On February 22, 2025, the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) welcomed esteemed speaker Dr. Urooj Malik, Associate Professor of University Canada West and Adjunct Professor of CPAf- UPLB, for a thought-provoking workshop held at the CPAf Multi-Purpose Hall.
Themed “Empowering Inclusive Governance: Fostering Integrity and Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Development,” this event brought together public servants, aspiring leaders, and future changemakers committed to shaping a more equitable and just society. Led by director of the Institute for Governance and Rural Development Asst. Prof. Mayo Grace C. Amit, participants included CPAf master’s and PhD students, College of Development Communication undergraduate students, and a representative from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
According to Dr. Malik, inclusive governance is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical framework that empowers individuals and communities to actively participate in decision-making processes. In the seminar-workshop, he emphasized the four essential pillars of good and inclusive governance, coined as TAPP: transparency, accountability, predictability, and participation.
Participants left the workshop inspired and equipped to promote integrity, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement in their respective fields. Mr. Jose Chua, a CPAf Master in Public Affairs student, reflected on the event, sharing, “Dr. Malik reminded us that by embracing the TAPP-based values, we can transform the many problem trees in governance into trees of solutions. With transparency, accountability, predictability, and participation at the core of our policies and programs, we can truly serve the public’s best interests and foster progress toward an inclusive, equitable, and quality life for all.
“Our learnings from this seminar-workshop are highly relevant in shaping effective governance models and promoting sustainable development,” concluded Dr. Evelie P. Serrano, seminar-workshop organizing committee chair.
The learning event was organized by the Institute for Governance and Rural Development with the assistance of the CPAf Dean’s Office and Knowledge Management Office.
(Photo credits: Mr. Brent Miko Giossefp Delyola and Evelie P. Serrano)
