USAID, Cleveland State University
Bring Croatian Officials to Ohio
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| Attendees from Croatia participating
in a session of the two-week seminar for Croatian municipal officials at
Cleveland State University's Levin College of Urban Affairs. (Photo: Courtesy
of Cleveland State University) |
December 2, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
and the Unger Croatia Center for Local Government Leadership at Cleveland State
University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs are sponsoring
a two-week conference for local government officials from Croatia on “Citizen
Participation in Local Government” from November 30 to December 14, 2002.
Ten officials from municipalities throughout Croatia arrived in Cleveland on
Saturday to participate in the program, which will also include three days
of meetings and sessions in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
USAID’s mission in Zagreb is currently administering a local government
reform project in Croatia to assist the country make its transition to a market-oriented
democracy. This effort depends in large measure on the capacity of local governments
in Croatia to incorporate citizens into the political and economic life of
the society. As such, USAID has worked through the Washington-based non-governmental
organization World Learning to develop a program with the Unger Center to familiarize
Croatian local officials with citizens’ participation as practiced in
the United States.
“Broadening citizen engagement in the government process strengthens
democracy and stems abuses. This program is an excellent way to introduce Croatian
officials to successful U.S. models for involving citizens in local government
affairs,” said Dr. Kent R. Hill, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe
and Eurasia. “This comes at an extremely important time for Croatia,
as it undertakes key structural reforms, such as devolving more power to local
authorities, to prepare for eventual membership in the European Union.”
The program designed by the Unger Center includes several different sessions
and site visits. Among other features of the fourteen-day program the participants
will meet community leaders, government officials, members of the city council,
and citizen action groups in the city of Cleveland Heights, Ohio and Chattanooga,
Tennessee, visiting areas improved and renovated by community action programs.
Afterwards, the group will participate in discussions to determine how to apply
these experiences in Croatia. The program concludes with a breakfast at Cleveland
State University on Friday, December 13.
USAID assistance to Croatia has totaled nearly $44 million in 2002. In addition
to its efforts in areas such as improving political processes, strengthening
civil society and reintegrating war-affected populations, USAID’s efforts
also include significant economic reform and social transition programs. USAID’s
efforts to foster stability in Croatia and more broadly in the region come
at a critical period for the country as it moves closer to western institutions
and distances itself from the conflicts of the 1990s. The Unger Center and
Cleveland State University have played a valuable role in organizing programs
designed to assist Croatian government officials, working closely with USAID
on several initiatives to assist in Croatia’s continuing transition process.
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