On September 20–21, 2018 the Х Annual Richelieu Academic Readings: “Civil Service of Ukraine: Traditions and Innovations” were held in Odessa.
The event was organized by the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, the Center for Adaptation of the Civil Service to the Standards of the European Union, the National Academy for Public Administration under the President of Ukraine, the Odessa Regional Institute for Public Administration of the National Academy for Public Administration under the President of Ukraine, the Odessa Regional State Administration, the Odessa Regional Council, the Odessa City Council with the participation and support of the EU Project “Support to Comprehensive Public Administration Reform in Ukraine” (EU4PAR), the Swiss-Ukrainian Decentralization Support Project (DESPRO), the Representative Office of Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine, the Council of Europe Programme “Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Reform in Ukraine” and the “U-LEAD with Europe” Programme.
The main goal of the event was a comprehensive discussion of the results of the implementation of the reform of public administration and civil service; political, socio-economic and managerial challenges related to the service reform in local self-government authorities, strengthening the capacity of representatives of these authorities in order to perform their functions in conditions of decentralization of power and elaboration of proposals for further ways of formation of a positive image and attractiveness of civil service and service in local self-government authorities.
On September 21, 2018, during the opening ceremony of the Richelieu Academic Readings, it was noted that the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service, in order to attract public attention to the traditions and professional achievements of the Ukrainian civil service in the context of common European principles, conducted over 160 communicative activities in all Ukrainian regions, organized 60 thematic exhibitions, as well as developed the exposition “100th Anniversary of the Civil Service in Ukraine”, which represents the key stages of the development of a professional and politically neutral civil service in Ukraine according to the European standards.
Head of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service Kostiantyn Vashchenko in his opening speech outlined that over the years this event has become an internationally recognized platform for the exchange of knowledge, best practices and innovations in the of public service sphere. Deputy Head of Odessa Regional Council Yurii Dimchoglo also presented their welcoming speeches.
Special guest of the event, Head of the Main Department of Civil Service of Ukraine in 2003–2011, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor, Member (Academician) of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine Tymofii Motrenko, who was the author of the idea of the launching of the Richelieu Academic Readings, underlined that this event became an effective platform for discussing the state of reforming of public administration and local self-governance, analysis of future trends and opportunities facing the Ukrainian civil service.
The ceremony of the special cancellation of the stamp and thematic envelope “100 Years of Civil Service”, that were released by Ukrposhta on the occasion of the solemn commemoration of a memorable date, took place during the X Annual Richelieu Academic Readings.
The participants of the event discussed lessons of the history formation and traditions of the Ukrainian civil service, achievements and challenges of the civil service reform implementation, ways and means of ensuring real demand for research in the area of “Public Administration and Management”, personnel capacity of decentralization reform during the round table “Economic Growth and European Integration: Challenges for Civil Service” and three panel discussions “Decentralization: Can Personnel Solve All the Issues?”, “Professional Development of Public Servants: What Should be Taught and How?”, “Reform and Science: How to Provide Real Demand for Research in the Area of Public Administration?”.
Heads of human resources management services of the ministries, other central executive authorities, representatives of local self-government authorities, united territorial communities, higher educational establishments that provide professional training for Master’s degree in “Public Administration and Management”, representatives of centers for retraining and advanced training for representatives of government authorities, local self-government authorities, state enterprises, institutions and organizations, civil society institutes, Ukrainian and international experts took part in the event.
For reference: Richelieu Academic Readings were initiated by the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as of 02 September, 2009 No 1765-r in order to ensure the systematic dialogue between the government, scientists and the public on the urgent issues of reforming of civil service and service in local self-government authorities.
The aim of the event is to discuss current issues of reforming public administration and civil service on the basis of European principles of public administration.
