NISPAcee is pleased to invite all member institutions, associate and individual members, as well as others interested in the topics of public administration and public policy in Central and Eastern Europe to participate and take part in discussions of the issues of democratic governance at the 13th annual NISPAcee conference. During the last 15 years, former Communist countries have made significant social, political, and economic progress. Free elections, public policy debates, market economy, diverse civil societies are the proof of this. National public administration systems and practices have also changed dramatically. Today's civil servants are more professional and capable than they were a decade ago; many public managers utilize the best public administration research has to offer; efficiency and effectiveness play important roles in art and science of governing. The transition to democratic and prosperous societies is in full swing in Central and Eastern Europe. Some countries already joined the EU in May 2004. Whilst the degree of advancement is varied, democracy and market economy as values and as a reality have taken roots in the region. As these changes occur, public administration practice and theory have faced a number of new as well as traditional challenges.
