The reform of public administration enters new phase as almost 300 clerks who will work at the government service points ( or ’windows’) received their diplomas yesterday in Budapest.
During the graduation ceremony Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Justice said he deeply acknowledges all the efforts the clerks who already have experience and years of practice in customer service were willing to take part in the courses of The National University of Public Service in order to learn new knowledge and techniques to serve citizens. He added the public administration and justice implemented more changes than any other ministry: county government offices were created January 2011, and January 2013 saw the creation of 175 regional district offices and 23 metropolitan district offices.
On 1 January 2011 a new system of government service points (or ‘windows’) were set up, which enable citizens to arrange their affairs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. At each of these centres citizens can arrange official matters in a single office closer to their places of residence. In Hungary more than 6000 clerks entered the university training program to be able to work at the new ‘government windows’.
The Hungarian public administration reforms were launched in 2010 with the aim to create the Good State. The Government’s aim was to bring the state and public administration closer to people, and one of the tangible developments in this process is that so-called ‘government windows’ which gradually will be opened in further locations across the country in 2014.
Mr Navracsics said the clerks who will work at the government service points are essentially needed to make the reforms of public administration and to create the „Good state” which serves its citizens.
Hungarian reforms were planned and carried out in the frame of Hungary’s Magyary Public Administration Development Programme, which is gaining international reputation. The OECD sees it to be exceptional compared to public administration programmes in other countries, it is far-reaching and comprehensive, and can therefore provide others with valuable know-how.
(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)
