Executive and International Programs

International Capacity Building Programs

EIP reaches out to bring its Executive Programs abroad. Many of the international capacity building programs send Goldman School faculty and invited faculty from other departments to foreign agencies where they share their expertise in public management with foreign officials and public policy professionals. In other instances, visiting scholars, researchers or administrative officers come to UC Berkeley for a unique learning experience.

When working internationally, EIP partners with local universities or government agencies to ensure that the program addresses their respective needs. Since EIP customizes each program to our partner’s institutional interests, the topics and structure of each program varies considerably. The following are the most current executive training activities.

International Administrative Officers Program

The International Administrative Officers Program is geared for mid career public policy practitioners interested in a semester or year residency at the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP). Participants in our International Administrative Officers program have noted the exceptional value from interacting with students and professors at the School of Public Policy and UC Berkeley in general. Integration into the GSPP community provides formal and informal learning opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. International Administrative Officers audit one or two semesters of classes where they select from an abundant course listing in public policy and management, finance, economics and econometrics, environmental policy, housing policy, quantitative analysis, information policy and management, and leadership. Administrative officers interact with faculty and are assigned a sponsoring faculty member.

Below is an example of courses that an Administrative Officer could audit at the Goldman School of Public Policy.

Fall Semester

Decision Analysis, Modeling and Quantitative Methods
Program and Policy Design
Housing and Urban Economics
Legal and Political Analysis for Public Policy

Spring Semester

Public Sector Microeconomics
Cyberlife: Policy in the Internet Age
The Politics of Policy Advising
Advanced Policy Analysis Independent Study

Near the end of their stay, the Administrative Officers are assigned to a local public institution of their choice for a week-long tour of duty. In this immersion phase of the program, they are also assigned a mentor who introduces them to the agency and assures that they have a worthwhile experience. The skills and experiences learned during their residency are brought back with the administrative officers for improved public management in their home country.

Berkeley – Hong Kong Project

Last fall Executive and International Programs revived the Berkeley – Hong Kong Project by hosting one Administrative Officer. The Berkeley – Hong Kong Project, now as part of our new International Administrative Officers Program, offers foreign public officials with the opportunity to integrate into the GSPP community and perfect their skills in public policy, analysis and management through academic and informal interaction with professors and students.

Institutional Innovation Program:

Certificate Course in Strategic Management of Public Organizations

A collaboration with The Government of Mexico

This course introduces participants to key ideas in the “new public management.” Main themes include sensitivity to client needs, the development of management strategies, outsourcing of services, and tactics to maximize job effectiveness.

Renowned UC Berkeley professors also expose participants to cutting edge research in public policy. For example, one module discusses the role of government in the information age. Professors suggest how public officials can use information technologies to improve the efficiency of public organizations and their communication with the general public. Other modules include ethics, leadership, effective planning, program evaluation and methods for streamlining bureaucracy. The last module, on ethics, leadership and strategic management, will be held at the UC Berkeley campus.

In this collaboration with the Mexican government, UC Berkeley professors travel to Mexico City and Paris to present the certificate course on Strategic Management of Public Organizations to high-level Mexican officials.

For further information, see Berkeley Policy Notes Article.

U.S. – Mexico: Institutions and Public Policy Compared

A Partnership with the Colegio de México University

An increasingly close and intense relationship between U.S. and Mexico following North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has accentuated the importance of having well trained public officials in both countries. Clearly, improved U.S. – Mexican relations depend on future policymakers having a better understanding of their neighbor’s institutions, policies and politics.

As a collaborative effort with the prestigious Colegio de México University, this international capacity building program trains Mexican public servants in U.S. – Mexican affairs. The course first compares the legal, electoral and legislative institutions of the United States and Mexico. Then the course analyzes the different policy approaches of both countries regarding immigration, welfare, drug and environmental policy. As a truly collaborative program, professors from both universities present their understanding of each topic. The course concludes with a study of civil society, trade, financial institutions and U.S. national security policy.

Program Brochure - en Español (pdf)
Program Brochure - in English (pdf)
Colegio de México

International Development with Non-governmental Organizations

EIP executive programs have also been adopted to strengthen the institutional capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In the spring of 2000, EIP led a seminar with the Mexican chapter of Transparency International. The Mexican NGO was trained with mediation and facilitation skills and they were also briefed on current topics in ethics, accountability and public information laws.

Link: Transparency International

Press Release and Interview of a meeting between President Fox and representatives of Transparency Mexicana regarding the presentation of policy priorities for reducing corruption.

updated: 04/18/2008

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