The IDI International Symposium for Training Specialists was held in Oslo, Norway from 3-9 June 2001 with sole funding by the Norwegian government. It was attended by about 140 participants from more than 80 countries, including some 110 Training Specialists, i.e. the graduates of the CDDC and ITC from all the six regions where the LTRTP has been conducted till date. Many staff members of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) of Canada, who were involved in LTRTP as IDI-Canada staff, instructors and subject matter experts were also invited. The Norwegian Minister for International Development was also present on June 7 to give a message and award certificates to the participants.
The symposium had the following three main objectives:
The IDI International Symposium provided an invaluable opportunity for strengthening the network of regional training specialists, promoting cross regional cooperation and the exchange of both training and audit related information. One major challenge was the linguistic barrier separating participants from different linguistic regions. This was partially surmounted by the very good simultaneous interpretation provided during the Symposium. The various presentations and contributions during panel discussions by the ASOSA1 representatives were widely appreciated by the IDI and participants.
The arrangements made by IDI were excellent in all respects. We acknowledge our gratitude to the IDI, the OAG-Norway, Norwegian Government and the OAG-Canada for making this symposium possible. We also acknowledge the support of all the SAIs concerned for allowing their respective training specialists to participate in the Symposium and thereby contributing to its success.