Newsroom
Second NGO Forum to be held in Kosovo
PRISTINA 13 December 2001
PRISTINA, 13 December 2001 - Civil society plays an important and influential role in voicing citizens' interests and concerns before government. This is the primary focus of the second forum of Kosovo non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to begin in Pristina tomorrow, 14 December, co-sponsored by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation.
The aim of this two-day forum is to highlight the role of civil society and to enhance self-empowerment of the NGO community in Kosovo. This includes stimulating dialogue and networking among NGOs, and encouraging the sharing of experiences and lessons learnt. The gathering also aims to facilitate the development of a common identity for the diverse and dynamic NGO community in Kosovo.
This inter-ethnic forum allows NGOs to discuss and identify ways of enhancing the voice of citizens and civil society. Topics to be discussed include outlining the roles and priorities of the NGO community and developing strategies to strengthen partnerships on specific issues.
Particular attention will be paid to working effectively as critical and supportive partners to the recently elected Kosovo Assembly, as well as other institutions of governance - including municipal authorities and the civil administration. A more comprehensive understanding of the range of issues will aim to improve the capacity of NGOs to play an increasingly active role in the development of a democratic and pluralistic Kosovo.
While the more than 120 Kosovo NGOs are the primary participants, political parties have also been invited to take part and express their views on how civil society can be included in the development of policy as the new structures of self-government are formed.
A special press desk has been set up where media representatives can obtain more information about the activities of NGOs in Kosovo and the outcomes of discussions in the forum.
The forum will be held at the Grand Hotel in Prishtinë/Pristina on December 14-15. The annual NGO forum has now been established as the main event for key representatives of the NGO community in Kosovo.
The OSCE has supported the establishment of a network of NGOs that promotes accountability in the development of democratic civil society in Kosovo.
The aim of this two-day forum is to highlight the role of civil society and to enhance self-empowerment of the NGO community in Kosovo. This includes stimulating dialogue and networking among NGOs, and encouraging the sharing of experiences and lessons learnt. The gathering also aims to facilitate the development of a common identity for the diverse and dynamic NGO community in Kosovo.
This inter-ethnic forum allows NGOs to discuss and identify ways of enhancing the voice of citizens and civil society. Topics to be discussed include outlining the roles and priorities of the NGO community and developing strategies to strengthen partnerships on specific issues.
Particular attention will be paid to working effectively as critical and supportive partners to the recently elected Kosovo Assembly, as well as other institutions of governance - including municipal authorities and the civil administration. A more comprehensive understanding of the range of issues will aim to improve the capacity of NGOs to play an increasingly active role in the development of a democratic and pluralistic Kosovo.
While the more than 120 Kosovo NGOs are the primary participants, political parties have also been invited to take part and express their views on how civil society can be included in the development of policy as the new structures of self-government are formed.
A special press desk has been set up where media representatives can obtain more information about the activities of NGOs in Kosovo and the outcomes of discussions in the forum.
The forum will be held at the Grand Hotel in Prishtinë/Pristina on December 14-15. The annual NGO forum has now been established as the main event for key representatives of the NGO community in Kosovo.
The OSCE has supported the establishment of a network of NGOs that promotes accountability in the development of democratic civil society in Kosovo.