A Conference on Social Inclusion/ Getting on track with the Millennium Development Goals in Kosovo was held on October 19-20, 2009. The Conference brought together parliamentarians of Kosovo and the SEE region, civil society, donors and the private sector to discuss issues of health, education, economy and employment, environmental issues, governance and donor coordination in the context of social inclusion and Millennium Development Goals.

Governance and Environment working group was led by Arijeta Himaduna, MuSPP /UN-HABITAT liaison and governance officer. The group discussed various issues such as the pollution of natural environment, water and solid waste management, informal settlements and illegal buildings and security from the perspective of gender and human rights.

In the focus of the group discussion were also aspects of governance such as local government competences, public participation in decision making processes, participatory approach in the development process, good governance criteria and urban governance index.

In order to achieve visible results, it is important to address thematic issues mentioned above while applying good governance norms and principles. One of the key issues mentioned was the need for proper budget allocation according to the European standards and criteria.

An additional contribution of MuSPP/UN-HABITAT for the Environment and Governance group was the paper on MDG’s Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Cities through Gender Lens. Issues raised in paper were accepted by all and attached to the recommendations of the group. (See attached)