Details

Decentralization and Deconcentration in Cambodia -

Towards the Organic Laws

Seminar Program for the Members of the Senate and the National Assembly

June 13, 2006

The Royal Government of Cambodia envisages passing organic laws in the present legislature. These organic laws will be the legal basis for the implementation of the Decentralization and Deconcentration Strategy (D + D) of the Royal Government. It is a major element for the reform and modernization of the Cambodian sate. It will involve many branches of government. This task will be confronted with strategic, political and technical challenges. With a view to anticipating some of the challenges and to facilitate the process, Members of the National Assembly and Senate invited to seminars that are intended to put the challenges into perspective. The main purposes of the seminars are to raise awareness about dimensions of D + D and thereby to increase the general competence to evaluate it. It is not intended to discuss the actual draft organic laws.

8.30 a.m. Welcome Remarks

Wolfgang Meyer, Konrad Adenauer Foundation

8.35 a.m. Welcome Remarks

H. E. Ngoun Hnil, Vice-President of the National Assembly

8.55 a.m.Opening Speech

“Objectives and outline of the Strategic Framework for Decentralization and Deconcentration ( D+ D)”

H. E. Prum Sokha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior (45 minutes + 15 minutes q + a) (tbc)

9.55 a.m.Coffee break

10.15 a.m.“Types of centralized and decentralized state structures”

German speaker (45 minutes + 15 minutes q + a)

11.15 a.m.“Principles and components of D + D – part 1”

-subsidiarity

-diversity with unity

German speaker (30 minutes + 15 minutes q + a)

12.00 noonLunch break

2.00 p.m.“Principles and components of D + D – part 2”

-tasks (reasons for attributing specific tasks to a particular level)

-relations between the tiers

oclear separation or sharing of decision-making

oclear separation or sharing of executive functions

oclear separation or sharing of finances

German speaker (45 minutes + 30 minutes q + a)

3.15 p.m.Coffee break

3.45 p.m.“Principles and components of D + D – part 3”

-autonomy rights: decision-making, planning, finance, personnel

-legal and substantive control and supervision

-parliaments and/or (legislative or consultative) councils at sub-national level

German speaker (45 minutes + 15 minutes q + a)

4.45 p.m.Panel Discussion

Moderator: H.E. Chea Chet, Chairman of the Commission on Finance and Banking, Senate

5.30 p.m.Closing remarks

H. E. Tep Ngorn, Vice-President of the Senate