Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have a significant role in the process of democratization of society, said the Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović and added that the Government should seriously consider messages and suggestions from the civil sector in order for the public policies it adopts to achieve good results.
On the occasion of World NGO Day, she particularly emphasized the importance of civil society organizations that deal with the media sector, as well as those that are active in the field of protection and promotion of cultural heritage.
"They are a source of expertise and a constructive partner for the creation of public policies and regulations in the field of media and culture," said Vujović.
As she stated, NGOs have the task of controlling and helping the democratic progress of society.
"It is precisely for this reason that our task in the Government is to seriously consider messages and suggestions from the civil sector and to actively cooperate so that the public policies adopted by the authorities achieve good and measurable results," Vujović pointed out.
According to her, the non-governmental sector contributes significantly to the richness of the cultural offer in Montenegro.
"Some of the most significant manifestations and festivals are realized by civil society organizations, and some festivals have grown from initiatives from the non-governmental sector into cultural institutions," said Vujović.
As she added, representatives of NGOs from the field of media were constructive members of the working group for the amendment of media laws and significantly contributed to the process of drafting these documents, as well as to the process itself.
Vujović said that, although the number of NGOs in culture is significant, it is not sufficiently recognized by the public.
"Unlike them, we must emphasize that we have a very developed network of NGOs dealing with the media sector. "Just tomorrow, I will be together with one of them at the Conference dedicated to disinformation," Vujović said.
She said that the degree of development of the political culture of each government is also measured by its attitude towards NGOs, which need to be given space for development.
Vujović believes that improving the competition policy is one of the ways to do that.
"Financing of NGOs from public funds is an investment in development, because in areas where government programs are underdeveloped, the non-governmental sector is active," emphasized Vujović.
She said that she will also work intensively on creating conditions for the work of professional associations, which are now registered as NGOs and do not have the possibility to receive support from the Ministry, which, she believes, is not the best solution in this case.
Vujović stated that NGOs are predominantly recognized as necessary, important, professional, reliable, accessible and helpful, and that citizens also see them as modern and successful organizations.
That is why, she believes, it is crucial that they build a quality and sustainable partnership.
"With an open and inclusive approach, we will successfully bring to an end numerous reform processes, which we are implementing together, and build a better society," said Vujović.
She called on all NGOs operating in the cultural heritage, creative and media sectors to continue to be proactive, informed, bold, creative, as they have been during the past three decades.
"You are one of the waves that started the awakening of civil rights and freedoms and empowering citizens to seek and achieve them," said Vujović.
She said that they recognize the importance of NGOs and that they appreciate it as a contribution to the democratization of society.
"On our part, we expect respect for the basic democratic principles of the division of power and knowledge of the structure of the state. We can only go far together," concluded Vujović.
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