Commune Councils Receive Training

September 13, 2004

IRI began implementation of a new training course on fiscal responsibility and financial management for four commune councils. The course is the third in IRI’s ground-breaking Commune Council Program, designed to assist the participating councils to develop into strong, more accessible government institutions.

The training course builds on concepts from previous courses, which include transparency and accountability, the importance of public participation in the planning, budgeting, and execution of projects. Participating councilors write sample budgets, with line-items for each expenditure. They also discuss accounting procedures and safeguards, and learn methods for instituting these practices in their commune council proceedings.

Throughout this year the participating councils have made great strides towards improving their governance skills. They have opened council meetings to the public and have invited their constituents to voice their opinions. In this latest training course, councils are encouraged to publicize budget plans and open the planning process to public scrutiny and input. In Cambodia, where corruption is widespread, public scrutiny of local government budgets will likely help reduce graft.

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