Two NGOs Networks To Support D&D Established in Pursat and Kampong Cham
In July 2009, Commune Council Support Project (CCSP) facilitated the establishment of two provincial NGOs Networks to support Decentralization and Deconcentration (D&D) in Pursat and Kampong Cham provinces.
The initiative to create the new networks bases primarily on the success and experiences of four existing provincial NGOs networks that CCSP facilitated to establish in 2007, namely in Kampong Chhnang, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap. The objective of the establishment is to expand the participation of civil society organizations in support of the Government’s policy on D&D reform. Also, it is aimed at promoting good governance and social accountability at local levels, according to Mr. Ly Rathy, CCSP Program Officer for Capacity Building and Networking.
Mr. Hoeung Hong, Chief of Provincial Local Administration Unit in Pursat, welcomes the establishment in the province. Mr. Hong, who presided over the network establishment in Pursat on July 25, said it is an appropriate opportunity that CSOs come in and participate in building capacity, providing recommendations and formulating strategies to promote the performance of commune councils.
More than 15 provincial NGOs came to a consensus in networking establishment in Pursat and unanimously elected Mr. Keo Phal, Executive Director of RFCD, to be a coordinator for the network.
Meanwhile, more than 20 NGOs in Kampong Cham convened on July 29 to form a network to support D&D, with the unanimous election of Mr. Neang Sovath, from ADHOC, to be the network coordinator.
The members of NGOs Network to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration, Pursat (PNSDD) include: RFCD, WfP, PVT, BDASE, SARF, SSA, AARR, Vigilance, VAPSD, YCC, DDSP, ICE,CIDC, EPDO and CACA.
Kampong Cham NGOs Network to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration (KNSD) has the following members: ADHOC, KKKHRND, DND, Vigilance, NAS, CADET, CITA, Wathnak Pheap, SDAB, DSO, Comfrel, ILDO, Licadho, PTC, PSAD, BSDA, HCDO, CCPCR and K-NAN.
(Source: D&D Bulletin, the publication of the Commune Council Support Project, Volum 8 No.7, July-September 2009)