Workshop boosts partnership between local councils and communities [Archives:2008/1138/Local News]

SANAA, March 16 ) Local experts and officials discussed on Sunday the partnership between local councils and communities.

The discussion took place at a three-day workshop held in Sana'a by the Supporting Democratic and Civil Orientation Foundation, a local non-government organization known as MADA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Administration.

The workshop discussion brought together secretaries and officials of the capital city's local councils.

The workshop is part of MADA's capacity building program for local councils, which is funded by the National Democracy Fund.

Abdul-Majeed Al-Fad, head of MADA, said the program aims to increase society 's participation and local council transparency in 100 districts nationwide. The program includes awareness for locals on the importance of participating with local councils.

During the workshop, deputy local administration minister Jafar Hamed said local governance has become “a heated matter.” “We focus on the partnership between local councils and communities in all sectors,” he said.

Hamed added that increasing the local councils' authority is an urgent necessity but the current law did not include evaluating and building local council members, particularly females. “A new law is to be issued and ratified soon and it aims to increase local councils' authority. Local councils presently depend on various resources