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OSCE Kosovo Mission aims to bring municipal administration closer to all communities
PODUJEVE/PODUJEVO 11 May 2007
PODUJEVE/PODUJEVO, 11 May 2007 - Bringing municipal administration closer to all communities is an essential part of the OSCE's work in all Kosovo municipalities, said the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Wnendt, opening a public meeting in Podujeve/Podujevo today.
The event, organised and funded by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, is part of a broader outreach initiative aimed at raising awareness of the functions of the Communities Committee, whose role is to promote the rights and interests of all communities and individuals living within a municipality.
"The access of all communities to municipal services is an indispensable element of good governance," said Ambassador Wnendt. "Ensuring minority communities' knowledge of how the municipality can work for them is one important step on the road toward securing a future for all in Kosovo."
To date, the Mission has supported the organisation of five public debates in the Podujeve/Podujevo area, targeting Kosovo Serb and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities. In addition, it is sponsoring a radio campaign, which gives the members of the Communities Committee the opportunity to introduce their work to the general public.
"In assisting with these tasks, the OSCE expects that the Communities Committee will not only strengthen its role as an anti-discrimination mechanism, but will also become a more pro-active player on issues within its responsibility," added Ambassador Wnendt.
The reconstruction of the Orthodox Church and cemetery destroyed in 2004 were discussed at a meeting with Kosovo Serb representatives. Ambassador Wnendt reassured participants in the meeting that the OSCE is committed to work for all people of Kosovo.
The event, organised and funded by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, is part of a broader outreach initiative aimed at raising awareness of the functions of the Communities Committee, whose role is to promote the rights and interests of all communities and individuals living within a municipality.
"The access of all communities to municipal services is an indispensable element of good governance," said Ambassador Wnendt. "Ensuring minority communities' knowledge of how the municipality can work for them is one important step on the road toward securing a future for all in Kosovo."
To date, the Mission has supported the organisation of five public debates in the Podujeve/Podujevo area, targeting Kosovo Serb and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities. In addition, it is sponsoring a radio campaign, which gives the members of the Communities Committee the opportunity to introduce their work to the general public.
"In assisting with these tasks, the OSCE expects that the Communities Committee will not only strengthen its role as an anti-discrimination mechanism, but will also become a more pro-active player on issues within its responsibility," added Ambassador Wnendt.
The reconstruction of the Orthodox Church and cemetery destroyed in 2004 were discussed at a meeting with Kosovo Serb representatives. Ambassador Wnendt reassured participants in the meeting that the OSCE is committed to work for all people of Kosovo.