On 14 December 2015, Eurecna supported the organization of the second annual civil service conference on recent developments and future challenges facing the civil service in Palestine, within the framework of the EU-funded project “TA to support the Civil Service Reform in the West Bank and Gaza Strip”.

The conference was devoted to the actual issues of the development of the public administration and civil service in the Palestinian National Authority. Welcoming notes were given by Prime Minister Dr. Rami Al Hamdallah and the EU Representative Mr. Ralph Tarraf and the Chairman of the General Personnel Council (GPC) Mr. Mousa Abu Zeid presented the introductory report. Around 400 representatives from government ministries and agencies as well as international donors’ organisations participated in the Conference.

The first session of the conference focused on the new policy framework for development of the civil service in Palestine; the revised draft Law on Civil Service, developed in close cooperation between GPC, Palestinian institutions and EU project “TA to support the Civil Service Reform in the West Bank and Gaza Strip”, was presented.  The new draft Law on Civil Service is an important step forward, bringing civil service system in Palestine closer to developments of public administration in the European Union, the region and new developing democracies of the Middle East. Ms. Petersone, Eurecna Team Leader,  as well as speakers from PNA, stressed the importance of key principles of the civil service: political neutrality, professionalism, orientation towards the needs of society, transparency and accountability.
The second session dealt with more specific developments, trends and challenges in the civil service system in the Palestinian National Authority. Representatives from the GPC, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance presented and discussed recent initiatives on job classification systems, stressed the importance of efficient civil service by strengthening law enforcement, professionalism and modernisation of services.