The Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA) is inviting nominations for Co-Chairs of the LPSA Expert Working Group on Asia.
We welcome nominations of individuals with relevant experience, expertise, networks or an interest in decentralization and multilevel governance in Asia. Self-nominations are welcome.
We particularly encourage nominations that would strengthen the Working Group’s geographic, institutional, professional, disciplinary and gender diversity. Given its existing representation from South Asia, nominations from East Asia and Southeast Asia are especially encouraged, while nominations from all parts of Asia remain welcome.
About the LPSA Asia Working Group
The Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA) is a global professional network of advocates for inclusive and efficient decentralization and localization. It is grounded in the recognition that decentralization and localization are critical to achieving resilient, inclusive, sustainable, equitable, and efficient development. The Alliance brings together practitioners, scholars, and citizens from around the world to elevate the global debate on decentralization and local governance through knowledge development, knowledge sharing, convening, outreach, and field-building.
LPSA advances this mission through a network of Regional and Thematic Expert Working Groups. Asia’s diverse and rapidly changing governance landscape presents both significant opportunities and complex challenges for decentralization and multilevel governance. Countries across the region are experimenting with different approaches to sharing authority, resources, and responsibilities across levels of government while facing common challenges, including rapid urbanization, climate change, uneven development, and the need for more inclusive and responsive governance.
Knowledge and experience, however, often remain fragmented across countries. This creates an important opportunity for government officials, policy practitioners, researchers, civil society organizations, development partners, and citizens to learn from one another and strengthen the evidence base for effective multilevel governance. The LPSA Expert Working Group on Asia provides a regional platform to help address this gap. Through exchange and collaboration, the Working Group seeks to contribute to a stronger regional Community of Practice.
What Do Asia Working Group Co-Chairs Do?
Each LPSA Working Group is co-chaired by three or four volunteers who seek to elevate the global debate on decentralization and localization by engaging with colleagues from different countries, institutions, and disciplines. As responsibilities are shared among the Co-Chairs, the time commitment for each individual is relatively limited.
Co-Chairs help guide the Working Group’s priorities and activities and support engagement among its members. They also help the Working Group assess, advance, and share knowledge on relevant governance and development issues in Asia.
Its activities include:
- Working Group meetings, through which members share updates on decentralization and related public sector reforms across the region and identify priorities of mutual interest;
- Knowledge-sharing activities, including webinars, roundtables, blog posts, and other initiatives that keep members and the wider global community of practice informed about relevant reforms, trends, experiences, and policy research in Asia;
- Knowledge development and peer learning, including research and collaborative initiatives that mobilize the Working Group’s collective expertise and connect members with relevant LPSA resources and other Working Groups; and
- Regional policy dialogue and relationship-building, bringing together practitioners, researchers, development partners, and other stakeholders to exchange comparative experiences and strengthen regional connections.
The Working Group’s priorities are shaped by the interests of its members and by evolving governance challenges and opportunities across Asia. It operates as a volunteer-led platform, with activities shaped by member engagement, partnerships, and available resources. The Working Group is supported by a part-time Working Group Coordinator.
Who Can Be Nominated?
We welcome nominations of individuals who:
- have relevant interest, experience, or expertise in decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, local governance, local development, or related areas;
- have professional experience, knowledge, or connections relevant to governance issues in Asia;
- are interested in engaging with colleagues from different countries, institutions, and disciplines; and
- are willing to contribute to the Working Group’s knowledge-sharing, peer-learning, and regional dialogue activities.
Nominees may come from government, academia, civil society, development organizations, policy and practitioner communities, or other relevant professional backgrounds.
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations for Co-Chairs may be submitted through LPSA’s online suggestions form or by email to the LPSA Asia Working Group Coordinator at limabenla@decentralization.net.
Each nomination should include:
- the nominee’s name;
- organization or affiliation;
- country;
- contact details; and
- a brief explanation of the nominee’s relevant experience and interest in serving as a Co-Chair of the LPSA Expert Working Group on Asia.
Nominations should be received by 25 October 2026 to receive full consideration.
Joining LPSA Working Groups
LPSA Regional and Thematic Working Group meetings are open to LPSA’s membership and to the general public. You can join any Regional or Thematic Working Group and receive reminders and updates from the Working Group by opting-in to the working group as part of your free LPSA Membership registration.
