OSCE Mission to Skopje supports equitable representation in public administration

The OSCE Mission to Skopje, along with the Ministry of Information Society and Administration and a joint initiative of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Union SIGMA (Support for Improvement in Governance and Management) organized an international seminar on merit recruitment and equitable representation of ethnic groups in public administration on 14 and 15 November 2012 in Ohrid.

The two-day seminar aimed at exchanging information and discussing good practices in safeguarding diversity and ensuring equitable representation in various countries and international organizations. Keynote speakers include representatives from the European Commission, SIGMA, Northern Ireland, Belgium and Lebanon.

As part of the seminar a roundtable discussion was held with the participation of representatives of relevant national institutions who discussed their experiences and challenges as well as future plans for implementing the principle of equitable representation in the administrative service.

The seminar produced a set of conclusions and recommendations to be considered by the authorities when drafting new legislation regulating public administration in the country.

"The conclusions of the seminar are meant to help the government develop viable solutions to achieve the ultimate goal of having a public administration that would represent the ethnic diversity of the country," said Ambassador Ralf Breth, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.