In this interview, Gord Evans discusses his experience working in Lithuania on center of government reforms from 1998 to the early 2000s and again starting in 2009. He explains the importance of the Chancellery’s office and later Prime Minister Kubilius in building support for the initial center of government reforms. Evans emphasizes that the leadership of top officials was necessary for the institutionalization of reforms as well as for ensuring that officials continued to adapt reforms to Lithuania’s specific context and changing needs. It was critical to reform effectiveness that Lithuanian officials from across ministries took ownership over reform planning, sustainability, and evolution. Evans also describes the processes of several specific reforms, such as aligning budgeting and policy planning, instituting impact assessments, and improving legislative efficiency. In addition, Evans talks about how the requirements of EU accession influenced the motivation, challenges, and speed of reform.
Case Study: Focusing on Priority Goals: Strategic Planning in Lithuania, 2000-2004
Full Interview
Download MP3
Since 1998, Gord Evans has worked as an international consultant on government decision-making, strategic planning, and policy formulation. He has extensive experience, having worked in Lithuania, Albania, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Ghana, South Sudan, Qatar, Afghanistan, and China. He has also co-authored a publication on policy and planning for the World Bank. Prior to his international consulting career, Evans held several senior positions in the Canadian Government. Most notably he was Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council. In that role, he was responsible for coordinating the planning across government.