The economic and financial crisis has forced the governments of the Member States of the European Union to rethink the degree of public intervention and public sector reform and the reform of the public sector now seems to be a cross-cutting objective with which European leaders have to grapple time and again. Many have given much thought to the new face the public service should have and the human resources policies to be conducted.
Demographic change, the rise in immigration, the increase in the number of women in active employment and changing attitudes with regard to certain values are all contributing to the diversity of profiles amongst public sector workers.

Given this context, how can we promote diversity and prevent discrimination within the public service in Europe? How can we attract a broad spectrum of people whilst still guaranteeing fair access to the public service? And, consequently, what attention needs to be paid to career development if we want to ensure fair promotions and a better level of diversity when it comes to the highest posts? Above and beyond preventing discrimination, must guaranteeing this diversity encourage us to resort to positive discrimination? Finally, what forms of mobility can be encouraged to serve this desire for diversity?

These questions will form the focal point of the exchanges and will provide plenty of food for thought for the national social partners present. CESI intends to use the conference to make its contribution to a debate where a great deal is at stake if one thinks of the fact that a well-performing administration is an essential prerequisite for economic prosperity and social cohesion in every Member State of the European Union.