UN PUBLIC SERVICE DAY
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UN PUBLIC SERVICE DAY
United Nations Public Service Day happens each year on June 23 to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community. In addition, the prestigious UN Public Service Awards are given on this day, too.
#UNPublicServiceDay
Public service is defined as a service intended for all members of the community. Areas of public service include the public sector, public safety, education, government and diplomacy, and nonprofit administration.
People choose to work or engage in public service for a variety of reasons. Some do it because they want to further the good of the public. For example, a lawyer might provide low-cost or free services for the public good. Other people work in public service to gain valuable work experience or for mentoring and networking opportunities.
The United Nations has long recognized the roles public service workers perform in their communities. For this reason, they established the UN Public Service Awards. The awards promote and reward innovation and excellence in public services. The winners of these awards are divided into five regional groups: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin American and the Caribbean, and Western Asia. More than 250 initiatives have received the prestigious award, ranging from promoting gender equality to improving health services.
HOW TO OBSERVE UN PUBLIC SERVICE DAY
United Nations Public Service Day recognizes the work of public servants and encourages young people to pursue a career in the public sector. The highlight of this day is the annual UN Public Service Awards ceremony. Cities around the world have host ceremonies, including New York City, Vienna, Barcelona, Seoul, The Hague, and Marrakesh in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Today, think about how different life would without public service workers in your community. Give a shout out to your favorite public servant and be sure to use #UnitedNationsPublicServiceDay when sharing on social media.
UN PUBLIC SERVICE DAY HISTORY
The UN General Assembly designated June 23 as United Nations Public Service Day in 2003. It was during this time the UN also launched the UN Public Service Awards. The date of June 23 was chosen to mark the anniversary of the Convention on Labor Relations (1978).