18 distinguished public sector leaders from Brazil gathered at the Hertie School (23-27 September) for an intensive five-day programme which focused on leadership, digital transformation and public management. These 18 leaders were winners of Brazil’s Espírito Público award – a prestigious award that recognises public sector professionals in Brazil for demonstrating exemplary leadership and discharging their duties with distinction.
What did participants learn?
The week-long programme comprised multidisciplinary seminars which focused on public innovation, digital governance, human resource management, health policy, power and influence, as well as political communication. Furthermore, to enable participants to gain firsthand insights from public sector professionals in Germany, the programme included visits to Germany’s Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure as well as the German Bundestag.
Beyond the classroom programmes and working visits, participants were also taken on a guided bike tour of Berlin, which gave them an opportunity to learn more about Germany’s history. Destinations visited in the course of the bike tour included famous historical sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall Monument, Bebelplatz, the Berlin Cathedral, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Reichstag, the Museum Island and Checkpoint Charlie.
Highlights of the traning programme for the award winners
To learn more about this programme, watch this short video capturing the highlights of the training. Faculty and participants share their views.
Bright ideas. New perspectives
The programme offered participants a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise and gain new perspectives on public sector management. Reflecting on his experience, Rodrigo Diniz Lara, a staff member at Brazil’s State Secretariat for Planning and Management (MG - SEPLAG) said: “One big challenge I face at state-level government is to implement policies that provide better services for citizens. Throughout the week I have taken part in lectures and discussions on digital transformation that have highlighted best practices in this field. I am taking what I have learned back home to the Minas Gerais State and to Brazil to improve digital transformation in the region”.
Jorge Amaro de Souza Borges, a manager at Brazil’s Secretariat of Environment was also inspired by the programme: “Being here at the Hertie School has enabled me to discover new perspectives on public policy and to think about mechanisms and ways to improve my practice in the Mostardas municipality and in Brazil. Being here is principally an experience in becoming a better public servant and delivering more efficient public services to society”.
