Civil Servant Competency Development at the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs: Current Situation and Policy Directions

Abstract

Ethnic affairs, belief, and religion constitute a highly specific area of state governance, characterized by diverse and sensitive management subjects closely associated with the great national unity bloc. This places increasingly demanding requirements on the civil servants of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, not only in terms of professional expertise but also in policy advisory capacity, implementation capability, and adaptability to modern governance requirements. Based on the theoretical framework of civil servant competency and an analysis of the current situation of civil servants at the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs during the 2023–2025 period, the study indicates that the civil service workforce has gradually become more standardized in terms of professional qualifications, demonstrates a certain degree of ethnic diversity, and has begun adapting to digital transformation requirements. However, several limitations remain, including uneven digital competency, limited proficiency in ethnic minority languages, and disparities in practical understanding as well as in the ability to address emerging issues in ethnic and religious affairs. On that basis, the article proposes several directions for developing the competency of civil servants at the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in a more comprehensive manner to better meet state governance demands in the new context.