“The digital transformation of public administration cannot only be carried out externally but has to be carried out from within, with the strength and skills of public servants working there. All successes achieved so far are based on a change of the way of thinking both in public administration and among citizens, who have recognized the benefits of digital transformation,” said Minister Marija Obradović today at a hybrid conference called “Innovation in Public Administration – a Matter of Choice,” organized by the National Academy of Public Administration, and with the support of the French National School of Administration (ENA) and the French Embassy in Serbia.
She stated that, in the past nine years, Serbia has recognized the importance that digital technologies have for the growth and development of the economy, the modernization of public administration, and, most importantly, for improving the quality of life for citizens. Although young, eGovernment in our country has achieved a lot, and success followed as a consequence of strong digitalization and investment in the knowledge and skills of public servants, said Obradović.
As one of the greatest successes and the best examples of the way innovative technologies of the public sector serve the well-being of citizens, the Minister pointed out the process of mass immunization of the population against Covid-19, carried out in Serbia with strong support from eGovernment.
“We are immensely proud to be a global leader in vaccinating the population, but I must emphasize that the battle against Covid-19 has not yet been won and we will do everything in our power to make our eGovernment the foundation of that final victory,” said Obradović.
She stated that the Ministry recognized the value of innovations and therefore implemented an overall reform of professional development in the public administration. The National Academy of Public Administration has been established, with uniform criteria, criteria and standards and equal access to the right to the professional development of all employees have been introduced, the most modern forms of professional training are used, and training programs aimed at acquiring practical and applicable knowledge and skills are permanently going through the process of innovation.
With the eGovernment development program in the Republic of Serbia, as well as the new Public Administration Reform Strategy, one of the top goals is to build a state-of-the-art digital administration, an administration that will provide services that fully meet user needs through efficiency and innovation, Obradović concluded.