The primary aim of the conference was to invite participants and members from all over the world to foster future perspectives for public administration. Several associates of the School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) were invited to attend and present papers at the conference. The following is a list of SPMA members and the titles of their papers:

· Professor JO Kuye (Director of the SPMA) – “Leadership and governance imperatives in a developmental state: The quest for a public policy dialogue”.

· Professor C Thornhill – “Creating administrative capacity for the developmental state”.

· Professor PA Brynard – “The implementation of unemployment policies in South Africa”.

· Professor HG Van Dijk – “Enhancing student engagement in undergraduate public administration teaching: A conceptual analysis”.

· Mr M Tshiyoyo – “Leadership and governance imperatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”.

· Mr SB Koma – “The evolution of developmental local government in South Africa: Issues, trends and options”.

· Ms HM Nkwana and Professor HG Van Dijk – “Conceptualising a gender specific evaluation framework for the leadership development of women in local government”.

The conference was regarded as highly successful, as it allowed scholars of public administration to discuss the dynamic challenges confronting the discipline.