NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY IS OBSERVED ON THE 23RD OF JUNE EVERY YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE VALUE AND VIRTUE OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Ladies and gentlemen and esteemed members of the Public Service, It is with great pleasure and profound honor that I address you today on the occasion of Public Service Day 2024. The United Nations Public Service Day is observed on the 23rd of June every year to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community. This year, we are continuing with the local theme, “Public Service Modernization, Repositioning, and Rebranding the Public Service to Improve Service Delivery”. This theme is both timely and significant as we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of public administration and service delivery.
The Department of the Public Service in recent times has undertaken the mammoth and ambitious task to transform our operations and service delivery. The public can expect to see significant changes in the legislation governing the public service. For example, we have embarked on a Strategic Plan and Operations Manual that will be used to chat this new direction. After all, The Department of the Public Service is considered the “back bone” of the public service and so, the intention is to ensure that we step up our efforts to remain relevant and efficient.
We have made significant investments in several areas such as: our Human Resources, Organizational Development, Facilities Management, and Training, to name a few. The Training Division plays a vital role in providing and facilitating professional development courses for public officers. In the area of technology, the Division of Public Sector Modernization is continuing to push the digitization of services offered to the public through the digiGov Project.
In St. Lucia, the United Nations Public Service Day is being commemorated with activities spanning an entire week from June 17 to June 23. Activities include “Job Shadowing” at respective government agencies for 3rd and 4th form students, “Mingle Tuesday”, and “Staff Appreciation and Recognition Day”. On Friday, June 21 is “Wear Orange Day”. An Ecumenical Church Service will also be held on that day at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Castries, from 9:30 am. This will be followed by a grand fair at the Derek Walcott Square, where ministries will showcase their new initiatives and services to the public. The week-long activities will culminate on Sunday, June 23, with a Fun Walk starting at 6:00 am from Courts Marisule to the SAB Vigie Playing Field.
The highlight of Public Service Day 2024 however, is the “Minister’s Top Performer Awards” to be held at a later date.
As Minister for the Public Service, I applaud our public officers for their dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of our citizens, and to the sustainable development of our country. The public service must evolve to meet new challenges and seize emerging opportunities.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and service. Here’s to a successful and inspiring Public Service Week!