Citizens for Change #19
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2024
Welcome to the new issue of Citizens for Change #19, focusing on Civic Engagement.
“I am convinced that in a dialogue with the CSOs we can build better policies, we can make better decisions on certain areas of society.” This was one of Prime Minister Mickoski’s messages sent to the CSO representatives at the Civica Mobilitas National Forum that took place on 15th November 2024.
Prime Minister’s readiness for cooperation with CSOs was supported by the participation of five more government ministers, as well as Secretary General Janushev. The readiness of the CSOs was supported by the participation of around 200 representatives.
The need for cooperation between the national government and the CSOs does not need to be especially stressed. It is not only in the interest of the government and the CSOs, but it is even more important for their final beneficiaries, the citizens. In their addresses, part of the government representatives demonstrated consultations with the CSOs in the processes of policy changes or adoption. “There is no way for us to make a strategy that will not include the CSOs”, said the Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janeva answering a question on the consultations related to the national education strategy that should be adopted in 2026. She said that MES had already involved 40 CSOs in the consultations for adoption of changes to six laws related to education.
It was interesting to hear that part of the ministers experience us from the CSOs as critics rather than criticisers. “A good critic provides constructive criticism that brings solutions”, says the Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski. His expectations from the CSOs are not only that they provide solutions to improve policies, but, even more, to use their expertise that, according to him, “should naturally come from the civil sector”. This contribution of CSOs, according to him, is invaluable and it is the connection between the citizens and the institutions.
Other government representatives also showed their readiness and openness for cooperation. By organizing this forum, in cooperation with the government, Civica Mobilitas helped in restoring or establishing mutual contacts and agree on subsequent meetings.
We hope that this readiness will not remain at declarative level only; at least we in the sector will try to “call upon” the ministers, Secretary General and the Prime Minister to keep to their word. This will enable all of us at our next meeting to speak about results rather than about plans only.
