On March 28, 2025, the Ateneo de Naga University Center for Local Governance (ADNU-CLG), in collaboration with the Philippine Society for Public Administration (PSPA), the Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines, Inc. (ASPAP, Inc.), and the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), successfully hosted a groundbreaking international webinar titled Enhancing Good Governance: A Webinar on Practices. This breakthrough event brought together three distinguished governance experts from Indonesia, Japan, and Taiwan, marking a milestone in cross-border knowledge exchange on governance reforms.

As of writing, the webinar reached an extensive audience amassing more than 6,000 combined views across AdNU CLG’s Facebook Live and YouTube streaming platforms, demonstrating the widespread interest and impact of the discussions on governance best practices.

Streaming live via multiple platforms, the webinar was formally opened by Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, Director of ADNU-CLG and Dean of the Graduate School, who underscored the historic nature of this intellectual convergence. Moderated by Mr. Joshua Carl S. Barcelon, a graduate student in public administration at Ateneo de Naga University, the event assembled renowned thought leaders who shared pioneering insights on governance innovations in their respective countries.

A Convergence of Global Thought Leaders

The webinar’s stellar panel of international speakers delivered cutting-edge discussions on governance frameworks and transformative public administration strategies:

• Dr. Agus Pramucinto (Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia) presented a compelling analysis of Indonesia’s governance breakthroughs, particularly in digital governance and smart city initiatives. His insights into Bandung Digital Valley, Jakarta’s Smart City project, and Bandung’s Digital Waste Management showcased how technology-driven governance solutions enhance efficiency, transparency, and public engagement. 
• Dr. Masao Kikuchi (Meiji University, Japan) provided an in-depth exploration of collaborative governance, particularly in addressing Japan’s aging population crisis. His presentation on Shibushi City’s waste segregation program and Hiroshima Prefecture’s disaster preparedness strategies illustrated the power of multi-sectoral partnerships in governance. 
• Dr. Jose Chiu C. Chen (Tunghai University, Taiwan), Chairman of the Chinese Society for Public Administration (CSPA), presented a transformative case study on Taiwan’s Dongda River revitalization project—a landmark model of public-private collaboration. He emphasized the crucial role of environmental governance, inter-agency coordination, and citizen participation in sustainable urban development.

Critical Insights and Policy Implications

The highly engaging panel discussion was further enriched by the insights of Dr. Kristoffer Berse (Dean, UP-NCPAG), Atty. Antonio Ricardo Tejada (Professor, AdNU-MPA Program) and Dr. Alex Brillantes (Secretary-General, EROPA), who served as reactors. Their discussions emphasized the importance of localizing international governance innovations while addressing key challenges such as digital inclusion, participatory governance, and policy adaptability in the Philippine setting.

A thought-provoking open forum allowed participants to delve into pressing governance issues, including the role of AI in shaping the future of public administration, challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance digitalization and best practices for achieving ISO accreditation in public service institutions

A Landmark Event in Governance Collaboration

In his closing remarks, Dr. Alfredo Fabay, Vice President for Higher Education at Ateneo de Naga University, described the event as a trailblazing moment in fostering regional and international collaboration for governance excellence. He highlighted the pivotal role of transnational knowledge-sharing in shaping the future of public administration in Asia.

With its unparalleled exchange of governance expertise, this event set a new benchmark for policy discourse in the region, reaffirming the commitment of academic institutions and governance organizations to fostering innovation, transparency, and good governance across Asia.

Special Acknowledgement

The success of the webinar was made possible through the unwavering support of its partner organizations—Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines, Inc. (ASPAP Inc.), the Philippine Society for Public Administration (PSPA), and the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA)—along with the exceptional leadership of the convener, AdNU-CLG team with its technical staff, namely, Mr. Ariel Malate and Ms. Camille Faye R. Badong, for ensuring a seamless event execution.

A heartfelt gratitude to Sherwin Perez and Xeena Almendral, from James O’Brien Library of the university, for their invaluable support in operationalizing the logistics and managing the technical matters that ensured the success of the webinar. Their contributions were integral to the smooth execution of the event.

To watch the replay of the webinar, please refer to these links:

Enhancing Good Governance: A Webinar on Good Practices via YouTube
Enhancing Good Governance: A Webinar on Good Practices via AdNU CLG Facebook Page

Prepared by:

Marvin Cayetano
Student Intern, AdNU-CLG