EU COMMISSION SPONSORSHIP OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS PARTICIPATING IN SEMINARS ORGANISED BY THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

In October 2000, the Malta Government, represented by the Staff Development Organisation in the Office of the Prime Minister, became an associate member of the European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht, Netherlands. 

EIPA is a unique establishment, poised between the training needs of the European institutions, the Member States of the European Union and the countries that have applied for accession.  It serves public administrations in their adaptation to the European integration process.  Established in Maastricht in 1981 and having two antennae, one in Luxembourg and one in Barcelona, EIPA is a European instrument for training public officials.  It complements and enriches this primary activity through applied research conducted by its scientific staff, and through consultancy for national and regional administrations. 

Malta's membership of EIPA has enabled the Public Service to cooperate in the field of training and research in administrative science.  It has also facilitated the participation of Maltese public officers, lawyers and judges or other experts, in EIPA activities, and created a position at EIPA for a Maltese national to carry out research in areas of national interest such as environment policy and the Euro-Med process. 

EIPA's training activities are primarily targeted at public officials who exercise a high level of responsibility in public administration.  Because of their involvement in the managerial aspects and decision-making processes, public officials are directly affected by European Union developments.  This applies both to Member and Candidate States. 

In general, EIPA's training enhances the knowledge of public officials of European affairs and their understanding of issues related to the process of European integration.  EIPA also helps to accelerate and foster European integration through better mutual understanding between the Member and Candidate States.  Its activities also enable public officials to anticipate developments which will affect their administration in the short term. 

Seventeen Maltese officials have participated in seminars organised by EIPA since November 2000.  Hereunder are the titles of some of the seminars: Achieving Better Procurement Practices in Europe, Integration of Environmental Policy with other Policies, Managing EU Structural Funds and The Common Agricultural Policy and the Environmental Challenge.  All expenses connected with the participation of Maltese officials at the seminars were borne by the EU Commission. 

Through the SDO's associate membership of EIPA, and in collaboration with the Ministry for Justice and Local Government, Malta is also participating in the horizontal programme entitled Training of Judges in EC Law. The overall objective of this programme is to support the capacity building for the effective and efficient administration of Community law.