UN Public Administration Network (UNPAN) Online Training Centre’s new improved face, which was launched on 1 November 2010, has been positively received by its learners

The 7 interactive courses available were upgraded with an improved assessment and certification engine and three new courses were launched – one in English and two in Spanish. The courses, which are free of charge, cover various topics on electronic and mobile government, institution and human resources management in public administration, knowledge management in government and millennium development goals.

Already 67 users enrolled in the courses in less than four weeks and more than 80 per cent of these learners completed the courses. One of the learners, Mr. Abbas S. Kudrati, Head of E-Government Authority of Bahrain, praised the new platform and courses by stating that “these are amazing and eye openers”. Another learner, from the Economics and Finance Department of the Catalonia Regional Government of Spain, informed DESA that his institution has agreed to include UNPAN courses in the annual training record of staff.

A new course on “Introduction to Citizen Engagement in Public Governance for the Realization of the Millennium Development Goals” provides an overview of the ideas, issues, tools and examples of practices and methodologies of participatory public governance that can be effective in fostering the achievement of the MDGs. The objective of the training course is to enhance knowledge and capacities, and to motivate for action. It is addressed to practitioners, including community leaders, responsible for the formulation and implementation of development policies and programmes, as well as scholars and students of public administration.

The new training course is integrated by eight modules: Awareness of Development Needs and the MDGs; Awareness of Citizen Engagement to Promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment; Public Governance for MDGs Achievement; Citizen Engagement Fundamentals; Framework of Participation; Role of Intergovernmental Organizations, Government and Civil Society; Modalities and Practices of Participation; and e-Participation. The course will be launched to the public in early January on the UNPAN online training platform.

More information: http://www.unpan.org/elearning