OSCE-supported roundtable on perspective of non-governmental sector held in Podgorica

A roundtable discussion titled “Development of NGOs – current situation and perspectives” was organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Interior Ministry on 25 September 2014 in Podgorica.

Representatives from the state institutions, civil society and the NGO Council for development discussed the current state of the NGO sector and ways for improvement. The 2014-2016 Strategy for the development of NGOs and its Action plan was presented by Interior Ministry.  

Ambassador Janina Hrebickova, Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Marija Vucinovic, Minister without portfolio and the President of the Council for development of NGOs and Dragan Pejanovic, Secretary of the Interior Ministry gave opening remarks.

The experts from Serbia and Croatia provided their views and expertise.

Ambassador Hrebickova commended the positive trend of civil society development in both governmental and non-governmental sectors. Hrebickova emphasized the importance of active citizenship: “One of the important steps forward is to understand the importance of co-operation and the advantages it can bring”.

Minister Vucinovic stressed the commitment of the Government of Montenegro to the development of the civil society and recognised the importance of these organisations as a significant source of knowledge.