Lecture series in BTB on “Roles and Responsibilities of Sub-National Administration”

Battambang: The lecture series on “Roles and Responsibilities of Sub-National Administration” was conducted on August 19, 2011at Reasmey Battambang Hotel, Battambang province by CCSP in cooperation with Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior, and attended by 70 participants, 31 of whom were women). The lecture aimed to increase the awareness of municipality/district councils and commune/sangkat councils in the province.

During the opening remark, Ms. Bun Sary, representative of CCSP, delivered a speech about the cooperation between CCSP and Local Administration Department, Ministry of Interior, and D & D Network in Battambang province in disseminating information and contributing to the implementation of the National Program for Sub-national Democratic Development and the First Three Year Implementation Plan (IP3). “Without good cooperation so far among the three partners mentioned above, such a good event would not exist today,” she said. She believed that in the future there would be other provincial events conducted to strengthen sub-national administration and CSOs to make sure that NP-SNDD successfully finished with fruitful outcomes at the national level.

H.E. Mom Krat, provincial councilor, expressed his deep thanks to CCSP in conducting such a meaningful learning event to develop the capacity of government officials at sub-national level.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia enacted the National Program for Sub-national Democratic Development, as mentioned in the Decentralization and De-concentration Framework enacted in June 2005, with the hope to equally provide benefit to all citizens,” added H.E. The cooperation between CCSP and Local Administration Department to conduct a lecture series today is very important for councils in Battambang province to learn more new knowledge to better perform their roles and responsibilities in public service delivery and to be closer to the local people.

Mr. Sok Sothy, Chief of Education and Capacity building Office of DoLA, MoI and Mr. Loeung Vannak, Senior officer of the same office, shared their practical experiences on the following topics: - General principle of the responsibilities of District and Commune administrations - Structure, Roles, responsibilities and authorization of council - The communication between councilor and governor (Internal only) - Council’s meeting procedure and minutes - Verdict and decision made by council - Committees of council - Rules, regulations and disciplines of council.

Based on the assessment of the lecture series program, H.E. gave closing remarks at the end of the program by congratulating all the participants who fully understood the roles and responsibilities of district council and commune council as well as new principles in administrative management.

H.E. and participants suggested,“CCSP should continuously provide more workshops to all stakeholders in much more details than this lecture series”.