On June 5, 2018 at the premises of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service (NAUCS) the Round Table “Civil Service in Ukraine and Positive Image Formation in the Context of European Integration” dedicated to the 100 th anniversary of the civil service of Ukraine was held.
NAUCS jointly with the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union with support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine were organized the Round Table.
During the opening of the Event, Head of the NAUCS Konstantin Vashchenko in his introductory speech emphasized the importance of the historical aspect in the development of state-building. The key to our future is the experience, traditions and values. 100 years ago, the Central Rada proclaimed the creation of a Ukrainian state and passed several laws that regulate the activities of the civil service in Ukraine. The events of 1917-1921 have become a major challenge for the people and the authorities.
After the revival of Ukrainian statehood this tradition was continued. Indeed, Ukraine was the first of the post-Soviet states to adopt the law on civil service in 1993. This law was imperfect, transitional, but it laid the foundations and traditions of 100 years ago. Today, the civil service institute is improving and revolutionary steps have been taken to allow every citizen who has the knowledge and skills to become a civil servant.
In turn, Project Leader of Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Romania Daniel Seiberling noted that Ukraine should continue to implement initiated reform of public administration. Because an effective system of public administration is a key factor both for the further successful and sustained internal political development of Ukraine and for the further European integration.
The experience of European states in particular Germany (Bavaria), shows that the building of a democratic society requires innovative approaches to the formation of a democratic development strategy, taking into account European standards, including, first of all, public administration.
Civil service reform is one of the key reforms, because without efficient employees and good management it is impossible to build a strong, economically developed and democratic state. In order to successfully implement the public administration reform, it is important to train highly qualified and well-educated civil servants. They should become the basis for the reform of state institutions, the development of effective, oriented to the needs of citizens public administration.
Head of the Professional Union of Employees of State Institutions of Ukraine Yurii Pizhuk spoke about the results of the society's assessment of the professional activities of civil servants, as well as their impact on the image of the civil service.
Director of Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union Maryna Kanavets, in turn, presented the experience of cooperation of the NAUCS with the Representative Office of Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine within the framework of the civil service reform and the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Civil Service” dated December 10, 2015, No. 889- VII and professionalization of civil servants and local self-government officials.
Additionally, during the First Panel Discussion Director of Chernihiv Center for Retraining and Advanced Training for Representatives of Government Authorities, Local Self-Government Authorities, State Enterprises, Institutions and Organizations “Siverskyi Center of Postgraduate Education” Volodymyr Boiko spoke about historical experience and administrative traditions of civil service reforming during the Hetman's Pavlo Skoropadsky reign and presented an exhibition of archival materials, “Ukraine and Germany in 1918-1923” timed to the centenary of diplomatic relations establishment.
Adviser to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Roksolana Pidlasa presented the National Program of Internship at Central Executive Authorities aimed at enhancing the image of the civil service and understanding of the functioning of the public administration system, reducing the barrier of entry into the civil service for modern youth and developing the leadership qualities of civil servants already working in Executive Authorities.
During the Second panel discussion devoted to Relevant Issues on Professional Training and Development of Civil Servants, Local Self-Government Officials and Local Council Deputies Rector of Personnel Training Institute of State Employment Service of Ukraine Radmyla Voitovych, spoke about the influence of the competent approach (meritocracy) on the development of a positive image of the civil service and the main tasks and challenges in implementing a competent approach in the processes of personnel management in the civil service.
Professor of the Department Chair of Public Administration and Educational Management of State Higher Educational Institution “University of Educational Management” of National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine Nataliia Klokar presented modern approaches to the training and professional development of civil servants and local government officials, as well as Coordinator of the “Lingva.Skills” Project Nataliia Zhezhuk presented the Main Achievements and Challenges of Implementation of the Social Project for Foreign Languages Learning “Lingva.Skills”.
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the All-Ukrainian Youth NGO “Union of Young Civil Servants of Ukraine” Pavlo Bilonozhko spoke about mechanisms of involving youth for Improving the efficiency of the civil service”.
In addition, within the framework of the Round Table the textbook “Organization of Civil Servant’s Activities” was presented. The textbook was developed jointly by the NAUCS and Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union with the support (assistance) of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Romania within the framework of celebration the centenary of the establishment the Civil Service of Ukraine.
Representatives of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, personnel management services of the central executive authorities, teachers and students of master's degree in the field of Public Management and Administration, representatives of retraining and upgrading centers of public authorities, EU Delegation to Ukraine and the countries- EU member states, civil society institutions, international and national experts attended the event.
