Activity Details (ID# 7424)

Activity Synopsis

The general objective of the Seminar was to create a better awareness of the role and position of public information officers in the democratic society, with an emphasis on the current situation in Montenegro concerning the developments in public relations at the governmental level. In addition to this, the aim was to present the comparative approach to public information and open access to information, in particular regarding the experience of transitional countries, but also Western European counties. Furthermore, the Seminar focused on underlining the importance of strategic planning of communication activities, and presenting the methods and tools for its proper development and implementation. 

The Seminar was organised remarkably well and both participants and lecturers were very committed to their work. The Council of Europe Recommendation REC (2002)2 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on access to official documents was made available together with materials provided by the experts during the working sessions.

The work was focused on the situation in Montenegro in the area of public information through very interactive sessions that offered good balance of theoretical approach and case studies. The Council of Europe experts gave clear view of the role of public information officers in the policy making processes and various methods of their work. That was supported with the experiences of the countries similar to Montenegro, in particular, transitional countries but also with some insight into the experiences of the Western Europe. In that regard, special attention was devoted to the discussion concerning position of the mass media in a democratic society and basic principles of the crisis communication. The great experience and knowledge of the lecturers was of utmost help to the quite inexperienced public information officers, and in general that created fruitful and intense discussions.

Having in mind the profile of the activity, only short press release was sent to media and the daily papers publicizes it, as well as some electronic media.
The activity was followed by evaluation questionnaires and final discussion with the participants. The feedback was outstanding and it definitely encouraged the continuation of the activities in this regard. The seminar reached the target group, however in light of this experience it would be advisable to broaden the number of the participants for future activities.

The draft programme has slightly been changed during the three days of seminar, and it had positive effect since it enabled both participants and lecturers to analyse more case studies from Montenegro and to create a clear picture of the public information developments in Montenegro. 

It was agreed to continue with these activities, as planned with the second module that will take place from 30 May till 2 June, 2004.

In addition to this, Mr Gijbels proposed to create short guidelines for the public information officers in Montenegro that could be printed and widely distributed.
 

Public information officers within the Government of Montenegro, Office of Mayor of Podgorica and RTVCG 

Mr David van der HOUWEN, Director of Streamline Communications, Amsterdam, Nederland
Mr Fred GIJBELS, Director of Gijbels Communicatie and Advies, Amsterdam, Nederland
 

Ms Daliborka ULJAREVIC, Council of Europe Office in Montenegro and Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights