2nd Annual Research Colloquium

1
2nd Annual Research Colloquium

• Shaping the Public Service Research Agenda in the
  2nd Decade of Democracy
• 14 March 2007

2
Overview

• Research in the Public Service
• Mid-term Review
• Research priorities for the remaining term
• Modalities for Public Service research

3
Research in the Public Service

• Launch of the first Research Colloquium
• A systematic search for knowledge
• It happens in diverse ways using combinations of
  orthodox and unconventional techniques
• Key characteristic is that it is purposeful (and
  not for its own sake).
• Often theoretically weak, lacks rigour in its
  choice and use of methods and inconsistent in
  terms of quality.
• Methods could include protocols for testing
  innovations, making use of peer reviews, using
  standard proposal and report formats and ensuring
  sources are acknowledged

4
Research in the Public Service

• Launch of the first Research Colloquium
• separate activity divorced from programme
  management.
• It is mostly driven by short term priorities and
  conceptualised without theoretical foundations.
• Much public service research gets outsourced to
  service providers without building internal
  capacity to lead or even participate.
• Most worrying is that research findings are often
  not disseminated and thus inaccessible.

5
Research in the Public Service

• Launch of the first Research Colloquium
• Research strategy proposed based on an open
  framework without barriers to entry and based on
  cooperative partnerships.
• Use existing bodies and make creative use of ICT.
• Develop an awareness of (relevant) methodological
  options and choices.
• Encourage methodological triangulation wherever
  possible.
• Encourage streamlined and integrated research.
• Improve the methodological practices through
  recording experiences so that good practices can
  be identified and promoted.
• Forums like these are knowledge Management
  practice in practice and are essential for
  excellence.

6
Research in the Public Service

• Since then
• Investigating revolving door partnerships
  Sabbaticals
• High level engagement through MPSA, CAPAM
• Cabinet has since emphasised the need for peer
  review as an approach to improving Public Service
  performance

7
Shaping the research agenda Mid-Term Review

• Jan 07 Lekgotla Mid-term review
• Guided by 2014 vision
• Guided by the Reconstruction and Development
  Programme (RDP), our vision is to build a society
  that is truly united, non-racial, non-sexist and
  democratic. Central to this is a single and
  integrated economy that benefits all.

8
Shaping the research agenda MTR

• Jan 07 Lekgotla Mid-term review
• (used in TYR) to reflect changes in quality of
  life
• Reduce unemployment and poverty by half
• Provide skills required by the economy
• Ensure that all South Africans are able to enjoy
  the dignity of freedom
• Compassionate government service to the people
• Massively reduce cases of TB, diabetes,
  malnutrition, maternal deaths, turn the tide
  against HIV and Aids, and strive to eliminate
  malaria
• Significantly reduce the number of serious and
  priority crimes and cases awaiting trial
• Positioning SA as an effective force in global
  relations
• Intensified action required in context of AsgiSA,
  Macrosocial Strategy and PoA
• Need to speed up policy processes and policy
  actions for decisive delivery

9
Shaping the research agenda Social progress
grant access
NT database
10
Shaping the research agenda Social progress
main health indicators
11
Shaping the research agenda Governance Audit
compliance
AG annual reports
Increasing standards in auditing requirements
leads to higher number of national departments
receiving qualifications. Municipal audit results
are improving.
12
Shaping the research agenda International
relations
South Africa has increasingly become significant
actor and troop-contributor in peace keeping
processes on the continent

• Member of African Union Peace Security Council
• Contributed troops to peace keeping missions and
  mediation (Burundi, the DRC, Sudan,
  Ethiopia-Eritrea, Comoros, Cote d Ivoire)
• Involved in post-conflict reconstruction and
  development processes (Burundi, DRC Sudan)
  capacity-building, financial, administrative
  technical assistance
• SA elected without dissention as member of UN
  Security Council (reflection of confidence of the
  world in SAs ability to deal with major issues
  facing humanity)

13
Shaping the research agenda

• What then are the research questions?
• Change in class structure
• Limited capacity of the economy
• Mobilisation of private and other sectors
• Articulation of Fiscal and monitoring objectives
• EPWP massification (Khukhulela ngoqo), especially
  in Social Sector
• Lowering cost of business (e.g. telecoms)
• Comprehensive social security, social cohesion,
  integrated anti-poverty strategy (SoNA),
  mortality trends
• Reforming the judiciary
• Gender, youth and civic activism
• International context, especially Post-conflict
  resolution

14
Some research modalities

• Finalisation of revolving door policy framework
  July 07
• Continue with assessment of capacity
• Do we need a custodian of government research?
• Sectoral?
• Science Technology (DST?)
• Social (DAC / DoE / DSocDev?)
• Governance (DPSA / SAMDI?)
• Life sciences (DoHealth)
• Agricultural (DoA)
• Provinces and local government
• Access to research reports and primary data
• Good practice of PS research
• Triangulation
• Ethical code
• Stakeholder engagement