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I OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AND CONVENTION

1.The General Assembly, in its resolution 57/277, designated 23 June as United Nations Public Service Day for the purpose of celebrating the value and virtue of service to the community at the local, national and global levels, with prizes awarded to public sector organizations for contributions made to the cause of enhancing the role, prestige and visibility of public service.

2.The United Nations Public Service Award is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide. Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service. It encourages exemplary public service and recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on a competent civil service.

3.On this day the Public Service celebrates the days across the world by engaging in different activities. Typical activities include: information days featuring stalls and booths about the public services; internal awards ceremonies within public service agencies or departments; and special announcements to honor Public Service Employees for outstanding performance.

4.Botswana celebrated the United Nations Public Service Day (UNPSD) since 2012, concurrently with the Botswana Public Service Convention. Following successful holding of the celebrations in the past two years in Gaborone, this year a mini-PSD will be held in Francistown culminating in the main one in Gaborone.

II 2014 Public Service Day and Convention Celebrations

The PSD will be held on the 19 & 20 June 2014 under the theme: “Innovating Public Governance for Sustainable Development – Continuous Improvement for Higher Customer Satisfaction”.

The two days event includes the following:

1.Stall exhibitions by Ministries show casing services that Ministries provide to the nation that is relevant to the theme.

2.Summary presentations of breakthrough projects of the best three teams and three best 10 Point Agenda projects on the Convention Day

3.Presentations and discussion on various topical issues.

4.A diner hosted to award certificates and prizes to outstanding Ministerial performers, Beauty Pageant, Performing Arts (Choral, Traditional music and Poetry) and Sports (Inter-Ministerial Games).

III The need to Participate

1. An all- inclusive Public Service Day

i.Public Service Employees (PSE) recognize and celebrate the day in recognition of their contribution to the development of the country. This year Districts will participate in the Choral and Beauty pageant converging and a mini-PSD celebration in Francistown. The vision is to ultimately hold celebrations in all districts involving all employees. Further, as the celebrations go on continual service provision is ensured and those that would be at work need to be creative and innovative in order to share in the celebrations whilst at work.

ii.Awardees/recipients should be allowed to bring their partners to witness the memorable event of receiving an award.

iii.The public should be involved as much as possible by providing service, as spectators and consumers where stalls will be displayed showcasing innovations and evolution in services provision.

2. Ownership of the day

i.Everyone should participate in every way at every level. Thus, every public service employee regardless of their job role should contribute in any way they can.

ii.Officers with passion to partake in any organizing committee activities and volunteer their talent for the success of the event. This is meant to nurture hidden talent and promote performing arts in the public service. We require people with the following talents: masters of ceremonies, DJs, commentators and judges for various performing arts, singers, stage rovers/men, aerobics instructor etc.