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Public Administration and Governance for the SDGs: Navigating between Change and Stability

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  • Louis Meuleman

    (Public Governance Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

This article highlights four key reform challenges regarding the quality of public administration and governance (PAG), aimed at increasing ‘SDG-readiness’ at all levels of administration, in a nexus characterized by complexity, volatility, pluriformity and uncertainty. Based on others’ research into how EU Member States institutionalize the implementation of the SDGs, a critical review of SDG-governance approaches, as well as a review paper on the management of the SDGs, it is concluded that that four priority areas could guide research and policy development to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Firstly, to recognize that creating an effective public administration and governance is an important strategic policy area. Secondly, to begin with mission-oriented public administration and governance reform for SDG implementation, replacing the efficiency-driven public sector reform of the past decades. Thirdly, to apply culturally sensitive metagovernance to design, define and manage trade-offs and achieving synergies between SDGs and their targets. Fourthly, to start concerted efforts to improve policy coherence with a mindset beyond political, institutional, and mental ‘silos’.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Meuleman, 2021. "Public Administration and Governance for the SDGs: Navigating between Change and Stability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5914-:d:561264
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Mundy, Karen, 2023. "SDG4 and state capacity: The missing link," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
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    9. Florina Pînzaru & Adina Săniuță & Bianca Roxana Sălăgeanu, 2022. "Managing innovation for sustainability in public administration: the challenges of capacity-building," Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania. Modern Management Systems, Military University of Technology, Faculty of Security, Logistics and Management, Institute of Organization and Management, issue 3, pages 65-80.
    10. Maria-Glòria Barberà-Mariné & Laura Fabregat-Aibar & Valeria Ferreira & Antonio Terceño, 2024. "One Step Away from 2030: An Assessment of the Progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the European Union [A un paso de 2030: Una evaluación del progreso de los Objetivos de Desarrollo S," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 36(6), pages 1372-1397, December.
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