Public discussion over a proposal

A strategy for cooperation with the civil sector
 

A public discussion over the proposal-strategy for cooperation with the civil sector took place on 30 November 2006 in Skopje between the civil society representatives and the Macedonian Government. Daniela Trajanovska, Secretary General at the Macedonian Government and Lugi Sandrin, Head of the European Agency for Reconstruction spoke at the event in from of the number of interesting attendees.

“Being aware of the importance of the democratic expression, the efficiency and the capacities of the civil society organization, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia is incorporating the bases of cooperation with the civil society organization and makes efforts for systematic strengthening of the basic conditions for faster and more efficient development of this sector”, said Trajanivska i her speech. Suzana Nikodijevikj – Filipovska, Policy and Coordination Analysis Sector Manager at the Macedonian Government and Elizabeta Nedanovska, Head of the NGO Cooperation Department have also taken part in the discussion. “There is neither democracy nor national solidarity without a social dialogue or without a functional system of presenting the interests and a strong civil society”, said Nikodijavikj – Filipovska. “The preparation of the proposal-strategy has been largely participative and it is a result of the CARDS team activities on the CARDS project “Technical assistance to NGO Cooperation Department at the Macedonian Government”, realized through the European Agency for Reconstruction in cooperation with COWI from Denmerk, INTRAC from Great Britain and the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation, as well as with representatives from the relevant state institutions and civil sector representatives selected by the Macedonian Civic Platform”, she added. The most important role of the NGO Cooperation Department is to coordinate the realization of the civil society cooperation strategy. The proposal-strategy text was presented by Natasha Gaber- Damjanovska. The whole text in a pdf format can be downloaded on www.gragansisvet.org.mk.

The NGO representatives could direct their remarks and suggestion to the team that worked on the strategy text after the presentation. Those were usually suggestions to pay attention to the criteria for transparent financing by the Government, which is another on of the project components for its technical support, but also for better involvement of the civil society organizations in passing the laws that influence their functioning.

It is expected that the Government adopts the strategy by the end of 2006.

 

G.J.