OSCE Mission, Union of Municipalities hold training for local civil servants on ethics commissions
The members of ethics commissions established in seven municipalities throughout Montenegro were in Podgorica on 3 December 2012 for training on their role and powers, as well as on how to handle complaints, including from citizens who wish to remain anonymous.
The training course, which was organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, was conducted by national experts for civil servants from Berane, Bijelo Polje, Herceg Novi, Mojkovac, Niksic, Pluzine, and Tivat.
Part of the training focused on the use of a guide and templates for various decisions that were developed by the OSCE Mission in co-operation with the Union of Municipalities, using input from experts from Montenegro and Serbia.
“Civil servants make decisions that have a direct influence on citizens. They plan policies, decide on the use of public resources and have access to sensitive information, and citizens expect ethical behaviour and integrity from them,” said Ljubinka Radulovic, an adviser to the Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities.
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Union of Municipalities are in the process of planning further training courses for 2013. In addition, an awareness-raising campaign will be launched in the second half of 2013 in order to inform citizens of the role of ethics commissions.