This Council provides consulting services to the Mayor in a round table discussion forum. Upon conclusion of meetings (depending on content), a report will be prepared and then submitted by the Mayor to the Municipal Council for approval.
The Council is comprised of two bodies: (1) Municipal, which are the directors of the departments that currently are the sole managers of these international relations; and (2) Non-municipal, which is a select group of individuals from Shoumen s economy that represents various aspects that should be considered when dealing with international partners.
In an attempt to better represent Shoumen s society, the municipality has decided to allow citizens to partake in the management processes concerning international partners. Members from the community representing different sectors (minority, NGOs, business, trade, tourism, education, etc.) will form the non-municipal portion of this Council.
In direct accordance with the Municipal Action Plan prepared by the National Association of Municipalities (NAMRB), such a Council is in compliance to the National Level Strategy (English version, page 6) concerning citizen participation in municipal affairs. By such a measure, this area of municipal authority (international relations) will be more transparent, and readily available to the citizens of Shoumen.
As Sister-Cities and Twinned-Cities are meant to offer exchange programs (from investment to education to managerial), it is natural that citizens have the option to determine how opportunities are located, and then how to ensure fair and efficient distribution of these opportunities. This Council is Bulgaria s first attempt to embark on such an innovative municipal practice. By so doing, Shoumen s administrative capacity to manage these partnerships will increase, as well as its program capacity, as more representatives take part in the formation and implementation of projects.
The long-term sustainability of this Council is of primary concern. With numerous cities throughout Bulgaria with multiple Sister-City relations, such a Council could help to improve these relations. With this in mind, Shoumen is seeking international support in mentoring and advisory services, to ensure that such a Council works efficiently. In addition, once fully operational in Shoumen, members of this Advisory Council will engage in seminars via the Regional Associations of Municipalities with hopes to have this innovative project adopted by its members.
We are convinced that this project would be an attractive potential for replication for numerous reasons. Most notably that it adheres to requirements set forth by the NAMRB, in the area of conforming to standards set by the European Union. Citizen participation is in its infancy stages in Bulgaria, and because this, reform efforts will be gradual. This Council, being free to create and implement, is an attractive option for beginning this innovative practice.
Contacts :
Simeon Komatinski
Senior Expert
Municipality of Shoumen European Integration Department
17 Slavianski Blvd.
Shoumen 9700
359 54 55133
[Nominate]
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