Members of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) have voted unanimously to dissolve the group following reports of declining membership and funding.
The vote was taken at CAPAM’s Annual General Meeting held in London in December, with members voting to voluntarily liquidate the group whose founding coincided with the end of apartheid in South Africa 25 years ago.
In a statement, CAPAM said: “Despite best efforts in recent years to evolve the organisation towards a new business model that included digital programme delivery and a broader remit, the decision to cease operations is a practical response to a prolonged period of steady membership decline and insufficient transition funding.”
It said members around the world should know that CAPAM “made concerted efforts to plan for change, uncover new sources of funding and reach out to member nations and partners”.
“The closure of an organisation is an unenviable task and requires a pragmatic and sustained approach,” it said.
The CAPAPM Board of Directors acknowledged the efforts of CAPAM President, Daniel Watson, “for taking the helm at such a difficult time”.
“CAPAM thanks its members for their support and acknowledges the many public service professionals and organisations with which it has had the pleasure to collaborate over the years,” it said.
“In particular the organisation acknowledges the generosity of governments that hosted programmes and events and provided substantial financial support, especially in recent years.”
Is said it hoped that a celebration of public service innovations and idea exchange would continue to be embraced and that the CAPAM vision of “inspiring excellence across the public service” would endure.
