Workshop “Dialogue on Evaluation and Innovation
in Local Government”
June 11th, 2015
Writte by
Alessia PEDRAZZOLI, Silvia PERGETTI, Marco RANUZZINI, Manuel
REVERBERI, Giulia TAGLIAZUCCHI
Reviewed by Margherita RUSSO
Introduction
Objectives
The Centre for Local Governance (CLG) from the School of Public Leadership of
Stellenbosch University, South Africa, is a leading institution for the study of public
management, local development, policy evaluation, aiming at fostering the design and the
implementation of public policies and social services by South African local
governments. As one of its core activities, every year CLG offers opportunities for
scholars and local practitioners to study local good practices. In 2015, CLG organized a
study visit to Italy, in order to carry out an in-depth analysis of: Innovation in local
governance.
Coordinated by Professor Nicoletta Stame from the Italian Association of Evaluation and
Monitoring, the delegation visited the Universities of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Rome,
Milan and Padua. The delegation started its tour on June 10th at the University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, where it participated in the Workshop Dialogue on
Evaluation and Innovation in Local Government.
Partecipanti
Massimo BALDINI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia, massimo.baldini@unimore.it
Adéle BURGER, Research Coordinator, Stellenbosch University,
adele.burger@spl.sun.ac.za
Johan BURGER, Director of the School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University,
apjb@sun.ac.za
Abé DU PLESSIES, Senior Manager: Human Resources, Saldanha Bay Local
Municipality, abe.duplessis@sbm.gov.za
Kosie HAARHOFF, Director District and local performance monitoring, Western Cape
Provincial Department of Local Government, khaarhof@pgwc.gov.za
Anna Francesca PATTARO, Department of Economics, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, annafrancesca.pattaro@unimore.it
Graham PAULSE, Chief Director: Municipal Performance Monitoring and Support,
Western Cape Provincial Department of Local Government,
grahampaulse@westerncape.gov.za
Alessia PEDRAZZOLI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia, alessia.pedrazzoli@unimore.it
Silvia PERGETTI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia,
silvia.pergetti@unimore.it
Babette RABIE, Senior lecturer, Stellenbosch University, babette.rabie@spl.sun.ac.za
Marco RANUZZINI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia, marco.ranuzzini@unimore.it
Manuel REVERBERI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia, manuel.reverberi@unimore.it
Document1
1
Tommaso ROTELLA, Municipality of Modena, Member of Executive Council,
tommaso.rotella@comune.modena.it
Margherita RUSSO, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia, margherita.russo@unimore.it
Louis SCHEEPERS, Municipal Manager of Saldanha Bay Local Municipality,
louis.scheepers@sbm.gov.za
Paolo SILVESTRI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia,
paolo.silvestri@unimore.it
Giulia TAGLIAZUCCHI, Department of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio
Emilia, giulia.tagliazucchi@unimore.it
Workshop: proceedings and results
Introduction
The workshop starts with a presentation by Russo of the Department of Economics Marco
Biagi. A second presentation of histories, objectives, research topics, approach and core
values of Stellenbosch University and Centre for Local Governance (CLG) by Director
Burger follows. University of Stellenbosh has a truly multidisciplinary approach, with
multiple research topics, and an extensive international network. It highly valorises and
fosters exchanges between academics and local government practitioners.
First session: The main features of local governments in Italy and South
Africa
Pattaro opens the first sessions with a presentation on fundamentals of Italian government
system. Russo reflects on the lack of long-term territorial planning in recent years, while
Silvestri illustrates financing strategies of local governments, mainly based on national
taxes.
Rabie introduces fundamentals of South African government system. Such a system
developed during the democratisation process in the 90ies, and features a progressive
merging of smaller local governments into bigger, more efficient unities. Local
governments in South Africa benefits from availability at local scale of greater financial
resources (with notable exceptions) and bigger decisional powers. Weaknesses are
presented as follows: coordination problems with central government, corruption,
bureaucracy, local differences, and lack of skills of government personnel.
Local practitioners from Saldanha Bay Local Municipality, Du Plessies and Scheepers,
illustrates the areas of intervention of Saldanha Bay local government, organizational
structure, and current challenges. Quality of data and information is impressive, and is
due to support from and cooperation with university and research institutions.
Second session: Presentation of Municipality of Modena
The visiting delegation is welcomed by Municipality of Modena by Member of Executive
Council Tommaso Rotella. After a guided tour of the building, Rotella illustrates few
projects and innovations introduced by Municipality of Modena. In particular, he focuses
on the initiatives aiming at revitalizing the local economy (co-working spaces, support to
start-ups). Rabie shows interest in the differences between public administrators in South
Africa and in Italy, and in participation of stakeholders in government decision-making.
Third session: Socio-economic conditions of families in the province of
Modena and in Stellenbosch/ Cape Winelands
Silvestri opens the third session with an introduction on Centre for Analysis of Public
Policies (CAPP) and methodology and objectives of ICESmo survey, meant at analysing
Document1
2
the socio-economic conditions of Modena families. Baldini gives an overview of the
findings of ICESmo3, and focuses on poverty. Rabie asks clarifications on the use of data
in order to support the design of local policies.
Burger follows and presents socio-economic conditions of Western Cape province.
Striking differences with the Italian situation emerge; few aspects need to be underlined::
a very young population and a very small percentage of people older than 65 years,
internal and external immigration flows, high unemployment rates, diffusion of HIV and
TB viruses, as well as high obesity rate, gangsterism and crime.
Fourth session: Emergent issues in local development
Russo presents the project Energie Sisma Emilia, and shows a cluster analysis of the
earthquake area. She highlights the small dimensions of governments in charge of the
reconstruction process, and resulting challenges in terms of long-term perspectives and
use of resources. Few innovations in local governments following the earthquake are
introduced, i.e. a digital infrastructure for filing construction applications. A debate on
prevention and review of public policies for natural disaster management follows.
Scheepers concludes with a presentation of a local development project in Saldhana Bay,
aiming at renovating an unconstructed urban area. The project focuses on a merging of
different urban functions in the same area: economic, housing, administrative and
commercial. Silvestri and Russo recall a similar project carried out in Modena in the
50ies.
Document1
3