CONFERENCE ON DECENTRALIZATION FOR EASTERN, CENTRAL EUROPE HELD IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA, 26-28 APRIL
Press Release
DEV/2206
CONFERENCE ON DECENTRALIZATION FOR EASTERN, CENTRAL EUROPE HELD IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA, 26-28 APRIL
19990503 NEW YORK, 3 May (DESA) -- At the invitation of the Government of Armenia's National Assembly, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs organized an international conference on "Decentralization in Eastern and Central Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): Conditions of Success," with the close cooperation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Yerevan, Armenia, from 26 to 28 April.The conference aim was to assist the countries of Eastern and Central Europe and the CIS to smooth and accelerate the process of transition towards appropriate forms and degrees of decentralization, in accordance with the specific social, economic and cultural needs of each country. As such, the discussion looked at lessons learned from various decentralization efforts in the region and focused on four core elements considered central to successful decentralization: the legislative framework and process; financial decentralization; developing human resources for decentralization; and mobilizing civil participation in local government.
Guido Bertucci, speaking on behalf of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, noted that decentralization was a key pillar of democratic government, needed not only for the efficient delivery of services to the populace, but also to foster the kind of political integration, identification and involvement required for a political system to endure and flourish, especially during the times of economic hardship and social challenges that the countries in the region have been facing.
The participants recognized the importance of decentralization in the process of democratization and the transformation of the economy. They agreed that while the constitution and basic legislative texts provided the legal framework for decentralization, a clear distribution of competencies must be established to clarify roles and foster cooperation among the different levels of governments. In the context of financial decentralization, financial flows to local authorities must be secured that corresponded to the particular needs and competencies of local conditions. Further, all types of decentralization initiatives must be underpinned by wide-ranging measures for the strengthening of institutional and human resources, both for elected officials and
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administrative staff. Finally, a civil society that functions in a culture of participation and partnership was critical to successful decentralization and local government reform.
The participants noted the critical work of the United Nations in supporting practitioners and scholars in the region who are involved in decentralization, administrative reform, citizen participation and democratization. They requested the United Nations to continue to: convene such regional forums; develop exchange networks; and strengthen national, regional, and local institutions dealing with decentralization issues in ways that can maximize the fruitful exchange of information, expertise, lessons learned and best practices.
Elected representatives and government officials from more than 20 countries in the region, representing both local and central levels of government, met to exchange views on decentralization in their respective countries. In addition, a number of international organizations participated in the conference, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the International Institute of Administrative Sciences, and others.
For further information, contact: Gary Manukyan - (212) 963-5410; or Gay Rosenblum-Kumar - (212) 963-8381, Division for Public Economics and Public Administration, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
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