Resilience is a concept borrowed from natural sciences, defining the ability of an ecosystem, a group of individuals, or a species to recover after an external disturbance, such as a storm, a fire, or deforestation. When applied to public institutions, resilience refers to their capacity to adapt, reform, and strengthen themselves in response to external shocks or challenges.
Enhancing the Resilience of Public Institutions: Is It Possible?
Public institutions, often rooted in constitutions and structures created in a different era, sometimes appear rigid and difficult to reform. For example, the U.S. Constitution of 1787 and the French Constitution of 1958, while robust, reflect the realities and needs of bygone eras. Today, institutions must face contemporary challenges such as climate change, cybercrime, global health crises, and geopolitical tensions.
In recent years, institutions have faced significant shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recurring economic crises, and the challenges posed by the rise of populism. Some countries have successfully overcome these challenges. For example, New Zealand’s rapid and effective management of the pandemic has been praised, thanks to a combination of strong leadership, clear communication, and institutional adaptability. Similarly, Finland, with its tradition of collaborative governance and high public trust, has navigated economic and political crises without compromising the stability of its institutions.
The keys to success lie in the ability to anticipate, flexibility in decision-making processes, transparent communication, and the inclusion of citizens in governance processes. One of my most productive experiences in this domain was during my year-long mission in Congo. I served as a technical assistant at the Ministry of Planning, and my daily presence and ability to collaborate closely with others on responding to contemporary challenges significantly advanced our efforts. This is often less effective in short-term missions or, worse, in so-called “intermittent missions,” where the consultant only visits occasionally.
Institutional Resilience: Is It Desirable?
Enhancing the resilience of public institutions is a noble goal, but it must be ensured that this transformation does not lead to an excessive concentration of power, risking autocratic tendencies. Institutional resilience should not mean rigidity or authoritarianism but rather adaptability, transparency, and accountability.
The challenge is to strengthen institutions while preserving democratic principles and ensuring that power remains in the hands of the people. Thus, resilience should be geared toward creating institutions that are more open, transparent, and responsive to the needs of citizens.
How to Strengthen the Resilience of Public Institutions?
To strengthen institutional resilience, my experience has taught me that several strategies can be implemented:
- Introduce Anticipatory Capacity and Promoting Innovation: Institutions must develop strategic monitoring mechanisms to identify potential threats and opportunities. This can be achieved by establishing monitoring units and think tanks dedicated to forward-looking analysis.
- Reform Human Resource Management: It is crucial to move away from seniority-based management and focus on skills and performance. The immovability of civil servants, adopted in some countries, should be reevaluated, and continuous and mandatory training programs should be established to ensure that public employees remain up-to-date with societal and technological developments.
- Modernize and Reform Obsolete Institutions: Institutional structures must be regularly evaluated and modernized to stay in line with contemporary realities. This could include the digitization of public services, simplification of bureaucratic procedures, or revision of outdated legislative frameworks.
- Introduce New Forms of Work: Flexible working arrangements, including telecommuting and adjusted schedules, can help make institutions more resilient to crises, as observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developing the Capacity to Anticipate and Meet the Needs of the Population
To enable institutions to anticipate and effectively respond to the needs of the population, it is essential to:
- Encourage Citizen Participation: Citizens must be involved in decision-making processes, which can be achieved through public consultations, referendums, or interactive digital platforms.
- Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Institutions must listen to feedback from the population and adjust their policies accordingly.
- Promote a Culture of Innovation: Institutions should encourage innovation, whether in processes, services, or public policies, by creating an environment conducive to experimentation and adaptation.
Conclusion
Enhancing the resilience of public institutions is not only possible but also necessary to face the challenges of the 21st century. However, this resilience must be built within the framework of democratic principles, always keeping in mind the ultimate goal: the well-being of the people. By introducing anticipatory capacities, modernizing processes, reforming human resource management, and encouraging innovation, public institutions can not only survive external disturbances but also thrive and better serve their citizens.