14^th June 2004

Press Release:

TRC Friends’ Forum on “Local Government in Lesotho” on the 24^th June 2004

The Government has dedicated itself to decentralization and the implementation of Local Government. This is one of the most challenging developments in Lesotho which will have far reaching effects on the Basotho society.

Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) wants to play an active and constructive role in this process to contribute to its success. Therefore, TRC has organized a forum at the Institute of Distance and Continuing Studies (IDCS) formerly known as IEMS on 24^th June 2004 from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. to inform stakeholders about the processes and latest developments on the decentralization process and the local government elections due to be held.

The Ministry of Local Government has been invited to deliver the presentation on the advancement of the decentralization of Local Government in Lesotho. Mr. Mashinini of the National University of Lesotho has been requested to make a presentation on the challenges facing the implementation of Local Government. Various perspectives will also be explored from other stakeholders. The outcome of this meeting is to determine the role of all players and how best they can bring together their synergies in making this event a success (for more information, please contact Fumane Letho, Tel: 22314463, Fax: 22322791 or Email: trc@trc.org.ls)

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The TRC has as one of its tasks, to organize open dialogue and public debates on development issues at regional and national levels. Therefore TRC has a tradition of holding Friends’ Forums to support civil society and government efforts to open dialogue on the identified issues. It provides Basotho individuals and groups with training for transformation towards the attainment of peace, justice, accountability and transparency as pillars of democracy and good governance. This is done to transform Basotho society to attain a sustained socio-economic and political development in a democratic country.