Good Governance in the Public-Yılmaz Parlar

Good Governance in the Public

Key to Improving Quality of Life: Good Governance in the Public Sector

Graduation Ceremony for “Good Governance in Public Sector Certificate Program” which was organized by the non-profit Argüden Governance Academy  in cooperation with Lifelong Learning Center of Boğaziçi University (BÜYEM) was held in Ankara at the National Library. In the ceremony where the Certificates were presented to key public officials who successfully completed the 96-hour Program, the crucial role of good governance for quality of life was emphasized.

The graduation ceremony of “Good Governance in Public Sector” aiming to raise awareness and improve knowledge of future public service leaders was held with wide attendance of top public sector officials at the National Library of Türkiye. The main target of the Good Governance in Public Sector Program is improving the competency of public experts on good governance through fostering civic participation in decision making processes and improving the effectiveness of public service delivery via innovation.

In the opening remarks of the Graduation Program, Prof. Dr. Metin Çakmakçı, Chairman of Argüden Governance Academy, stated that: “Good governance increases the quality of life and citizen satisfaction. The quality of Governance is directly linked to put societies’ trust in institutions. Societies that trust in institutions develop better and more effectively.”

In the opening remarks, on behalf of the participants and the host institution of the Program, Hafize Er, the Manager of External Affairs and Cultural Activities of National Library of Türkiye said “Good Governance in Public Sector Certificate Program offers an excellent opportunity for the public-sector leaders and we benefited greatly from the education. During the program, completing modules on Good Governance in Public Sector; Regulatory Reform and Empirical Methods in Policy-Making; Participatory Democracy and Open Government; and Effectiveness and Innovation in Public Service Delivery has provided new perspectives and methodologies to improve how we conduct our jobs. We believe that future participants will also benefit from every minute of this invaluable opportunity.”

Following the opening remarks, Certificates were presented to the public-sector leaders who successfully completed the 96-hour education program.,

In the closing remarks Dr. Yılmaz Argüden, the founder of the Argüden Governance Academy, said that “Knowledge and love increases when they are shared with others. Academy aims to increase the level of trust between public sector and citizens by sharing its knowledge, experience, and best practices in the world with qualified public sector executives who are potential future leaders.”  Dr. Argüden emphasized the importance of the Certificate Program and indicated that “Value can only be created through implementation. That’s why, we hope you maintain the continuity of this learning environment by applying good governance practices that you have learned in your responsibility areas and disseminate your experience.”

Dr. Argüden emphasized the appreciation of the Academy to its donors, namely TIRSAN, Borusan Holding, Akkök Holding,  Garanti Bank, and ARGE Consulting, as well as the institutions who collaborated for the program; Lifelong Learning Center of Boğaziçi University, Boğaziçi University Foundation, and the Civil Society Organizations established by various public sector expert groups (Association of Public Internal Auditors, Finance Experts Association, Association of European Union Experts, Prime Ministry Experts Association, Association of Customs and Trade Experts, Association of Treasury Experts, Association of Financial Services Experts, Association of Legislative Experts.).

Argüden Governance Academy conducts education programs, research, and communication activities, for public, corporate, and non-governmental organizations operating both at national and international level; aims to improve the quality of life and create sustainable value by building trust among institutions and their stakeholders. The Academy envisions to become a center of excellence in governance. It rewards the dissemination of good governance best practices by offering scholarships to postgraduate students who write their thesis on “Good Governance”.

In addition to the "Good Governance in the Public Sector" Certificate Program, the Academy, organizes “Good Corporate Governance Program for Private Sector (collaboration with International Finance Corporation-IFC)” aiming to improve quality of governance in private sector and branding quality of Türkiye in international area; “Good Governance in Civil Society” Certificate Program for better NGO governance, that one of the most important elements of participant democracy. Also, the Academy has initiated an innovative education program for children (leaders of the future) with the “Good Governance for Kids”.

The Academy had prepared the first Turkish Integrated Report covering its activities of 2015 and it became one of the pioneer non-profit organizations in the world adopting Integrated Report Framework.

