Expert Urges Stronger Public Administration Amid Global Shifts

Professor Francisco Longo, a public governance expert at ESADEGov, called for bolstering public administration to tackle unprecedented challenges during a breakfast colloquium organised by the Andorran Family Business Federation (EFA) in Andorra la Vella. His talk, "A Modern Administration with Values," stressed the urgency of political commitment to strengthening the public sector amid rapid economic, social, and technological shifts.

Longo noted that governments frequently overlook such investments, lacking sufficient public demand and seeing outcomes only in the medium to long term. A strong public sector is vital, he argued, since "without a good public sector, countries do not function." He foresaw even heavier demands on public services in an era of profound change and uncertainty, requiring enhanced capacity to handle complex scenarios.

Regarding administrative reforms, Longo cautioned against adopting foreign models wholesale, as they "never yields good results" when unadapted to local realities. Many efforts falter by imposing external approaches without tailoring them, he said. Leaders should instead spotlight successful domestic services, because "sometimes we fail to see what works because we focus on what doesn't."

On pension systems, amid current discussions, Longo refrained from endorsing particular approaches for any country. Current setups cannot be overhauled entirely due to steep costs, while pay-as-you-go schemes rely on intergenerational agreements that must endure. Sustainability demands reforms of "a certain depth."

Longo offered no tailored recommendations for Andorra, citing his limited familiarity with its specifics, but described the Principat as "an economic success story" despite pressures facing all economies.