Innovation and the Future of Local Government Topic of April 2 Lecture at Pitt

PITTSBURGH-The Innovation Clinic in Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) will present a lecture by James H. Svara, director of the Center for Urban Innovation in Arizona State University's School of Public Affairs, titled "Innovation and the Future of Local Government." The talk will take place at 9 a.m. April 2 in Ballroom A, University Club, 123 University Pl., Oakland. The event is part of GSPIA's Wherrett Lecture Series on Local Government.

Svara's presentation will examine the forces driving change in local government, both the short-term pressure of the current fiscal crisis and long-term factors. To address these issues, it is important to understand the nature of innovation and the factors related to introducing innovation into local government, according to Svara. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by March 30. For more information or to register, e-mail GSPIAIC@pitt.edu or call 412-648-2282.

Svara specializes in local-government politics, management, ethics, and innovation, with a particular interest in the roles elected and administrative officials play in innovation.

Svara is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and an honorary member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). He has served as a member of the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration and chair of its Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management. He is currently on the board of the Alliance for Innovation and a member of the ICMA Strategic Planning Committee.

The Center for Urban Innovation is a research and outreach center for innovative practices in local government management committed to advancing urban government in a global context by conducting basic and applied research, identifying trends and innovative practices, and encouraging diffusion to other local governments.

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3/24/10/tmw/lks/jdh