inadequate capacities forpolicy analysis andevaluation anddevelopment of alternatives. Italsoshowed theneedindeveloping countries todefine therole ofthepublic sectorinpromoting initiative anddynamism intheeconomy. Inthe international context, itisnowrealized increasingly thatmacro-economic policy andperformance inindustrialized countries affect developing countries incritical ways. Formanyofthelatter, prospect fortheirdevelopment cannot beseparated fromthatoftheworldeconomy. Thereisanurgent needindeveloping countries forperiodic articulation oftheroleandpriorities forpublic management systems andforstrengthening theircapacities forimproved policy analysis, effective implementation ofdevelopment policies andprogrammes andtimely adjustment of national policies inthecontext oftheglobal changes andtrends. 21.17 Accordingly, thespecific objectives ofthesubprogramme are: (a)Toenhance thecapacity ofdeveloping countries inarticulating therole andpriority ofpublic sector management, including publicenterprises, andin strengthening theircapabilities forpolicy formulation andevaluation systems in goverment; (b)Toreview andanalyse theroleofthepublicsector ineconomic development ofdeveloping countries; (c)Toreview theissues, priorities, changes andtrends inpublic management: (d)Tostudyapproaches andtoolsforanalysing policy options andfor evaluating impacts ofpolicy decisions. (b)Course of,action oftheSecretariat 21.18 Inaccordance withthespecific objectives outlined above, theSecretariat will: (a)Review periodically developments andtrendsinpublic management, including theroleofthepublicsector ineconomic development; -6-2 Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)Survey changes andtrendsemerging inthenational, regional andworld sceneofpublicadministration andfinance, including measures takeninconnection withstructural adjustment programmes: (c)Facilitate exchange ofinformation andmethodology transfer inpublic administration andcarryoutempirical studies onarrangements forpolicyanalysis andformulation inselected developing countries; (d)Deviseappropriate methodology forevaluating theimpactofpolicy actions. SUBPROGRAMME 2.EFFECTIVE STRUCTURAL ANDORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ANDMETHODS FORPUBLIC MANAGEMENT ANDPRODUCTIVITY (a)Objectives 21.19 Thelegislative authority forthepresent subprograrnme derives fromEconomic andSocial Council resolution 1985/10, paragraph 6(b). 21.20Administrative reformhasprovedtobeacontinuing needofmanydeveloping countries. Theexistence ofinadequate (butsometimes overgrown andoverstaffed) administrative structures andinstitutional arrangements pointstotheneedfor constant attention totheirsizeaswellasperformance. Frequently, thereis overlapping andduplication offunctions amonggovernment organizations, whichalso display alackofflexibility instructure andoperations. 21.21Citizen participation inpublicaffairs hasbeenonamodestscale. The absence ofawell-defined roleforlocalgovernment, cleardemarcation ofitsarea ofauthority, together withshortage offinancial resources, technical and professional expertise havebeenthedistinguishing features oflocalgovernment in developing countries. Centralized set-up andrigidgovernment procedures mayhave anadverse affect onthecitizens orlocalauthorities andmayprevent readyaccess toinformation andtheservices towhichthecitizens andlocalunitsmaybe entitled. Theconditions formakingdecentralized systems workhavetobeexplored morefully. 21.22Information management iscrucial toefficient pUblicadministration. Problems havearisenintheuseofinformation technologies andunder-utilization ofinformation systems andoffice automation bymanagers inthepublicsector. The situation canbealleviated byestablishing anappropriate national computer
**Analysis**
The text discusses the need for effective public management systems in developing countries, highlighting the importance of policy analysis, evaluation, and development of alternatives. It also touches on the role of the public sector in promoting initiative and dynamism in the economy, and the need for periodic articulation of the role and priorities for public management systems. Additionally, the text mentions administrative reform, citizen participation, information management, and decentralized systems. These topics suggest that the text is focused on the management and governance of economies, rather than a specific sector or issue.

**Category**
Economic development, Public Administration