Working forum on the topic “Democracy and active citizens - path towards open parliaments” will be held in Belgrade on 15 September, within the celebration of International Day of Democracy, whose official this year’s slogan is “Stronger Democracies - Get Engaged Now!”

The event is organised by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Initiative Open Parliament.

The aim of the working forum of the representatives of parliamentary services is opening of the forum for discussion and sharing of experiences among the representatives of parliamentary services from Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives of domestic and international organisations with regard to improving transparency and openness of the highest legislative body.

Secretary General of the Serbian Assembly, as host country, as well as secretaries general of from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be panellists. Secretary General of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Aleksanar Jovićević will speak on the topic “Models and examples of good practices in the process of improving transparency and openness of the Parliament of Montenegro” as well as on the topic “Civic participation in decision-making processes - successful solutions and models in the region “.

The working forum is an opportunity for representatives of the civil sector organisations to express their proposals for improving transparency and openness of parliaments, in accordance with the best practices of the developed democracies.

International Day of Democracy is marked on 15 September, as of 2007, when, upon the initiative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this day as a day of fighting for democracy ideals.