The National Center for Public Administration (EKDDA) is the national strategic Organization for the development of  the human resources of Hellenic Public Administration and Local Government. EKDDA was established in 1983 and is a Legal Entity under public law, supervised by the Minister of the Interior.

The vision of EKDDA is to contribute to the development of an effective administration by ensuring high quality services for citizens. Its mission is the continuous upgrading of the human resources of the Greek Public Administration through lifelong education and certified training for a more reliable and effective State that serves the interests of the citizen. It is also about the modernization of the Greek public sector and its agencies through research, documentation and innovation. We believe that the most valuable asset of Public Administration is its human resources. The civil servants who are to be seen as the ambassadors of the public service core values: respect of human dignity, transparency, accountability, knowledge, innovation and public interest service.

The National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA) is honoured to host the Annual Conference of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), taking place from 12 to 16 October 2026, under the theme “Rethinking Governance for a Changing World.”

At a time when societies across the globe are undergoing profound transformation, the need to rethink governance has never been more pressing. This conference offers a timely platform for meaningful dialogue on how public institutions can adapt and respond effectively to emerging challenges, while upholding the principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.

Bringing together distinguished scholars, practitioners, and public sector leaders from around the world, this international gathering fosters the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices. It offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of public administration and to explore new approaches that strengthen institutional capacity and enhance public value. We look forward to inspiring exchanges that will help advance this shared agenda, and we are honoured to welcome your contribution to this dialogue.

In this context, EKDDA plays a central role as the leading institution for the training, education, and professional development of public servants in Greece. Through its work, EKDDA contributes to strengthening administrative capacity, promoting innovation in governance, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the public sector. Its active engagement in international networks further supports the exchange of knowledge and the advancement of good governance practices.

Athens, a city deeply rooted in history and widely recognised as the birthplace of democracy, offers a particularly symbolic setting for these discussions. For centuries, it has been a place where ideas and civic participation have shaped public life. Today, as a modern European capital, Athens continues to engage in contemporary challenges while drawing inspiration from its enduring democratic heritage.

We hope that this setting will inspire thoughtful discussions and fruitful collaboration among participants, contributing to forward-looking perspectives on governance in a rapidly changing world.

Athens and Greece warmly welcome you and extend our sincere wishes for a productive and inspiring conference. May your time here be marked by meaningful exchange and intellectual enrichment, and above all by the spirit of dialogue and openness that defines this city.

Distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

It is truly a pleasure to welcome you to Greece for IASIA Conference 2026. As Rapporteur, I feel both honored and deeply grateful to be part of this gathering of minds committed to strengthening governance across the world.

We meet in a place where dialogue and democratic thought were first given structured form. This setting reminds us that governance has never been static. It has always evolved—shaped by ideas, by experience, and by the determination of people willing to rethink established approaches in light of new realities.

Today, those realities are changing rapidly. Digital transformation, complex policy challenges, new forms of collaboration, and rising expectations from citizens are reshaping the way institutions operate. In such an environment, rethinking governance is not optional—it is essential.

But rethinking governance is not only about structures or technologies. It is about people. It is about the competencies we cultivate, the values we uphold, the leadership we demonstrate, and the way we prepare the next generation of public servants. It is about ensuring that governance remains adaptive, ethical, inclusive, and forward-looking.

As Rapporteur, my commitment is to listen carefully to your insights, to capture faithfully the richness of our discussions, and to synthesize the ideas that emerge from this collective effort. I see this role not simply as documenting proceedings, but as helping to weave together the intellectual threads that will guide future dialogue and action.

This conference is an opportunity—an opportunity to question assumptions, to share experiences, to learn across borders, and to imagine governance systems that are more responsive and resilient. Each of you brings valuable knowledge and perspective. Together, we can move beyond analysis toward constructive proposals and meaningful collaboration.

Let us engage openly. Let us challenge thoughtfully. Let us inspire one another.

May our conversations over the coming days strengthen our shared commitment to governance that serves societies with integrity, competence, and vision.

Welcome to Greece.
 Welcome to IASIA 2026.
 Let us rethink governance—together.

Thank you.

Esteemed colleagues,

The community spirit of IASIA is more important than ever as we gather in Athens for the 2026 conference, under the theme "Rethinking Governance for a Changing World." As the concept note highlights, governance systems globally are undergoing profound transformation, driven by rapid digitalization, climate imperatives, and rising public expectations. We cannot either ignore the conflict raging next door to Greece. By the time this conference will take place, the world could have changed significantly, hopefully for the better, though it is doubtful.  This conference invites us to fundamentally re-examine how governance structures, professional practices, and crucially, our education systems must evolve.

This year, we have come to Greece, a nation historically associated with the foundations of democratic governance. Situating our conference here provides a powerful symbolic resonance. It bridges the historical roots of our field with the contemporary governance renewal that our theme demands. The conference offers a forum to explore how governance systems can become more adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready. I am confident the premises here will provide a promising backdrop for a great and successful conference.

Beyond the conference itself, being in Greece is a vital opportunity to strengthen our strategic partnerships in the region. We are committed to deepening our ties with key institutions in Greece and the regional MENAPAR group. It is my intention during this conference to hold discussions on concrete joint activities, fostering the closer collaboration that is essential for tackling the complex, cross-sectoral challenges outlined in our conference framework, from managing digital transformation to ensuring social inclusion.

In conclusion, I would like to restate my happiness at being back in Greece, a country that so aptly symbolizes the enduring yet evolving nature of governance. I thank our hosts and all those who are contributing to bringing this project to success. Let us use this opportunity to critically reflect, build partnerships, and reaffirm that governance is not static, it is a living system that must continuously evolve to meet the changing needs of societies worldwide.

Registration Terms and Conditions

1. The registration of participation is binding.
2. If you cancel your registration, you will receive an 80% refund if the cancellation is made no later than 30 days before the start of the event. After this deadline, the financial responsibilities of the participants remain fully effective.
3. The registration fee covers participation in the conference and all official social events.
4. The participation fees are owed upon registration and must be paid within seven (7) days following submission of the registration, but no later than seven (7) days before the start of the event.
5. Participation is not guaranteed until full payment of the registration fee has been received.
6. The conference program is subject to change.
7. If the organizer cancels the event, all payments will be refunded. In such cases, the organizer shall have no further liability to the participant. If the event is postponed, registrations will remain valid.
8. All participants consent to the audio, video, and photographic recording of conference sessions. These materials are the intellectual property of IIAS and may be used for promotional and marketing purposes.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Create an account here:
https://www.conftool.org/iasia-conference-2026

• Go to “Your submissions” and select a working group/ track.

• Follow the specific instructions given in the Calls.

• If prompted, add an attachment.