Strengthening Governance Capacity and Public Administration Amidst Pandemic and New Normal Era

The COVID-19 pandemic leads to change and impacted various fields and sectors. The economic sector is directly affected by the pandemic. As predicted by world institutions and experts that world economic growth will enter a recession. In addition to these aspects, Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly has a significant impact on human life. Limited social and physical distance, schools, and universities stop their normal activities. The number of workers laid off can be at the root of other social problems such as unemployment, poverty, and human development.

To deal with the pandemic in the new normal era, it requires an adaptive, responsive, and agile government facing various challenges faced. Therefore strengthening governance capacity is a critical agenda. Strengthening governance capacity is essential for a disruptive development process at all levels of government agencies.

The conference discussed four issues in strengthening governance capacity in the pandemic and new normal era. First is leadership issues; second is digital transformation; third is dynamic and agile bureaucracy; fourth is changing in politics, economic, social, and technology, and law (PESTEL). The leadership issues discussed in this conference are crisis leadership, women and leadership, and leadership and risk communication. Digital-based government, working from home, social media, and various other issues related to the digital transformation process discussed in the second theme, namely digital transformation session. Some issues in dynamic governance session are agile bureaucracy, change, culture and capabilities, transparency, trust, accountability, and community participation. While the PESTEL changes, discusses various changes in various sectors such as poverty, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), religious and social change, transportation impacted by the pandemic.