This is my weblog about Customs Capacity Building. Capacity Building means modernization. It is about building sustainable institutional capacity to manage change over time. Political will, ownership and leadership are essential key mechanisms needed for successful Capacity Building. Capacity Building is not technical assistance and training. These are important components of a capacity Building model, but real Capacity Building is more than that. In addition, Capacity Building is never a quick fix to solve urgent problems - it is about long-term commitment for constant change. Capacity Building is very concrete and it is about delivering results. In fact, implementation is not as complicated and difficult as many people say. It is about having a strategic approach on how to identify the real needs and the priorities of an organization and having a structured way on how to address the challenges.
Further more Capacity Building is never about experts imparting knowledge to others, instead it is based on the concept of everyone learning together with input from people who have special expertise and experience. It isn’t a process where an organization external to the process can determine the final outcome. Over the last years I have had the privilege to lead, manage and work with capacity building, Customs reform and modernization in more than 115 countries. I have visited more than 140 countries. It has been a great experience and I have learned a lot. I am more convinced than ever that building real capacity on the ground is one of the most efficient ways of creating sustainable development. I have seen it happen, it works.
On this website you will find information, news, thoughts and ideas about Capacity Building. You will also find my own personal view on Customs Capacity Building and many other things, I hope you enjoy it.
