Prof. Jean-Michel Eymeri-Douzans, President of the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA), attended the 32nd Annual Conference of the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee) held at Caucasus University, Tbilisi, Georgia, from May 22-25, 2024. This year’s conference focused on the theme: “Public Administration in Post-Conflict Reconstruction.”

During the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Eymeri-Douzans highlighted the strong relationship between NISPAcee and EGPA, describing them as sister organizations with a shared mission. Both entities strive to advance the field of Public Administration, understood as both an interdisciplinary academic discipline and a professional practice. He emphasized their common goal of improving public administration through cross-border research and collaboration.

Prof. Eymeri-Douzans praised NISPAcee President, Prof. Eka Akobia, for successfully bringing together approximately 200 participants from over 20 countries to discuss such a critical topic. He noted that the focus of this year’s NISPAcee conference, “Public Administration in Post-Conflict Reconstruction,” is particularly relevant to many countries in the Central and Eastern European region. This theme underscores the importance of coordinated efforts from various stakeholders in state-building, re-building, and the promotion of democracy.

Prof. Eymeri-Douzans also took the opportunity to preview the upcoming 46th EGPA Annual Conference, scheduled for September 2024 in Athens, Greece. He revealed that the conference will center on “Strengthening Democratic Governance for Better Public Policies and Services,” aligning with the current discussions at NISPAcee. He reiterated that both EGPA and NISPAcee are committed to the protection and reinforcement of democratic governance, policymaking, and public service provision across Europe.

In his remarks, Prof. Eymeri-Douzans underscored the vital role of both organizations in addressing contemporary challenges in public administration and governance. He expressed his confidence that the collaborative efforts of EGPA and NISPAcee will continue to contribute significantly to the advancement of democratic governance and effective public administration.

The EGPA President extended his heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Akobia and her team for organizing a successful and impactful conference, reinforcing the enduring partnership between EGPA and NISPAcee.

For more information about the upcoming EGPA Annual Conference, please visit the EGPA website.