United Nations Public Service Day 2021

 

United Nations Public Service Day

জাতিসংঘের পাবলিক সার্ভিস দিবস

United Nations Public Service Day

জাতিসংঘের পাবলিক সার্ভিস দিবস

The United Nations’ Public Service Day is held on June 23 each year. It recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on the foundation of a competent civil service. The day aims to celebrate the value and virtue of service to the community.

What it mean in Public Life

Public Service Day is a GLOBAL OBSERVANCE and not a public holiday.

Background of UN Public Service Day

On December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 23 of each year as United Nations Public Service Day (resolution 57/277). It encouraged member states to organize special events on that day to highlight the contribution of public service in the development process.

This day was created to: celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants; and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector.

Symbols of UN Public Service Day

The United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN) uses a special logo for Public Service Day. It features two columns, one on the left side and one on the right side, and in between are a pair of hands outlined in orange in a flame-like manner. These hands surround three blue human figures. The figure in the middle depicts a woman and the two other figures, one on each side of the woman, are male. The word “Public”, which joins the two columns, is written above the heads of the figures, which are standing on or supported by the word “Service” in capital letters, which joins the two columns. A smaller version of UNPAN’s main logo is located above the word “Public”.

Celebrating the 2021 United Nations Public Service Day

In this context, to celebrate the 2021 United Nations Public Service Day, the Division of Public Institutions and Digital Government of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the government of the United Arab Emirates will host a 1.5 hour virtual event on the 23 June under the theme of “Innovating the Future Public Service: New Government Models for a New Era to Reach the SDGs”. The event will bring together key stakeholders, public servants and UN officials to honor the work of public servants.

Secretary General's message for  2021

“United Nations Public Service Day honors the hundreds of millions of public servants across the globe who dedicate themselves to ensuring the wellbeing of our communities. As the world continues to face the devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic, their work is more important than ever.

This year’s observance highlights digital innovations in public services.

From telecommuting to online teaching to telemedicine, public servants have mobilized digital technologies to ensure the continuation of public services across all sectors despite the challenging and life-threatening circumstances of the pandemic.

Yet, while many governments have been able to move more and more of public services online, others have struggled. Globally, the digital divides persist. Not only do many people lack access to reliable broadband internet, but many others face barriers to accessing digital technology or don’t have the skills needed to access and navigate online public services effectively.

As public service delivery becomes increasingly digital, we must ensure that public servants have the necessary skills. We must also ensure that all persons, including persons with disabilities and other groups facing exclusion, are able to access to online services. We will fully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals only when no one is left offline.

As we mark Public Service Day, let us continue to recognize, support and invest in our public servants both on- and off-line. Let our public servants be empowered to serve.”- António Guterres.

 

United Nations Public Service Awards 2021

The United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) recognizes excellence in public service at the local, regional and national levels. It was launched in 2003 in order to promote and support innovations in public service delivery With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)1 , the UNPSA is focused on promoting and recognising transformative action that promotes creativity and innovation in public service delivery and the work of public sector institutions to enhance effectiveness, transparency and inclusiveness to leave no one behind.

Aims of UNPSA

Through a global competition that promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service, the UNPSA aims to:

✔Highlight innovations in governance

✔Reward excellence in the public sector

✔Motivate public servants to further promote innovation

✔Enhance professionalism in the public service

✔Raise the image of public service

✔Collect and disseminate successful practices for possible replication

Award

Up to five winners can be selected under each category of the Awards. Winners are considered within their UN regional groups2 as follows:

✔Africa

✔Asia and the Pacific

✔Latin America and the Caribbean

✔Eastern Europe

✔Western Europe and other Groups

Eligibility

✔The Award is open to all public-sector institutions at the national, sub-national and local levels from all UN member states. In the case of partnerships (including civil society, private sector, academia etc.), the nominee must be a public-sector institution

✔Both self-nomination and nomination by third parties are accepted. Applications should be made by an organization

✔The initiative must be innovative and relevant to one of the UN Public Service Awards categories

✔The initiative must have been implemented for a minimum of two years, with demonstrated and documented impact

✔The application must be duly filled out

✔The submission must include all the required supporting documents

✔The initiative must not have already received a UNPS Award

✔To avoid conflict of interest, the initiative must not be implemented by the United Nations System

Categories

Category 1: Fostering innovation to deliver inclusive and equitable services for all including through digital transformation

Category 2: Enhancing the effectiveness of public institutions to reach the SDGs

Category 3: Promoting gender-responsive public services to achieve the SDGs

Category 4: Institutional preparedness and response in times of crisis

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