OSCE Mission helps organize international conference on local government reform in Kosovo

PRISTINA, 5 June 2005 - A two-day conference focusing on local government reform will begin in Prishtine/Pristina tomorrow, organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo in co-operation with the PISG Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and the United Nations Development Program.

The purpose of this conference is to share experience between the governmental institutions and municipalities of Kosovo with other South-East European countries and bring together both academics and practitioners from Kosovo, the wider region and abroad.

Discussions will focus on three main areas: democratic functioning of municipal institutions; multi-ethnic communities and good experiences both in and out of Kosovo; and economic sustainability.

The guiding principles to local government reform are to bring services and decision making closer to the public and to enable the public to influence and shape the design of those services.

This will assist in providing more effective and responsible local management and improve the delivery of public services to all people.

Recommendations from the conference, which is taking place during a period when municipal governance reform in Kosovo is under active consideration and discussion, will provide alternatives to decision-makers, enabling local politicians to move forward in carrying out their responsibilities.

Media representatives are invited to attend the conference, which begins at 10.00, on Monday, June 6 at the Hotel Grand in Prishtine/Pristina. The event will end on Tuesday, June 7.