Italian P.A. and Vietnam: The Meeting in Rome

Consolidating cooperation between Italy and Vietnam to create high-quality Public Administration, to lay the basis for offering assistance to Vietnamese Public Administration as well as to support economic development in Asiatic countries were the objectives of the meeting held in Rome at the central seat of Forme zon 26th September. The meeting was the result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2007 by Formez and the Vietnamese National Academy of Public Administration to foster further relationships of exchange, scientific cooperation and development. The collaboration has been implemented through the organization of annual scientific meetings both in Italy and Vietnam, through the discussion of public issues, key problems and related results as well as the implementation of study visits and seminars on shared topics.

At the meeting, the President of Formez, Mr Carlo Flamment, the Assistant Manager, Mr Carlo Conte and the Head of International Relations, Mr Giulio Artegiani were present.  Representing the Department of Public Administration were the diplomatic Councillor of the Minister, Mr Gianluigi Benedetti and the Director for International Affairs, Mr Stefano Pizzicannella while the Vietnamese delegation was headed by the Vice Minister – Ministry of Home Affairs (MOMA) Mr Tran Hun Thang who the day before had met with the Minister of Public Administration, Mr Luigi Nicolais.
President Flamment answered to the many questions from the Vietnamese delegation and outlined the activities carried out by 20 thematic communities related to Formez which provide support to the administrations on various subjects (from environment to economic development) thus fuelling the portal with interesting and detailed material which renders the Formez website one of the most consulted information sources for Italian and international administrations.
What mostly impressed the Vietnamese delegation was the development of best practices realized by Formez, the most relevant of which have been included in the databank for dissemination in other administrations. An exemplary case is given by the One-Stop-Shop for Production Activities (SUAP).
Flamment also outlined the difference between the role of CNIPA and Formez. CNIPA designs models and technological structures, while Formez applies e-government at regional level and provides assistance to the staff in the utilization of the new models.
What are the sectors that Formez has developed most? Above all, the definition of the objectives of governance and the subsequent phase of monitoring and evaluation; social evaluation to assess the impact of administrative activities on the public as well as support to local development which moves in 3 directions: institutional innovation, accountability, and the efficient planning of local government to optimize resources and ensure efficient local public services.
With regard to Public Administration, Flamment identified 3 strengths: decentralization carried out through the high quality of municipal administration; technological innovation; and the funding to be allocated in degraded areas. He also mentioned 2 weaknesses: complexity of red tape which hinders innovation, a problem which regards Vietnam as well, and the scarce focus on results. Minister Luigi Nicolais moved a proposal for change: the joint structure of Public Administration and technological innovation will be able to give impetus and efficiency to the entire system.