Conclusion of the Local Administration in Recovery phase Forum
The Nation Building Movement concluded the “Local Administration Forum in the Recovery Phase” which it held in three parts at its headquarters in Damascus, with the “Political pillars” which extended over 4 sessions over two days (Friday and Saturday, September 6-7). A report will be released later, including the most prominent files and topics that were discussed in the forum and the most prominent recommendations that resulted from it.
The first session of the last day addressed ways to find a balanced formula for the relationship between the central government and local councils, focusing on maintaining the necessary oversight by the central government without undermining the independence of local councils, and examining the mechanisms that can be put in place to ensure the freedom of local councils to develop and implement plans that address their challenges, and to structure the relationship between the center and localities to ensure that the two levels of government work together to achieve common national goals while respecting local diversity.
The “Local Governance in Recovery Forum” had started its sessions in July with its first part, which addressed the economic and social pillars with the aim of exploiting the available and urgent opportunity to invest in civil society as a new and old actor in society capable of playing a role distinct from the parties to the conflict, and enhancing its role in a way that achieves the empowerment of local communities and the strengthening of local governance, as these are preconditions for early and sustainable social recovery and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
The forum continued to hold its sessions in August, addressing the administrative and financial pillar, and discussing the administrative and financial problems related to activating the local administration system as the only possible local development management system today.
It concluded its sessions in September with the political pillar, within the framework of completing the topics and pillars that represent the priorities of this stage in order to involve all stakeholders in building the desired recovery policies.
Third day discussions
More details about the session can be found in the photo reports below.