Newsroom
Conference on local government reform in Kosovo
PRISTINA 17 February 2003
PRISTINA, 17 February 2003 - The second of three conferences on decentralisation and reform of local government in Kosovo started in Pristina today.
The event, organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), is based on the idea that Kosovo needs efficient local government which is responsive to the needs of people.
Since the second municipal elections in October 2002, municipal governments have been gaining more competencies in administering local affairs, particularly in financial issues. With these greater responsibilities, the expectations of people have also grown and will need to be met by a new culture of local governance.
The guiding principles for 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 everyone.
This forum brings together both academics and practitioners from Kosovo, the wider region and abroad. Discussions will focus on providing alternatives to decision-makers, enabling local politicians to move forward in carrying out their responsibilities.
The recommendations from these conferences will be shared with the Council of Europe, which is taking the lead in developing suitable proposals for the reform of local government in Kosovo.
A press briefing will be held tomorrow following the conclusion of the forum on identifying the issues and developing options for local government reform.
Time: 16:00Date: 18 February 2003Location: 4th Floor Conference Room, OSCE Headquarters, Prishtine/Pristina.
The event, organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), is based on the idea that Kosovo needs efficient local government which is responsive to the needs of people.
Since the second municipal elections in October 2002, municipal governments have been gaining more competencies in administering local affairs, particularly in financial issues. With these greater responsibilities, the expectations of people have also grown and will need to be met by a new culture of local governance.
The guiding principles for 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 everyone.
This forum brings together both academics and practitioners from Kosovo, the wider region and abroad. Discussions will focus on providing alternatives to decision-makers, enabling local politicians to move forward in carrying out their responsibilities.
The recommendations from these conferences will be shared with the Council of Europe, which is taking the lead in developing suitable proposals for the reform of local government in Kosovo.
A press briefing will be held tomorrow following the conclusion of the forum on identifying the issues and developing options for local government reform.
Time: 16:00Date: 18 February 2003Location: 4th Floor Conference Room, OSCE Headquarters, Prishtine/Pristina.