Publications of Argüden Governance Academy were shared

Argüden Governance Academy shared with the public sector executives during the Certificate Program, its related with the Program modules. The latest publication of the Academy, “From a Citizen’s Perspective: Governance Scorecards of Municipalities for Istanbul Districts” was shared with the participants of the Graduation Ceremony. The Turkish and English publications of the Academy are publicly available online: http://argudenacademy.org/en/about-us/mission-vision

Click to watch Introduction to Argüden Governance Academy: http://argudenacademy.org/en/library

yilmazparlar@yahoo.com

Al-Attiyah Foundation think tank hosts global energy experts at the 9th Bosphorus Summit, Turkey-Yılmaz Parlar

Al-Attiyah Foundation think tank hosts global energy experts at the 
9th Bosphorus Summit, Turkey 

The Al-Attiyah Foundation, a leading energy and sustainable development think tank based in Qatar, hosted world energy experts for an engaging panel session focused on the rapidly changing gas scene, at the 9th Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, on 27th November 2018.

In line with the vision of the Foundation’s Chairman, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, the Foundation’s ongoing strategic partnership with the Uluslararasi Işbirlği Platforumu, International Cooperation Platform (UIP-ICP), who manage the Bosphorus Summit annually, provides an opportunity to enhance proactive multilateral and inter-disciplinary cooperation for sustainable development.    

The thought-provoking session opened by recognizing HE Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah’s unique background having occupied senior positions in both the energy industry as well as world-class initiatives to protect the environment and promote sustainability. 

The speakers, this year, at the Bosphorus Summit 9, included Al-Attiyah Foundation associates from several organisations: the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies and Qamar Energy.

Dr. Akito Matsumoto, Senior Economist from the IMF, shared his analysis of the natural gas market during his presentation: “First, our analysis finds that energy efficiency gain is offsetting demand growth from income growth for high income countries. Thus, energy demand growth comes from middle income countries. Second, among primary energy demand, growth for coal and oil will slow down and might stop a few decades later.   However, our analysis finds no signs of natural gas demand slowing in foreseeable future.”

Mahdjouba Belaifa of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) further commented on the ongoing growth of natural gas, focusing on emerging markets: “Prospects for natural gas demand growth are considerable in existing markets and emerging markets such as ASEAN, Pakistan and Bangladesh, but also in emerging sectors such as Natural Gas Powered Vehicles (NGV) and LNG as a bunkering fuel. The GECF will continue to play a significant role in supplying such growing demand. Furthermore, dialogue, cooperation and greater advocacy for natural gas as a fuel of choice for sustainable development are key for the expansion of natural gas."

Clearly, the economics derived from the supply and demand of gas has changed considerably in the last twenty years.   Prices have also changed significantly in key markets in Europe and Japan though, interestingly the USA based Henry Hub price has little changed. 

Dr Jan Frederik Braun, Strategic Energy Analyst, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies commented on the Dutch energy industry and the role of gas in Europe:
“The Netherlands is quickly shifting its role from the EU’s largest producer and exporter to a net importer of natural gas. The radical overhaul of the Dutch energy system is to a large extent representative of the whole of Europe: rapidly declining gas production, an increasing dependence on gas imports while phasing out coal and going for more renewables.”

The discussions of the week and subsequent outputs and connections made, demonstrate how think tanks, such as the Al-Attiyah Foundation, can make a significant contribution by convening global experts from academia, industry and government to find potential solutions to the challenges faced by every sector.

Outputs from the participation at the Bosphorus 9 Summit will be made available on the Foundation’s website:  www.abhafoundation.org/energy along with the Foundation’s other informative insights and research.    

About the Foundation: 
The Al-Attiyah Foundation is the only independent Energy and Sustainable Development think tank in Qatar and has, over the last five years, become highly respected by energy leaders both internationally and in Qatar. 

Building upon HE Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah’s work and forty years of service in the energy industry, the Foundation has quickly become a hub for thought leadership in the fields of Energy and Sustainable Development.  In addition to a variety of publications issued throughout the year, the Foundation engages world-renowned speakers to participate in a high-level dialogue series, conferences and panel discussions, a number of which are hosted in Qatar.   

Driven to support the global oil and gas industry, the Al-Attiyah Foundation firmly embraces its ongoing responsibility to deliver on its mission: to provide robust and practical knowledge and insights, on global energy and sustainable development topics, to the Foundation’s Members and community.


yilmazparlar@yahoo.com