The Center for Social Development, a Cambodian NGO, released a report on June 17

outlining ways to strengthen commune governance.

The report was based on two public forums held in November and D ecember last year.

The forums aimed to bring views and ideas on commune governance together.

The 288 participants had shifting backgrounds, ranging from village development councils

and local authorities to government officials and NGOs.

The participants raised a number of issues regarding weaknesses in commune governance.

These included corruption, clannish party loyalties and the lack of collaboration

and proper job descriptions.

The forum recommended a number of measures including:

*Training for commune leaders and clerks in their respective roles.

*Continued implementation of the new decentralization and land laws.

*As many programs as possible training citizens in law and human rights.

*Adding disabled people's perspective to the local development plans.

*A better-behaving police force.