Conference Programme Terminology

1. Pre-conference Programmes consist of particular and meetings not included into the main conference programme.

Open:

• Pre-conference programme for PhD students and Young Researchers is focuses on young researchers to encourage quality and develop their skills in academic and research activities. They will be given some practical tips and up-to-date techniques. Although it is dedicated primarily to young researchers, it can be attended by all participants who are interested in adopt international standards of research in the field of public administration (PA) and policy (PP).
• Other special events included into the pre-conference of a respective conference

Closed:

• Steering Committee meeting is for the members and president of Steering Committee and is closed for conference participants.
• Meeting with Conference Coordinators and Chairs is only open to those Coordinators and Chairs of the current conference Working Groups, Panels and Sessions. The meeting is closed to all participants of the conference.

2. Plenary Sessions

• Opening Plenary Session is the opening ceremony of the NISPAcee conference prepared by the Conference Organizing Committee. It consists from Welcome and Opening Speeches, Keynote Speech and Speeches of Local Representatives. Opening Plenary Session is also linked to the first part of the NISPAcee Award ceremony.
• NISPAcee Anninversary Panel
  
• Closing Plenary Session marks the end of the conference. It consists of a closing Roundtable discussion between distinguished experts on a crucial present-day topic in Public Administration and Policy. During the closing session, participants are invited to attend the following year´s conference. The second part of the NISPAcee Award ceremony also takes place during this session.

• Business Meeting is open to all conference participants, during which NISPAcee’s current activities and future plans are introduced and discussed. The General Assembly of NISPAcee members also meets during this time to vote on the relevant issues of the organisation including the election of Steering Committee members. 
  

3. Working Groups are the groups of researchers and/or professionals associated with NISPAcee who are investigating a particular public administration or public policy topics. A working group is characterized by common research interests, long-term research activities - usually several years - with the outcomes in the form of publications, conference e-proceedings or the best quality papers will be published in the NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy. Each working group is coordinated by WG coordinator/s - expert/s on given topic and this person designs the Working Group´s long-term agenda and select the papers submitted. The selection of the papers is based on quality chosen by the coordinator/s. Working Groups are created by proposals submitted, based on an announced conference call, and after they have been approved by the Steering Committee. The each Working Group meeting is scheduled at least one or more times during the conference.

4. Panels focus on a specialized topic, implemented only during the current conference. This consists of a presentation from each panellist, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience. The Panel is headed by chair/s. The proposal of a topic for the panel can be suggested either through a conference call or by the Steering Committee (see Call for Panel proposals). The purpose of the Panel and also the invitation to speakers at the Panel session are decided by chair/s. The conference includes:

• Informative panels (provide information on a current topic or disseminate the outcomes of projects, research activities and innovative programmes, etc. to conference participants). The call for informative panels has an ongoing character.
• Research panels (one-shot, with possible joint outputs). These panels can be organized either through an invitation or with a call for papers. The selection of the papers is based on quality chosen by the chair/s of the Panel. If there is any interest in carrying on the topic of this could be transferred to a working group at the next conference. The best papers from the Sessions are published in conference proceedings and the papers are published in conference e-proceedings and the best quality papers are published in the NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy.

5. Sessions bring together current topics and a wide-range of significant issues to the exchange knowledge, viewpoints and experience. Sessions have a repetitive character within the annual Conferences, but each year, the topic is different. Each presenter introduces his/her conference paper as an oral presentation, followed by questions / discussions, which may involve the audience. The session is moderated by the chair/s. The best papers from the Sessions are published in conference proceedings and the papers are published in conference e-proceedings and the best quality papers are published in the NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy. One of the results of the Session could be the establishment of a new Panel or Working Group.The Sessions can be any of the following:

• Main Conference Theme Session covers a core topic which reflects the key and current public administration and policy issues at each NISPAcee conference and is different every year. The Main Conference Theme is selected together with the local organizer and Steering Committee.
• General Session gives the opportunity to present high quality papers covering topics which go beyond the conference or working groups themes. The criteria for the presentation of this type of paper are scholarly quality, interest in the topic and must be from or about the NISPAcee region.

• Social events are very interesting, well-know networking events which help to build good relationship and friendship among the conference participnts. One of these events is very popular dinner with dancing and singing of the NISPAcee Anthem performed by conference participants.
• Special networking activities provide an opportunity for conference participants to build relationships with their fellow participants.