United Nations Public Service Day:
Bringing Back the Service in Public Service
Public or private organisations serve as public service providers by offering goods, services or programmes that benefit the community or society as a whole. These organisations play a crucial role in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, and their actions significantly impact the well-being of individuals and communities. In the current business environment, organisations are increasingly expected to consider the public good in every aspect of their activities regardless of their profit motive. This implies that organisations are not only responsible for generating profits or fulfilling their mission but also for contributing positively to society and addressing societal needs through their operations. This concept, often called social impact, emphasises the broader role that businesses and organisations play in promoting the well-being of society and the environment.
As the United Nations commemorates its public service day, “United Nations Public Service Day,” it is a good time for our organisations to remember the essence of public service and what it means to our daily operations and the bottom line.
Public service is a noble calling, a principle rooted in serving the greater good and improving the lives of others. In the development and humanitarian space, we commonly refer to individuals offering public service as community advocates or social activists. However, in recent years, the essence of community advocacy seems to have been overshadowed by bureaucracy, inefficiency, and a lack of focus on community engagement. It is time to restore the true value and virtue of social activism by recommitting to the ideals of integrity, compassion, and dedication to the common good. One of the key aspects of restoring the spirit of social service is redefining what it means to serve the public. Community advocates should see themselves not just as bureaucrats or administrators, but as stewards of the public trust, responsible for safeguarding the well-being of the community. This requires a shift in mindset, from viewing their service as a job to viewing it as a vocation—a calling to make a positive difference in the world.
Another crucial aspect of community advocacy is the need for community engagement. This is about listening to the needs and concerns of the community, building trust and partnerships, and working together to find solutions to common problems. When social activists, like you, engage with the community in a meaningful way, they better understand the challenges faced by the community and develop more effective and sustainable solutions. Such an engagement requires a high level of transparency and accountability on your part. You must be open and honest in your dealings, and be willing to be held accountable for your actions. This requires a commitment to ethical behaviour, integrity, and a willingness to admit mistakes and learn from them.
In today’s business landscape, all for-profit or non-profit organisations are called upon to serve the public in all aspects of their operations. This United Nations Public Service Day reminds organisations to have a genuine concern for the well-being of others and a willingness to go above and beyond to help those in need. This requires you to see the humanity in everyone and treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
