Capacity Building in Government Communication Case of Slovenia

BledCom 2010
Nada Serajnik Sraka, Branko Vidrih, Matja Kek Government Communication Office

Capacity Building

is

an assistance in developing certain skills or competences for upgrading of performance ability.

or
the creation of an enabling environment with appropriate policy and legal frameworks, institutional development, human resources development and strengthening of managerial systems (UNDP)

Capacity Building Essential Elements

Legal and Institutional framework Infrastructure and organisation Management Co-operation Resources Professional development Benchmarks Culture

Capacity Building in Government Communication

Setting up communication function, infrastructure and procedures improving the effectiveness of government communication by all kinds of means to exchange knowledge and experience

Slovenia: National Profile

Slovenia independent since 1991 Constitutional democracy Coalition governments Government = body with executive power & public administration Number of ministries determined by law, but also by current political needs and goals The work of government is public

Slovenia: Milestones in government communication

Before 1991: no info units, except Ministry of the Interior central office since 1945 After 1991: Key principle learning by doing! key projects (independence struggle, big events, national branding & public diplomacy, EU & NATO accession campaigns, euro introduction campaign, communication in support to EU Council Presidency, . )

Slovenia: Government Capacity Building

Legal and Institutional framework Infrastructure and organisation Management Co-operation Resources Professional development Benchmarks

Slovenia: Government communication - where we stand?

2002 Not institutionised Understaffed, underfunded, undermanaged Political and professional roles undefined Communication rarely used as a policy instrument Lack of strategic planning Insufficient guidance & coordination Lack of standards & training

2010 Function institutionised (Organisational model) Still understaffed & underfunded Division of roles observed Strategic planning & Coordination loose Training sporadic Professionalism

Government Capacity Building

. not merely setting up communication

functions and developing knowledge and skills for more effective and efficient communication, but adopt a holistic approach and develop competences that ensure greater openness, transparency and accountability of governance, enable the support to develop government programmes, and contribute to enhancing political stability and democratic processes.