Panel in organization of CSID

Decentralisation and depoliticisation as a formula for successful local democracy 

In organization of CSID “forum”, the panel titiled “Decentralisation and depoliticisation as a formula for successful local democracy” was held on the second day of the NGO Fair.

Gjuner Ismail had the introducing speech on the panel and he stated that recently this topic has become very interesting and greatly discussed into the public. He also predicted that in the next two-three years people would talk about the decentralisation and departicisation.  CSID “Forum will initiate a project on this subject: “Decentralisation in Macedonia; for drawing the government authority closer to the people”. In five municipality in Macedonia- Struga, Kicevo, Gostivar, Cair and Kumanovo, well prepared activities will be conducted to help the local representatives and the civil society sector for their increased participation in the functioning of their municipalities in the frames of the new laws for decentralisation and local self-government. The project is financed by Germany and it will start in 2006.

Elena Petkanovska from the ministry for local self-government pointed out that the decentralisation is the basis for the better governing and better human and democratic development. The process of globalization and the rapid technological development force all countries in the world to start reforms for defining of the political and the legal systems.

Lately, the term democratic governing is commonly met, and this marks the Governments’ responsibilities in the decision making process. The conduct of this process includes: reforming certain sectors, defining the authority bodies. The transfer of the power from central to local level we should accomplish in gaining bigger responsibility and increasing of their rights.

 

 Vladimir Risteski, as well from the ministry for local self-government pointed out that with decentralisation we should also attain departicisation of the local authorities for a successful local democracy. In this direction, the citizens themselves should be interested more and inquire about the members in the municipality councils, for a better communication between them. Gjuner Ismael at the end of the panel said that one of the problems of the Macedonian society is that it does not know the frames. In this direction is also the lack of information, what we can and what we cannot do, what we are allowed to do and what we are not. The people must respect the choice of the local authorities. Nevertheless there will be difficulties because of the parti-pris of the local administration.