Global Economic Policy Institute
Regent Campus
University of Westminster
309 Regent Street, Rm. 508
London W1B 2UW, UK
Tel + 44 20 7911 5000 Extns. 2196 & 2011
Direct tel. + 44 20 7255 2558

Press release

For Immediate Release

‘Good governance begins at the top’ underpins
new international government leadership course.

LONDON, ENGLAND, December 3rd 2003. The Global Economic Policy Institute at the University of Westminster announces the launch of the world’s first international ‘how to reform a government’ course for senior figures.

The one-year course – MA Economic and Governmental Reform - is a unique Masters programme designed to prepare senior civil servants and rising political figures for leadership roles in government. The course includes a forensic examination of why reforms go well or go badly, and examines closely the conflicts that often arise between different types of economic & governmental reform, and within different types of government structures.

The programme design is based on extensive worldwide research among government leaders and international financial institutions. Course modules include security & military reform, macroeconomics, political & legal system reform and international law, for example. A central module concerns public administration and finance reforms, with a particular focus on the administration of health and education policy.

A fundamental assumption behind the course is that much international military conflict and most incidences of mass poverty can be prevented by more effective governance. An associated assumption is that the conduct of government at the top of policymaking is vital in this endeavour – ‘good governance begins at the top’.

Course Director Paul Reynolds, said;

‘Many of the severe problems of the world – famine, repression and military conflict – arise from a lack of technical ability or adequate organisation at the top of government, the results from which can lead to diversionary security measures or a descent into economic chaos and corruption. Improving governance and democracy in the centres of power around the world can have a major positive impact on world peace and poverty reduction’.

Ends.

For further information contact:
Paul E M Reynolds
Director
Mobile/cellular + 44 7974 188087
Direct office landline + 44 20 7255 2558
Out-of-hours
+ 44 20 8741 1166 or + 44 20 8748 6788
E mails
Direct [email protected]
University [email protected]