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OSCE Mission-supported online course promotes local self-governance and good governance in Serbia

15 December 2016

Some 350 newly-elected councillors from local self-government units received certificates marking their successful completion of an online course on the system of local self-governments and good governance, at a ceremony held on 14 December 2016 in Belgrade. The course, supported by the OSCE Mission to Serbia, is designed for councillors who took up seats in local assemblies for the first time after the April elections.

The course aims to further their knowledge on the position and functioning of local self-government units and on their role as members of local assemblies, as well as on the implementation of principles of good governance and gender equality at the local level.

Following the successful implementation of the online training course for local self-government employees and councillors in 2014 and 2015, which proved effective in the professional development of local self-governments, the Mission continues to support the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) in developing new online courses within the SCTM’s eLearning platform.

SCTM expressed the need for comprehensive support to the elected local councillors and the Mission provided support in developing and implementing the online course, which was successfully completed in December.

“Improving the knowledge of local self-governments is particularly important as they are closest to the citizens,” said Head of the OSCE Mission’s Democratization Department, Jan Lueneburg. “A continuous learning programme is necessary not only for local administrations, but also for local councillors, who, as members of local assemblies, perform key oversight and decision-making functions.” He also noted that good governance and gender equality are principles that the OSCE deems essential for the functioning of a democratic society.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia remains committed to supporting local self-governments across the host country in the process of public administration reform.