Presentation - “The role and functions of the centre – Perspective from the OECD”, Andrew Davies, Senior Counsellor, OECD, Public Governance Directorate. Regional conference on the functioning of centres of government in the Western Balkans, 22-23 June 2017, Danilovgrad, Montenegro.

1. STRENGTHENING THE
CENTRE
PERSPECTIVES FROM THE OECD
Andrew Davies

2. OECD’s Network of Senior Officials from
Centres of Government
• Composed of Heads of Government Offices,
Prime Minister’s Offices or equivalent
• One of the most senior OECD committees
• Recent themes:
– steering the SDGs
– decision-making in crisis
– driving public sector performance
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3. Their concerns:
• Centre under-resourced for expanding role
• Analytical capacity neglected
• Strategic function underused
• A repository for “homeless” policy issues
Other people’s concerns:
• Centre opaque/secretive
• Unclear functions and confusing organisation
Understanding the role and functions of
the Centre
No existing international comparison or benchmark of the Centre

4. 1. Adaptability
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• Acceptance that Centre
needed to respond
• Divergent paths to similar
goal: some countries have
strengthened the centre by
adding resources and others
have strengthened by
outplacing non-essential
activities
• How can the Centre be
stronger without making the
State too centralised? Is there
a trade off to be made?

5. 2. Leadership
Coordination depends on ability to
mobilise, persuade, incentivise at the
highest level
Does the Centre have the right tools
and enough influence for the job? Is
the challenge for the Centre that it is
too political or not political enough?
Political influence vs. Continuity

6. 3. Focus on key tasks
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8. 4. Policy
coordination

12. A typical Centre structure

13. 5. Continuity

14. 6. Financial resources
Since 2009, how has the budget of the Centre changed?

15. In conclusion
• Huge interest of strengthening the Centre in OECD and
non OECD countries – highly visible in Latin America;
• Recognition that an effective Centre is a prerequisite for
effective policymaking today;
• Previous emphasis on “difference” and “political context”
giving way – shared challenges need similar responses;
• No “model” of a perfect Centre -- many questions remain
about effectiveness in practice, no barometer for success
• Exchange of experience via the CoG network particularly
valuable because the Centre is a relatively new area for
governance analysis.
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16. Thank you!