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YUGOSLAVIA |
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YUGOSLAVIA |
IN-SERVICE TRAINING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT
There have been significant efforts in Yugoslavia to introduce and develop training programs since 1958, when the federal Institute for Public Administration (Savezni Zavod za javnu Upravu) was established. The institute had an important role in improving public service, organising research and exploring possibilities to introduce some tasks in view of the ongoing marketisation of the economy at that time.
The institute was not only oriented towards theoretical research but focused on practical activities of executive administrative organs and established close cooperation with government institutions. Its primary task has been to re-examine administrative functions and procedures applied in daily operational work and to analyse what changes are necessary to increase productivity. In order to support the development of more effective public service, many training programs have been introduced including: general administrative procedure, state liability and responsibility and the protection of the citizen's rights.
There have been several training programs that made valuable contributions to the implementation of innovations in the learning process. Elements of the system of permanent education and training related to promotions were proposed to the government and the liabilities of the government were established. Central and local administrative organs and larger public organisations were obliged to design and implement internal training programs for their employees through bylaws and executive orders. New employees are generally required to enter an apprentice program, usually for one year. Candidates may also be employed without pay as a volunteer in order to gain professional experience. A volunteer enjoys all the rights of a full time employee.
After serving for two years, civil servants are typically required to complete a state professional exam in two parts. The first includes constitutional and administrative law, public administration, structure, functions, elements of general administrative procedure, etc; the second, specialised part differs from ministry to ministry depending on its jurisdictions. Each ministry stipulates the program for this examination. If a civil servant fails to pass, he/she will be fired almost automatically after two attempts.
In principle, the government must cover all fees for training and related research. However, although the system was initially greeted with enthusiasm, it dissipated in the 1980s into sporadic seminars and workshops. A lack of financial resources is not the only factor, and the crisis has worsened.
Training programs now predominantly focus on managers as the individuals who represent and lead the institution. Training methods and content are old-fashioned and largely irrelevant for a modern European civil service. The Commission for Harmonisation with European Law was appointed in 1995 within the federal Ministry of Justice and has done almost nothing. No federal body for accession to the European Union was ever appointed. At the central level and in the government of Serbia, training abroad is rare and is not encouraged.
The local level situation in counties where the democratic opposition won elections is comparatively better. Activities, supported by the United States Agency for International Development, the British Council, the American Bar Association’s Central and East European Law Initiative and others have been organised, including seminars, lectures and meetings.
The situation is quite different in Montenegro, as has already been explained. The new “Administrative Reform at the Central and Local Level” project and legal reforms officially adopted in January l999 are well underway. The Montenegrin Institute for Public Administration has been established. Cooperation in public administration training with European countries began two years ago. Many Montenegrin officials have already trained abroad in Great Britain, in the United States, Germany, Italy, and at the Central European University in Budapest, with many more to enter the training process soon.
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