Albania
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Tirana, 23 May 2012 - Representatives of the Albanian Government, local authorities, UNDP, media and other stakeholders contributing to local development attended today a conference in Tirana to address Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at local level - a way to improve governance at all levels.
The conference addressed the need for ICT intervention in the local level and cooperation with central governmental IT systems that would lead to a society where all citizens benefit from the communications and information technologies in the all level of administration.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Innovation and ICT, Mr. Genc Pollo amongst others, noted: “An awareness raising and information campaign for ICT use at local level will be implemented across the country.” Minister Pollo invited all heads of municipalities and communes across the country to make use of the opportunities that ICT offers for a better governance, to increase transparency and accountability, and to increase the participation of the local community in decision making. He also invited them to support the development of ICT infrastructure in their regions.
Mrs. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative amongst others pointed out:” People’s voice from the grassroots is often the origin of transformational change. And we, as a development actor, the Government of Albania, and civil society acknowledge and affirm the value and contribution of these voices. We have agreed together to respond much more effectively to the needs and priorities expressed. This is the underlying reason for our recent focus on expanding e-governance at the local level, and promoting e-participation to foster civic engagement and dialogue between local governments and citizens. We do hope that this two-way communication between local governments and their citizens, enabled through technology and social networks, will further the democratic processes in Albania."
The Deputy Mayor of Elbasan Mr. Serafin Papa presented the good example of the E-participation tool implemented in Municipality of Elbasan in the framework of the UNDP Project. Thanks to this tool used, the interaction between the local governments and citizens has been improved. The project, amongst others, has supported the development of Electronic Document Management System and E-portals for Municipalities of Elbasan and Kamez with the aim to increase the efficiency of the service delivery to citizens.
Participants discussed several issues related to ICT implementation at local level. In addition, National Agency for Information Society has identified the gaps of ICT use in local level, starting from the web presence, use of email and many more.
This event is organized by the National Agency for Information Society, and UNDP as part of the project:"Introducing ICT applications at Local Level & Enhancing Citizens’ Participation". The project works to increase capacities of local administrations to deliver better services to their citizens; enhance citizens-local government interaction and encourage participation of citizens in decision making processes. The project promotes transparency and accountability through the development of more effective and streamlined business processes.
Photo: Mrs. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative; Mr. Genc Pollo, Minister for Innovation and ICT; Mr. Endri Hasa, NAIS Director and Mr. Xhelal Mziu, Mayor of Kamza Municipality at the conference.
To view the speech of UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative please click here.
For more information please contact:
Nora Kushti
UNDP Communications Manager
nora.kushti@undp.org
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