OSCE Mission-supported review of training for local government staff presented in Skopje

SKOPJE, 21 November 2008 - An external review of the training given to municipal staff throughout the country between 2004 and 2007, supported by the OSCE Mission, will be presented in Skopje today.

The publication, which is available in English and has been translated into Macedonian and Albanian, aims to help develop a national training system for local self-government units.

"The study provides an in-depth analysis of capacity building initiatives conducted to date at all levels of local self government units, and suggests solutions for standardized mechanisms for quality assurance," said Alessandro Tedesco, Acting Head of the OSCE Mission's Public Administration Reform department.

Brenda Lee Pearson, the author of the review, added: "Developing a national training strategy is a complex long-term process, which requires commitment from the government and support from the international community. In order to ensure synergies and avoid duplications, co-ordination among state entities and donors should be better enforced."

The publication is part of a broader co-operation between the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, the Ministry of Local Self Government, the Association of Municipalities (ZELS), UNDP and the Council of Europe.