PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK 2000 FINAL SEMINARS

PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK 2000 FINAL SEMINARS

The programme of Public Service Week resumed today with the last two seminars in the series that have been organised for the occasion.

Both seminars were facilitated by Dr Ari Sihvola, Director of EU Skills and International Management at the Finnish Institute of Public Management. This institute is a partner body of the Staff Development Organisation at the Office of the Prime Minister in Malta.

The first seminar was a specialised session for officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. It dealt with the changes which took place in this ministry's Finnish counterpart following Finland's entry to the European Union. The key change was the adoption of the Common Agricultural Policy and the creation of machinery to administer it. Training, said Dr Sihvola, has to be provided as part of a clearly defined strategy which must be drawn up with the direct participation of senior management, also bearing in mind best practices in other EU member states.

The final seminar was a plenary session for senior officials throughout Government. It dealt with the management reforms which are currently under way in the European Commission, and the role of training as an adjunct to reform. Dr Sihvola explained that attitudes to reform among civil servants within the Commission vary widely, and cultural differences between officials from the various member states have had to be taken into account in the design of reforms and the delivery of related training efforts. The reforms are wide-ranging and their implementation will take considerable time.

Both seminars were organised by the Staff Development Organisation and held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.