Nieuw Aurora — More than 60 government officials and members of the Regional Councils (RR) and District Councils (DR) from Sipaliwini district and Upper-Suriname area are participating in a three-day training focused entirely on strengthening their understanding of their roles, duties, and responsibilities within local governance.

The training is conducted by Zagra’s Consultancy N.V. and is part of the Tyubi Di Matu project of the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG). The training is taking place from September 11 to 13, 2026, in the village of Nieuw Aurora.

At the heart of the training is the question: What exactly does my position entail, what duties come with it, and what am I responsible for? By creating greater clarity on these matters, participants are better equipped to perform their functions in a professional and effective manner.

For local governance to function effectively, it is essential that officials understand their roles and know where their responsibilities begin and end. The training therefore provides not only opportunities for knowledge transfer, but also for discussing practical situations, exchanging experiences, and translating responsibilities into everyday work.

“Professional performance begins with understanding what your position entails and what responsibilities come with it. When people understand their roles well, they are better able to carry out their duties and complement one another within the administration,” the organizers stated.

Throughout the three-day training, participants are made aware of the importance of a clear understanding of their duties, a strong sense of responsibility, and the professional execution of their work. This is intended to contribute to stronger local governance and improved service delivery to communities in the interior.

The training will officially conclude on Sunday, September 13, 2026. During the closing session, participants will reflect on the knowledge and experiences gained and discuss how these can be applied in practice.

Through this training, VSG and Zagra’s Consultancy, within the framework of the Tyubi di Matu project, are providing a concrete contribution to the professionalization of local governance in the interior.