IRI Launches New Local Governance Program

March 12, 2004

March 1 -- IRI launched a new local governance program for Cambodia’s commune councils in Kandal province, just outside Phnom Penh. The hands-on program is designed to promote democratic practices in local governance and to take the elected councilors through the process of designing and carrying out a community development project.

Elected for the first time in February 2002, many of the councilors have little or no experience with elected government. IRI’s program covers both the theoretical and the practical aspects of local governance from democracy and decentralization to managing budgets and holding public hearings.

In the March 1 training in Bantey Dek commune, IRI worked with the council to better understand the concept of decentralization and how the commune councils fit into Cambodia’s emerging system. The interactive training also stressed the importance of communication between councilors and with the community at large. In one activity, councilors were asked to interview each other and to create a council resume that could be presented to the public.

Over the next six months, IRI will work with four communes in an intensive program teaching the basic skills needed to effectively govern their communes. While learning these skills each of the communes will also be designing and implementing a local development project that actively engages their constituents.

###

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide