident that our collective efforts will contribute to meaningful advancements in our field. Welcome to New Delhi!