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The overall objective was to contribute to the
development of parliaments in the region with the best sources of
international assistance and experience. In general terms, the Workshop
was designed to build capacity of parliaments to fulfill effectively
its’ oversight function, to strengthen their knowledge, skills and
improve practice, resulting in their increased impact on the political,
social and economic situation of their respective countries, and the
region as a whole. Special attention was paid to transfer of experience
and best practice from Czech Republic and other Central European
countries to emerging democracies.
The purpose of the entire project is to assist
parliaments to evolve into a co-equal, independent and well-managed
bodies, accountable and appreciated by the citizens, which they
represent. Assistance is directed to parliaments directly to increase
their internal institutional capacities to more professionally and
effectively exercise their constitutional role.
The secondary objective is to stimulate sub-regional co-operation
between politicians within the region.
Additional goal of the Workshop was to introduce and familiarize UNDP
country office programme staff dealing with national legislatures with
key legislative oversight issues which can be addressed in country level
programmes/projects, and to stimulate networking and learning across
regions and connect a diverse group of UNDP practitioners and outside
specialists around common issues/concerns.
This Workshop was the third one within the framework
of the sub-regional parliamentary initiative. The first two ones were
held in Bratislava and Prague in December 2001 and June 2002
respectively.
Programme of the Workshop consisted of six sessions
– the opening session and five sessions as follows:
- Session I: Prague Workshop follow-up: Parliamentary News from the
Countries;
- Session II: Legislative Oversight: Basics of the Concept;
- Session III: Legislative Oversight: Mechanisms and procedures;
- Session IV: Legislative Oversight: Mechanisms and procedures
(continuation);
- Session V: International Cooperation for Strengthening Legislative
Oversight.
The opening session started with their welcome
addresses Ms. Dagmar Lastovecka, Senator of the Czech Parliament and Mr.
Ben Slay, Director, UNDP RSC/RBEC, Bratislava. Afterwards Mr. Sergei
Sirotkin continued with the Introduction and objective of the Workshop
and Review of the Agenda.
Workshop’s sessions were composed of presentations
of international experts and experts from Czech Republic, case studies
from Czech Republic and Slovakia, presentations of the situation in
participating countries and discussions.
To the session IV the presentations of the Office for
the Protection of Competition of Czech Republic, the Supreme Audit
Chamber of Poland and the Ombudsman Office of Czech Republic were
included. The role of NGOs was presented by a representative of the
Governmental Council for NGOs of Czech Republic.
On Saturday afternoon a sightseeing of Prague was
organized for several participants before they left Prague for Brno and
on Monday afternoon a sightseeing of Brno for all the workshop
participants to give them the possibility to get more familiar with the
cultural background of the Czech history. Integral part of the Workshop
were social evenings for all participants.
Official languages of the Workshop: Russian, English
and Czech.
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