'Suwon Cooperative Governance Committee' Launches for Citizens' Participation in City Administration

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] The 'First-term Suwon Cooperative Governance Committee,' which will expand citizen participation in overall city administration and play a role in activating cooperative governance, has taken its first step.

On the 3rd, the city held an appointment ceremony for the first-term members of the 'Suwon Cooperative Governance Committee' in the main conference room of City Hall and presented appointment certificates to 16 appointed members. The city also elected Park Sung-bin, professor of public administration at Ajou University, as vice chairperson.

The first-term Cooperative Governance Committee, chaired by Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young, is composed of 24 members: 8 ex-officio members and 16 appointed members including Suwon City Council members, citizen representatives, civil society activists, and private sector experts.

Over a two-year period, the members will deliberate and coordinate matters concerning the establishment, implementation, and evaluation of policies to activate cooperative governance. They will also improve necessary systems to activate cooperative governance and establish a foundation for communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors to address community issues.

The city established the Cooperative Governance Committee in accordance with the 'Suwon Cooperative Governance Ordinance and Implementation Rules' enacted from January to April of last year.

Cooperative governance (協治) is a process in which members of society—including local governments, businesses, citizens, and experts—work together to resolve diverse community issues through proper communication, participation, and consensus-building processes to determine alternatives.

First Vice Mayor Cho Chung-sik, who presented the appointment certificates, said, "Through the activation of cooperative governance administration, we can realize a sustainable society and public-oriented values," and added, "The members' active involvement will become a precious cornerstone for realizing democracy."