The meanings of public administration, inclusive governance and sustainable development in a globalized context are reviewed in order to explore how public administration can ensure sustainable development in the contexts of limited resources, poverty and inequality. The key argument is that sustainable development will remain an imaginary exercise unless attention is given to building institutional capacity. The discussion moves beyond an examination of the role of the state in facilitating sustainable development to explore options for service delivery that address poverty and exclusion. Of key importance in exploring the theme of quality governance for sustainable development is the role of government in supporting institutions and building institutional capacity. This strategy would need to be targeted not simply at the institutions of the state - schools, hospitals and agencies - but also at the institutions of civil society. A reinvestment in public institutions may ensure sustainability in the context of limited resources.
