| Sharing knowledge and experience for the enhancement of living standards |
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| Tuesday, 23 December 2008 13:09 |
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The EU-UNDP Enhancement of Living
Standards (ELS) project took part in a study tour to Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The event was organized by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina
from 16-26 August, 2006.
Representatives from regional authorities at
the level of deputy Khokim of ELS project districts in Karakalpakstan,
Namangan and Fergana regions and ELS project staff exchanged knowledge
and gained a concrete understanding of regional development strategies
and community development.  Bosnia
and Herzegovina is a country on the Balkan peninsula of southern Europe
homeland to three ethnic “constituent peoples” – Bosniaks, Serbs and
Croats. As a result of the war in the early 90s, Bosnia and Herzegovina
is currently administered through the Dayton Accords, with a High
Representative selected by the UN Security Council having a supervisory
role. The country is decentralized and is administratively divided into
two "entities", the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska.The system of government established by the Accord is an example of consociationalism,
as the country is administered by three major groups, with each having
a guaranteed share of power. The Chair of the Presidency rotates among
three members (Bosniak, Serb, Croat), each elected as the Chair for an 8-month term within their 4-year term as a member. The three members of the Presidency are elected directly by the people.  The
Uzbek delegation had the chance to visit three UNDP executed projects:
the Srebrenica Regional Recovery Programme, the Rights – Based
Municipal Development and the Sustainable Transfer to Return-related
Authorities projects. Visitors travelled to Srebrenica, Odjak and
Maglaj municipalities and old City of Mostar. In Srebrenica, they
visited a dairy farm initiated and managed with the support of the
recovery programme. In Odjak the group visited the Kuca nade – House of
Hope, a centre for children with special needs. The delegation had also
a chance to see firsthand the houses which were reconstructed within
the framework of the projects and talk with the beneficiaries of the
projects.During the visit to
the City of Mostar participants admired the historical past of the
country. Bosnia and Herzegovina overwhelms the visitor with its
breathtaking nature. And yet, spectacular landscapes are punctuated by
the still-present harsh reminders of a recent war. However, while there
are development issues to tackle, the country has been recovering and
regenerating itself with much strive and effort. The study tour
fostered a great exchange of experience in working with communities,
showed examples of social and local development initiatives based on
immediate local needs. Thanks to the UNDP global office network and
despite the differences in country contexts, the study tour allowed
identifying opportunities for further exchange of knowledge in area
based development. A special note of
appreciation goes to Ms. Altijana Despotovic and Mr. Alexandre Prieto
who organized the study tour and all UNDP and projects staff who
succeed to make the event truly unique and unforgettable.
For more information on UNDP Bosnia Herzegovina and projects, please see: www.undp.ba Please visit our photo gallery, where we have pictures from the study tour.
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