Public Service Week 2009
Sunday, 21st June, 2009
Today marks the commencement of Public Service Week in the British Virgin Islands – a time set aside to recognize and thank the many who serve the public; and to highlight the services that are offered in our various government ministries and departments through open house activities and career days.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Working Towards a ‘World Class’ Public Service through Continuous Change.”
One may ask, ‘What does it mean to be a ‘World Class’ Public Service?’ There is no easy answer to that question. It means adopting best practices of increased efficiency and accountability; becoming a results-based organization that is customer-focused; and providing the highest standards of service at all times. It means adapting our culture to one in which service and results become our very essence. It means taking the time to reward and recognize employees for jobs well done. And it means looking after our employees and managing them in ways intended to raise and maintain high morale. Hence, the need to continuously evolve to meet the growing demands of customers, stakeholders and staff in an increasingly competitive global economic environment.
Many people take for granted the services offered by our public organizations. It is not unknown for both the providers and recipients of public service to tolerate second-rate standards with a shrug of the shoulder. Not surprisingly, public service is sometimes seen as an unglamorous career choice. But I could not disagree more strongly with this view. The best public services attract the best people and offer the most rewarding of careers. That is what we aspire to achieve in the BVI. And that is why we must bring attention to the work of this sector on occasions such as Public Service Week.
So why do we need “Continuous Change”. In short, it is because we have not yet achieved the standards just described. In some areas of government, we are close to those standards. The Departments and Ministries whose record of service matches the best know who they are. So do the public. It would be inappropriate here to single them out for special mention. But it is clear that one feature that is common to all such high achieving departments is a recognition that they too have to change to remain at the cutting edge of success.
What applies to the very best applies equally to those struggling to reach a respectable standard. Few would challenge the proposition that the BVI has too many such departments. Again, I will not embarrass anyone by naming the low achievers. It is these areas of government that mostly call for our support and encouragement. And I am confident that with a collective effort by managers and employees and a defined change agenda we can reach and surpass the desirable standard of service across government. It may not be easy. It will certainly require constant effort and a culture of continuous change. But it can be done. And the Deputy Governor is at this very moment developing ideas expressly designed to breathe new life into our change plans.
All that said the schedule of activities during this Public Service week promises to be an exciting one with a full slate of events planned for Tortola as well as on the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Whether you take part in a church service, a health walk, a sporting event or an awards ceremony, remember to celebrate in the spirit of unity and service.
At this point, I am delighted to officially declare Public Service Week 2009 in the British Virgin Islands open.
David Pearey
Governor
British Virgin Islands News