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United States. Office of the US High Commissioner for Germany / A program to foster citizen participation in government and politics in Germany
(1951)
3. Land offices, pp. 28-29
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4. Resident officers, pp. 29-30
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Page 29
Land Commissioners. They will coordinate all activities affecting- the work. of other organiza- tional units (Item 2 above) with the appropriate units at Land level. The Land Offices cooperate with IPG in the planning of general and operational programs, and are responsible for the execution of the program at the Land level. They are charged with relations with the Land government, Land officials, and the Landtag. Within the Exchanges Division procedures they select or participate in the selection of Germans visiting the U.S. and European countries. Their responsibility in connection with specific services, such as consultants, pamphlets, etc., is considered in subsequent subdivisions. 4. Resident Officers The key to the success of the Citizen Participation program lies with the Kreis Resident Officer. This program includes the proposal to develop citizen participation in governmental and political affairs (program item 1, Part II), and the local develop- ment of the programs on local government, the citizen and the public servant, and civil liberties (program items 2, 3, and 4, Part II) which are sug- gested for use as stimulants to local interest in citizen participation. Cooperation between citizens and the police, and the traffic safety program (Program Item 5), are also fields where the contribution of the resident officer is essential. Work with local political lead- ers, public officials, councilmen, and local Land- tag and Bundestag representatives is essential to the success of Program Items 6 and 7. Obviously, the development of citizen participa- tion is dependent upon interesting the individual citizen, making certain that he understands the subject matter, and giving him the tools with which to work. The work must be done by Germans. We can only advise and assist where advice and as- sistance are acceptable. The interest of citizens in participation in public affairs is at various stages of development in vari- ous localities, ranging from a complete lack of organization to an effective citizens' association. In some places the citizens are disinterested or the officials are hostile; in others, there already exists good cooperation. Political complexion, religion, economic conditions, refugees, newspaper char- acteristics,' and a multitude of factors affect each local situation. No single program can be laid down. The program can merely be suggestive to the Resident Officer, and he must adapt it to the conditions with which he is confronted. He is concerned not merely with forums and citizens' associations but with all kinds of organiza- tions which might interest themselves in public af- fairs-nonpartisan voter groups, taxpayers' as- sociations, women's and youth groups, farmers' or- ganizations, and trade unions, to mention a few. IPG will furnish outlines of possible programs which will cover those contingencies which can be foreseen. These will include outlines for discussion courses, suggestions for action programs and sug- gestions how citizens can make their wishes ef- fective against opposition. Seminars will be held initially to discuss these proposals and periodically thereafter to discuss problems which arise. Pam- phlets will be available to support the programs. Questions which arise -in the course of work may be referred through channels to the Land Political Divisions. The material to be made available will cover a variety of topics such as local government and local autonomy, local taxation and expenditures, selection of local officials, relations between the community legislative and executive branches, civil liberties, relations between the public and the civil servant, the political party structure and its respon- siveness to local controls, election methods, and the structure of local, Land, and federal government. The first step is doubtless to assure that one or more local citizens' groups are established, and then to interest all established groups in public and governmental affairs. -In no case should these groups be dominated by the local- officials. So far as possible, however, relations with the local of- ficials should be cooperative and helpful. ,In addition to encouraging discussions and action on the subjects suggested above, civic groups may be interested in initiating civic improvement pro- grams. If groups undertake such projects, they should be encouraged to follow them through and, where obstacles arise from governmental inter- ference or otherwise, to learn how to fight their case successfully. There are many Germans familiar with the fore- going problems who are anxious to contribute to the success of these programs. Heretofore no means has existed to bring them in contact with the local groups. It is believed that a German organization for this purpose will be established in the im- mediate future. This organization can furnish speakers and consultants, and, if a local group is financially weak, it may be possible to extend aid for minor incidental expenses, such as rent for a meeting place, travel expenses for speakers, the cost of publicity, or attorneys' fees in significant civil liberties cases. Adequate newspaper coverage of these activ- ities is essential. The citizens' groups must learn to establish working relations with the newspapers; the newspapers must learn the news value to them of these local movements. A few documentary films on citizens' activities will be available for appropriate local groups. They will also serve as a basis for discussion meetings. Local libraries should be encouraged to develop their material in these fields. These activities can be coordinated with the work of the local Amerika Haus or of the Information Center. A number of visiting American and European consultants will come to Germany. The Resident Officer will be informed of their availability and, through the Land Political Offices, may arrange to use them for consultation with city groups, town councils, city officials, and others. The consultants should, of course, be briefed on local conditions. Legislators at all levels should be encouraged to report to civic meetings on the work of the leg- islators and on proposed legislative action. They should be encouraged to make copies of pertinent pending legislation available to interested groups and to get community reaction to legislative pro- posals. Party leaders and local officials ought sim- ilarly to be encouraged to report on their work and to get the public reaction. Germans who have visited the U.S. and European countries will be returning from these visits to 29
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