KULOB, June 30, Asia-Plus -- A two-day seminar formally titled “Civic Participation in Decision Making” was launched in the Pakhtakor jamoat, Khatlon’s Vose district on June 29.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Jumakhon Olimi, the head of the public association, Parallax, said that the seminar was considering issues related to enhancing a role of citizens in determining priorities of solving problems facing any specific village or district.

According to him, similar seminars have already been held in the Roudaki district, Khatlon’s Qurghon Teppa region, and the Temourmalik district.  “After the Pakhtakor jamoat, similar seminar will be conducted in the Pakhtaobod jamoat of Vose,” Olimi said.

The seminars for members of local community development councils are conducted under financial support of Oxfam in Tajikistan.

Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 like-minded organizations working together and with partners and allies around the world to bring about lasting change.  It works directly with communities and it seeks to influence the powerful to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them.

In Tajikistan, Oxfam''s focus is on sustainable livelihoods, health, disaster preparedness, and improving supplies and sources of food and clean water