SARS-COV2 as Trigger for Reviewing Strategic and Operational Public Administration Frameworks

Abstract

Administration as complex field of science, expertise, and research has accompanied economic, social, and cultural development from ancient times up to now. Public administration is the most visible component as it has multiple facets as expression of the political, legal, and managerial context inside a country. It ensures permanent direct or indirect links between government and individuals, and is relevant for several related fields like employment, education, health, and environment. The current ongoing pandemic has confronted public administrations all over the world with multiple challenges, and one of them stands out – the necessity of reviewing policymaking processes, policies, measures, and intervention frameworks of public administration to make them more flexible, responsive and fit for operating in a digitalized environment. In this respect, Romania is faced with multiple challenges regarding policymaking and public administration policies, and as regards decision-making and proper functioning at the two main levels, respectively operational and strategic. Current uncertainty needs to be addressed not just by immediate action, but also requires outlining some future directions for policymaking as regards public policies at strategic level, and improvement of skills and capacities at operational level at both national and European level. It should address main fields public administration has to deal with, from education and health, to employment and environmental issues as global crises like the SARS-COV2 pandemic or other unexpected force majeure events might change priorities and endanger certain aspects of established policies thus being both threat and opportunity for convergence and cohesion at European and national level.