THE PURPOSE OF THIS TRAINING MATERIAL
"Human Resource Development". This phrase has a good resonance and few would question its importance. In the public sector, in particular, where science and technology have little influence over the level of service, the quality of human resources is the main determining factor. The workforce in most public organizations consists mainly of career officials who continue to work through to retirement age. How to develop the skills of employees working in organizations such as these is extremely important.
In light of this, most governments attempt to continually update and improve their methods of human resource development. There is no universal remedy as to how to solve this. Every available means and opportunity should therefore be employed to develop good personnel. This training material aims to supplement this process, by providing a mode of guidance to government employees.
A good attitude is essential, if public officials are to win public trust. This material deals with the basic principles of conduct expected from government employees such as awareness of responsibility, codes of ethics and how to guide junior staff. Perhaps it seems strange, in this modern age, for training to concentrate on basic elements such as these. Awareness of these principles and acting on these principles, however, are two entirely different things. In order to maintain public trust in government administration, each employee must behave in a manner appropriate to the fundamental character of the public service. The purpose of this training material is to introduce these basic principles and to encourage trainees to follow the guidelines on conduct contained therein.
Some of you may question whether it is plausible or not to create a uniform text on the responsibilities of public officials and government ethics for countries which so radically differ in government styles, political systems, culture and religion. Others may argue that making employees aware of these basic concepts and ensuring that they put them into practice is next to impossible. In response to this, it can be said, for example, that efficient government administration relies on methodology, as opposed to philosophy, to achieve greater results at the expense of fewer resources. The difference that exists between governments is a minor factor in the universal quest for efficiency. In respect to ethics, each person, as an individual, is influenced by the social, political & economic situation of their country, their own private lives and indeed every circumstance that surrounds them. Government ethics, however, require a level of discipline that steps well beyond these personal differences.
Some of this material is very unique to Japan. Different countries may find certain lessons more useful than others but we encourage you to look at alternatives throughout. The Japanese experience is introduced in certain topics to offer a different perspective.
