Meeting of the CEF Coordinators and the Advisory Board (by invitation only)
Every two years the CEF organizes a meeting with our Coordinators to discuss and exchange ideas on our learning program and learning needs in institutions that our Coordinators represent. As representatives responsible for capacity development and strategic management of human capital within ministries of finance, tax administrations and central banks in South East Europe (SEE), our Coordinators are a vital part of our governance structure and a unique resource in designing and implementing our learning program. The Advisory Board assists in designing and coordinating the delivery of activities of the CEF. We hold an annual Advisory Board meeting, normally in time of drafting of our future Learning Program that is later approved by the Governing Board. Participants at the meeting are thus invited to provide input on the CEF Learning Program, specifically reflecting on our partnerships and synergies in its implementation.
At our 2014 meeting, we presented the role of the knowledge hub that the CEF plays in public financial management (PFM) and central banking and our learning program. We concluded the meeting jointly with the Advisory Board.
At the meeting in October 2016, we focused on practical aspects of our collaboration, learning innovations and our future learning program that we discussed jointly with the Advisory Board. We trust the feedback received added value to our program and its relevance for our constituency. Our coordination in program implementation reflects our ability to link development cooperation goals of various interlocutors within a concrete capacity development agenda for our constituency.
On day 1, October 19 in the afternoon we welcomed Coordinators at our premises at the CEF. As we have some new members in our Coordinators group, we broke the ice and get to know each other better. To do that we asked Coordinators to bring along with an item that represents their view of learning to them. We took then a short tour of the Union brewery museum and had an informal dinner.
On day 2, October 20 we reflected together on ways Coordinators partner with us and thought how we can build and promote our network in the future. We showcased novelties and innovative approaches that the CEF has been addressing since our last meeting. In the afternoon, we were joined by the representatives of the Advisory Board, our donors and partners. The CEF staff then presented the learning program for 2017 and its focus until 2020 for deliberation by the Coordinators and the Advisory Board by thematic areas (PFM: budget planning and execution, auditing and accounting; tax policy and administration; central banking; leadership for managing reforms). In the evening, Coordinators and Advisory Board meeting participants joined us for a reception celebrating 15 years of the CEF.
Day 3, October 21 was the day of departures of Coordinators. Members of the Advisory Board, consisting of donors and partners that assist in designing and coordinating the delivery of our activities, continued with the meeting by looking into the ways of our partnerhip and modalities that can bring us closer to our mutual goals. They were introduced to development achievements and governance progress in recent year. Our donors and partners who are currently participating in our program implementation were given the floor to reflect on it and propose next steps for our tighter cooperation. We also shared the most recent video production that covers views on our impact from the perspective of regional experts. We reflected on program discussion from the previous day and on its implementation in the light of partner coordination. A new representative of the Advisory Board was introduced and proposed for selection to the role of Chair, whilst we thanked the current Chair for his valuable contribution in this function and bid him farewell and good wihes for his retirement.
The meeting of Coordinators and the joint session with the Advisory Board was facilitated by the CEF staff who are experts on learning and knowledge sharing methodologies and on design, implementation and evaluation of learning events.
Accompanying social program also provided informal networking opportunities during the meeting.