THE TIMES KUWAIT REPORT
In his keynote address to the World Government Summit 2023 held recently in Dubai, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah stated that in order to address current and future global challenges, manage crises, and diversify economies, governments need to seek support of epistemic modes of governance. Pointing out that the world was going through a critical period that required reliable knowledge-based governance, the premier called for a way of governing that was capable of providing exceptional and efficient management of any given situation, whether it was improving economies or handling natural and man-made crises.
Epistemic governance refers to the cognitive and knowledge-related paradigms that underlie efficient and effective governance. In Kuwait, where important decisions are often distorted by political inclinations and compulsions, appeasements and other non-epistemic factors, pivoting to an epistemic model of governing would entail drastic changes to the existing socio-political landscape. But, considering the prevailing political milieu, is implementing such a radical shift in governance feasible, let alone possible in Kuwait any time soon?
This is not just a rhetorical question, or a topic of interest only to political analysts, social scientists, or policymakers, answering this is equally pertinent to ordinary citizens and everyone with a stake in the country’s future prosperity and well-being. Any prospective shift to a more efficient and effective form of governance and governing will require everyone involved to engage in an in-depth examination and deliberation on where we are now, and where we need to be in order to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Kuwait and its people.
Analysts and international policy institutions have noted that knowledge-based governance and innovative policies are needed to support, if not replace, the current approach, where policies and plans currently rely largely on stifling bureaucratic or technocratic ideas and inputs. They add that epistemic governance will also need to supplant the existing traditional style of governing where inept decisions are often made to appease groups or to meet partisan interests.
For far too long, people and their representatives in parliament have followed a pattern of decision making where, when any issue or policy comes up for deliberation, stances are taken based on narrow parochial- or self-interests without considering the pros and cons of the policy, or why it needs to implemented, and without heeding its wider impact on the overall welfare of the country.
The traditional way of political or social discourse has been to begin a discussion with an end in mind, thereby wasting endless hours ‘debating’ an issue over which each side has already arrived at a conclusion. These ineffectual discussions lead to reactive, rather than proactive decisions, actions and results. From an individual and parochial point of view, this traditional approach in decision-making may have served well in the past. But this method has become increasingly untenable and unsustainable, as well as unsuited for a world moving ahead at a rapid pace.
Moreover, as some other policy specialists have pointed out, to ensure sustained success of any epistemic governing and governance model requires access to high quality knowledge, knowledge production and knowledge application processes. Put another way, progress towards an advanced form of knowledge society, knowledge economy, and knowledge democracy, necessitates having universities and higher education sectors that are capable of driving this development.
In Kuwait, notwithstanding the recent importance accorded to epistemic governance, the major prerequisite to supporting this governing model — having access to good, effective and sustainable quality education and learning — is an area that the country has struggled to make inroads into in the past, and continues to grapple with even today.
Despite various plans and exercises initiated over the past many decades to improve the quality of learning and teaching in Kuwait, outcomes have been less than that aspired for. The glaring gaps that exist in Kuwait’s education landscape was once again highlighted during a recent symposium held at the American International University in Kuwait. Addressing the gathering, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development Dr. Khaled Mahdi indicated that educational shortcomings in Kuwait were increasingly being reflected in the skill-gaps evident in the local labor market.
He added that the learning gap in the country, which widened during the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in a situation where the average gap is currently close to six years. To put this in perspective, the learning level of a graduate at the twelfth grade in Kuwait’s schools is equivalent to that of a seventh-grade student. To address these gaps, Dr. Mahdi proposed the implementation of an education development strategy that includes better and more efficient governance in the educational sector, curriculum development, teacher licensing, and adherence to international standards.
Emphasizing the importance of monitoring implementation of the strategy so as to assess progress, bridge gaps and overcome challenges, the Secretary-General regretted that, although Kuwait’s spending on education was equivalent to that of Finland, the return on investment has been far lower. Finland has consistently ranked among the top countries in international education assessments, while Kuwait has left much to be desired in these assessments.
On a related note, and of specific relevance to Kuwait, was a forum on ‘Future Education’ held on the sidelines of World Government Summit (WSG 2023). The forum, which focused on ‘Prioritizing Learning and Work’, addressed some of the key areas on the current state of global education, and the challenges and opportunities facing this field. In their discussions, academicians and education experts noted that in order to achieve and improve generational changes it was imperative for governments to prioritize learning and work.
Speakers at the forum pointed out that addressing the global priorities of education would require the strengthening of ties between the public and private sectors, engaging in partnerships with international governments and organizations. They also recommended that governments need to establish new mindsets, work models, national development, and upskilling, so as to adapt to rapid changes underway within workforces and educational sectors.
In Kuwait, the hope is that the government under the incumbent prime minister will give improving education the priority that it sorely needs. This prioritization is crucial considering the essential role that education plays in generating and disseminating knowledge needed to support epistemic governance, but also to ensure Kuwait’s future growth and prosperity.
In a positive sign, while continuing his address at the WGS 2023, Kuwait’s premier indicated that the government would act proactively to meet and overcome the ongoing challenges whether in financial, educational, or in other fields, so as to meet the needs of the ongoing knowledge revolution and the digital transformation taking place worldwide.
Studies and papers published in the run-up to WGS 2023, as well as discussions held on the sidelines of the Summit, also underlined the significance of good governance and quality leadership to the development and growth of countries, and its role as critical components to achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Academicians, activists and speakers from civil society organizations speaking on the sidelines of WGS 2023 also propounded on the twin aspects of good governance and quality leadership. They pointed out that the quality of a nation’s leadership and the trust vested in them by the public are keys to promoting development and offering a better life to citizens of these states.
They noted that developing countries seeking to fast-track sustainable development, in particular, need visionary and effective leaders who promote good governance. These leaders should have motivation, commitment and courage of conviction, as well as the ability to be inclusive and build consensus. They will need to be flexible and not hidebound, willing to accept responsibility as well as accountability, to be honest and to rigorously promote probity and integrity in public life, They should not only have a clear and attainable vision of what is sought to be achieved, but also the ability to put the national interest above self.
Policy specialists also opined that effective and ethical governance and government can and should benefit from many influences and inputs, but these influences and inputs should be in the form of evidence, information, knowledge and informed public participation, so as to contribute to the quality and legitimacy of government analysis and action.
They clarified that effective knowledge-based decision-making will need to meet four essential criteria: It should be based on a philosophy of open communication between leadership and membership; genuine dialogue before deliberation and decisions; common access to all information for all involved in making a decision; And, it should exist in a culture of trust between leaders and people.
On the other hand, some experts pointed out that since there was no universally accepted definition of good governance, nor any globally agreed mechanism that assessed a country’s governance, it was difficult to label a country’s governance as ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
They explained that governance is a broad concept covering various aspects of governing, including its economic, social and political policies, institutional processes, regulatory framework, and adherence to rule of law. Picking or focusing on just one aspect or another to determine good or bad governance would not be fair nor provide the right perspective.
One of the most cited definitions and clarification of good governance probably comes from the United Nations itself. According to the world body, a government that practices good governance has eight characteristics: It is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, and receptive to the needs of people. It is also effective and efficient in its functioning, equitable and inclusive in its dealings and follows the rule of law.
Good governance also entails assuring that corruption is minimized, that the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society. Here is hoping that Kuwait wakes up to the reality of where the country is headed to, and will set a course correction that ensures its future prosperity.
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