07 December 2015, 08:30
Dear employees of local self-government bodies!
Homeland begins from each of us. In small towns and big cities, the most distant places of Ukraine we are searching for a potential for proper development - available and reserved. But it is extremely important in today's conditions to be responsible for the quality of not only personal life but also of the home street, community or region. Everything starts from an idea, initiative, ability to work hard at self-improvement. Strong and self-sufficient is that community, which has collective understanding of a basic concept of development "Nobody can do this but me, nobody but us."
Development of local self-government and reforming of the system of management of regional development is a fundamental principle of participatory democracy. Today the priority in the state policy of Ukraine should be given to training and large-scale reforming of local self-government that will stipulate for particular importance of active involvement of citizens to participate in settlement of public issues at the local level, and management of their communities.
The Day of Local self-government is a holiday of all people working for the good of local communities, defending public demand and interest. However, special thanks to employees of local self-government bodies: your every day work is a major catalyst for social development, formation of civil society. It is exactly with your creative hard work, professionalism, which requires deep knowledge and high moral qualities, and honesty people connect their hopes for social justice, well-being, bright future and faith in the new achievements.
Next year poses new challenges. The emergence of issues that should be addressed in the process of decentralization is obviously inevitable, but future success of the story of decentralization reform in Ukraine depends exactly on adequate administrative decisions made by employees of local self-government as a reaction to the trust of the community, their victories or mistakes, activation of efforts of each of us.
Colleagues and friends, I wish you to successfully overcome all challenges, to achieve results that the society expects from you, good health, family comfort, fulfillment of dreams and aspirations, inner warmth and light, to have inspiration for self-development and building-up of your own business, local initiatives and the country.
Chairperson of Verkhovna Rada Committee
on State Building, Regional Policy
and Local Self-Government
Serhii Vlasenko