Azlan Othman
Permanent Secretary (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office Ajman bin Haji Meludin said disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges, including rapidly rising inflation rates as well as the increasing impact of climate change, made it more important than ever for nations to prepare not just for these challenges, but for future unknown ones.
He made these comments at the opening of the 20th Second Echelon Brunei-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) yesterday.
This year, the CSEP programme is conducted until February 2. This year’s theme ‘Resilience in a Changing World’ is for delegates from both nations to share their experiences and best practices in preparing their respective civil services to face current and future challenges in a world where change is both rapid and constant.
A total of 10 senior officials from the Singapore civil service and 11 senior officials from the Brunei civil service attended the programme.
The programme includes lectures by relevant agencies, strategic conversations with ministries and learning journeys to several Agricultural Development Areas (KPP) under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD).
The permanent secretary said, “In previous programmes, both countries have shared and discussed matters related to bouncing back and recovering from the pandemic.
“It is now more important than ever for nations to prepare not just for these challenges, but for future unknown ones as well, he added. He also emphasised on the need to cultivate and improve resilience in the public sector which has become a crucial mandate, and remains relevant as we strive to not just ride out of crisis and return to the status quo, but to be able to transform and adapt from these disruptions.
Throughout this four-day programme, various agencies from the public and private sectors have been invited to share relevant and critical topics that impacts the government and society’s resilience as a whole. This includes digital services, economic diversification, food security, as well as youth education and development.
Jointly organised by the Civil Service Institute (IPA) and Singapore Civil Service College, the CSEP has been conducted annually since its inception in 2002. It has also provided opportunities for civil servants from both countries to network, learn best practices and establish closer ties at the second echelon level.
