Equipping public officials for challenges of responsible governance: a South African perspective on lifelong learning

Abstract

Public officials worldwide face an ever-changing situation. The environments in which they function have become increasingly complex over the past few decades, bringing varied and growing challenges in service delivery. They are confronted by shifting values, new governments, more assertive populations, multiple and pluralistic needs for public services, with new services being introduced and existing services being restructured, and with new tasks, new technology, new knowledge and new skills all being required. It is clear that their survival in this new century will depend on lifelong learning.