Lectures within the First module of the 2014 Public Policy School were held on March 29th and 30th, at the premises of PR Center. The introductory lecture of the School, entitled “The concept and the stakeholders of the process of public policy making”, was presented by Tihomir Žiljak, PhD, professor at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Zagreb.
(Agenda of the First module of the Public Policy School is available in Montenegrin)
The two-day seminar covered the following topics: definition of the notion of “policy”; divisions, areas and sectors of public policies; typology of public policies; phases of the policy cycle; different types of actors (state and non-state) in the policy-making process, as well as models of their cooperation. Within the presentation of the different types of responsibility and accountability, special attention was dedicated to differentiating notions of “responsibility” and “accountability”, while within the discussion on instruments of public policy implementation, the terms “output”, “outcome” and “impact” were analyzed in a greater detail. Furthermore, possible mistakes and failures of public policies were discussed.
During the second day the dynamics of Europeanization and public policies in South Eastern Europe was discussed, as well as the difference between the terms “Europeanization” and “integration”; specificities of Europeanization of public policies in relation to Europeanization of politics. Additionally, the difference between Europeanization during EU accession process, after joining the EU, and outside the EU accession process, were pointed out as well.
An interesting discussion was opened up among participants on the different views of Montenegrin progress in the Europeanization process. Different standpoints generated contrasting opinions, from those who criticized the current state of affairs from the point of view of what yet needs to be done, to those who complimented the implemented reforms, emphasizing the importance of the results achieved so far.
Lectures included interactive group work and presentations of joint conclusions, while two short documentaries were screened. A great part of the literature recommended by professor Žiljak during the lectures was made available to the participants in electronic form.
Public Policy School is the project supported by the Commission for the Allocation of Revenue from Games of Chance and implemented by Institute Alternative (IA) in collaboration with the Centre for Research and Monitoring (CeMI).
