Regional Forum in Uzhgorod - November 5, 2005
On November 5, 2005, in Uzhgorod, Ukraine, the Canada-Ukraine Partnership Project for Regional Governance and Development (RGD Project), which is managed by the Canadian Urban Institute in association with the Institute for Regional and Euro-Integration Studies “EuroRegio Ukraine” and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency, held its first Zakarpattya Regional Forum to engage stakeholders in discussion about the current status of regional governance and development in Zakarpattya, to understand the concerns and needs of local stakeholders and where the RGD Project can assist, and to demonstrate the benefits participatory, strategic planning has brought to Central and Eastern European regions.
Canadian Project Manager, and Ukraine Director, introduced the RGD Project to the participants. Representatives of academia and civil society organizations as well as leading Canadian, European, and Ukrainian experts on regional governance, development and planning issues also participated in the forum.
Zakarpattya Oblast was represented by Volodymyr Goblyk, Deputy Head of the Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration, and by Ernest Nuser, Head of the Department on European Integration Issues, External Economic Relations and Tourism of the Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration. Mr.Goblyk remarked that Zakarpattya oblast is the first and only oblast in Ukraine which in 2004 adopted Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Region. Therefore, RGD project can capitalize on results already achieved by the regional government. Mr. Nuser pointed out to the fact that Zakarpattya oblast authorities have significant experience in cooperation with technical assistance projects, so they are familiar with patterns of work and major principles of such cooperation.
The contribution of international experts allowed Zakarpattya officials and stakeholders to understand the Canadian and European contexts of regional governance and development and how their methods apply to Ukraine in general and to Zakarpattya specifically. The discussions throughout the forum on the needs of Zakarpattya in terms of regional governance, development and planning will allow the RGD Project to move forward towards meeting those on-the-ground needs.
Forum Agenda List of Participants Presentation "Strategic Planning: Why and How" - Ondrej Csanda, Consultant on Self-government Issues, Former Major of the city of Novy Zamky, Slovakia Presentation "Decentralizing Government Powers. The Canadian Experience" - Tanya Wanio, Governanec Expert, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Canada |
