Banja Luka, 16. December 2011.

Initiated by Re: Action Civil Initiative for Banjaluka, a meeting was held with Mr. Gavranovic, president of the Assembly of Banjaluka city.   Representatives of Re: Action introduced Mr. Gavranovic with the aims of actions of Re: Action expressing the wish to co-operate with representatives of the authorities in important issues process solving for the citizens of Banjaluka.    Members of Re :Actions also informed the president of the Assembly that they will, within its actions, monitor the work of the City Assembly and point to certain irregularities but also give constructive suggestions to improve the work of the City Assembly, i.e. to approach it to the public.

The Initiative Re: Action is very well accepted by representatives of the authorities who also have expressed the wish to define partnership relations between the Re:Action and the Administration service of the City with memorandum on co-operation which will precisely define the relations between the two parties as well as solving issues by mutual capacities. At the meeting was talked about inclusion of citizens into decision-making process. Both sides agreed that citizens currently do not adequately participate in decision-making process and therefore it is very important to work on affirmation of citizens’ participation in decision-making process in the future. Also, it is important to create more space so the citizens can give their  suggestions and  opinions. It was stressed that level of citizens’ awareness on all important issues regarding the city of Banjaluka must be advanced.

American ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Patrick Moon was yesterday introduced with works of attendees of the School of comics and caricature in the American Corner Banja Luka which was organized by the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka as well as sculptures made by members of the Association of Amputees of Republika Srpska. Aleksandar Žolja from Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly explained that the School of comics and caricature was organized within the project X-press: Social Inclusion through the Media aimed at affirming the comics and caricature as a journalist form of expression and motivating the attendees to present the needs and problems that different marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as disabled persons, old persons, victims of violence etc.  in our society are facing every day. Željko Volaš from the Association of Amputees presented the works of authors of sculptures stating it is about people who were hurt by mines and who are still one of the burning problems in BiH. Volaš thanked Mr. Moon for the support of the United States of America in field of de-mining in BiH. Ambassador Moon exchanged his opinion with authors of comics and sculptures in a pleasant atmosphere at the American Corner in Banja Luka.