OSCE-supported workshops to strengthen capacity of Montenegrin parliamentary committees held in Podgorica
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized three workshops aiming to strengthen the capacity of parliamentary committees in maintaining inclusiveness, upholding international standards, communicating with media, citizens and civil society, as well as in improving co-operation with independent state institutions on 5, 19 and 26 November 2018 in Podgorica.
“These workshops are a continuation of the work that we have done together with Montenegro’s parliament, focusing on issues of great importance to democratic life,” said Lia Magnaguagno, Programme Manager at the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, addressing the participants. “They are not meant to be a lecture, but rather a discussion and an opportunity to share experiences with the aim to help you further reflect on your work, and to give you useful ideas and suggestions.”
The first workshop gathered more than 15 participants from the parliament and parliamentary committees, including several MPs whose discussions focused on achieving stronger parliamentary legitimacy through inclusiveness and international standards. Experts from Albania and Croatia presented the challenges they faced and the achievements accomplished in applying international standards.
During the second workshop, experts presented tools that can be utilized in improving communication with citizens, media and civil society. They shared their views on some of the best practices when communicating with the public, and referred to some of the challenges that they encountered in their day-to-day work.
The third workshop focused on Parliament’s co-operation with independent state institutions, and formal and informal approaches to the parliament’s oversight function, one of the cornerstones of democracy.
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro remains committed to improving the capacity of parliamentary committees through expert assessments and tailored workshops, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the parliament.