Reading Hosts Pakistani Public Administrators

The following was submitted by Paula Schena:

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst were awarded a multi-year grant from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to provide training for 75 Pakistani public administrators on municipal government operations in the United States. 

The State Department grant funds visits by five groups of Pakistani public administrators. The first two groups visited in 2011. A third group is in Massachusetts from April 28 until June 1.  

After a week-long orientation at ITD, the Pakistani officials travelled to Boston to visit cultural attractions such as the John F. Kennedy Museum and meet their host communities.  The group will participate in two two-week internships and professional attachments to study the day-to-day operations, problem-solving strategies, professional management techniques and civic engagement activities in place in the host cities and towns.

The participants will also visit New York City and conclude their time in the United States by meeting with State Department officials and key Federal legislators.

The project’s goal is for participating Pakistanis and Americans to develop new professional skills and relationships through their interaction.  One of the features of the program is to share best practices on transparency in government.  Wrap-up activities will include individual and group assessments on the internships and preparation of action plans that the participants will implement upon their return home.

 “This will be a very rewarding initiative,” said MMA Executive Director Geoffrey C. Beckwith, “Massachusetts communities have a long history of strong professional management and innovation, and municipal leaders will enjoy sharing their expertise with key international partners who are devoted to building strong management systems in Pakistan.  Building strong public partnerships knows no political boundaries and I applaud our local officials for welcoming these distinguished visitors into their communities.”

Communities participating in this third session of the exchange program include Andover, Lowell, Reading, Melrose, Easton, Westwood, Dedham, Canton, Newton, and Great Barrington.

Altaf Gohar and Shehryar Sikander visited Reading from May 8 to May 18. Their hosts were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the Reading management team.  During their visit, Reading exposed these two Pakistani officials to a variety of experiences - professional, social, and cultural. On the schedule were: attendance at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting, visiting schools, shadowing Department Heads, and attendance at a Department Head meeting. Also on tap: a Red Sox game, attendance at a local concert, and participating in a church service.

The Town Manager noted that “We hope to expose our guests to many aspects of life in our community – we’re proud to show off Reading and its residents.  But we find that we are also learning a lot about a part of the world to which we have little exposure, and that is a very rewarding part of this program.  It has been a delight to come to know Mr. Gohar and Mr. Sikander – they are excellent representatives of their country.”