Review article

Administrative Personnel Education: Experience and Challenges

Ivan Koprić ; Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Gordana Marčetić ; Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Administrative reforms, prompted by changes of value orientations in society and the public sphere, can be carried out only by well educated and professionally trained personnel.
Changes in the type, system and method of education in public administration are among the most important preconditions for successful reforms. Comparative experience with education for public administration shows complex systems of education and training of public servants due to different historical, social, political and other characteristics of particular countries. Experience with public administration education in Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands as well as in countries in transition (Hungary, Poland, the Baltic States and Slovenia) is presented. The role of some international organizations in the promotion of education for public administration is also described. The situation in Croatian public administration since 1990 has been marked by frequent reorganizations with the emphasis on politicai criteria, neglecting professional administrative standards. The process of decentralization which started at the end of 2000 should stimulate the creation of a long-term strategy of the development of public administration and the state as well as the initiation of fundamental administrative reforms in Croatia. In order to carry out reforms successfully, it is necessary to insist on strengthening of professional standards in the performance of administrative personnel at all levels, from local to central. This is possible to accomplish only by developing a complete system of education, re-education and further professional training of public servants. It is proposed to establish a new university study in public administration at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb and basic outlines of its program are given. Comments on thE idea of the reformed legal study as an alternative to such administrative study are also made.

Keywords

education in public administration; Croatian public administration; administrative reforms; values in public administration; professionalism of administrative personnel; cameralism; new public management

Hrčak ID:

197677

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/197677

Publication date:

8.11.2002.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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