GENERAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES
OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES AND OBSERVERS - CG/CONF/ASSOC (12) 1

Strasbourg, 23-24 February 2006
Council of Europe
(room 1)

PROGRAMME

Thursday, 23 February 2006

3:00 pm OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE

Opening speeches
Président : Giovanni DI STASI, President of the Congress

3:45-4:30 PRESS CONFERENCE (room 2)

4:00 pm Coffee break

4:30 pm GENERAL INTRODUCTION:
THE CONGRESS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES – A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION

What is the role that the Congress has played and is now playing vis-à-vis the associations? What is the associations' position vis-à-vis the Congress? What is the importance of the Congress in their programme of international/European activities.

These questions deserve an answer and, particularly a political analysis of the relationships as they were defined in the beginning, when the Conference was set up - and afterwards the Congress, but also as they have evolved with the passing years and particularly how they should be in the framework of the political forum which the Congress has become.

Président : Giovanni DI STASI, Président du Congrès

Exchange of views
7:00 pm Reception - Town Hall, Place Broglie, Strasbourg

Friday, 24 February 2006
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9:00 am CONGRESS – NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: THE EXPECTATIONS ON BOTH SIDES

This session should be introduced and directed by addresses by members of the Congress and chairpersons of national associations, who will be asked to explain what the Congress brings to their associations and vice versa. In one "category" as much as in the other, it will be important to hear representatives of both western Europe and central and eastern Europe.

President : Halvdan SKARD, President of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Congress

10:00-11:00 am Debate

11:00-11:30am Coffee break

11:30-12:30 am TOWARDS A CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE CONGRESS AND THE ASSOCIATIONS

The aim of this session will be to examine and discuss some proposals for co-operation and to see how joint efforts might bring added value to both the Congress and the associations.

President : Jean-Pierre KLEIN, President of the « Syndicat des Villes et Communes Luxembourgeoises » (SYVICOL), « Bourgmestre » of Steinsel, Congress member
►1. The Congress AND the associations – a platform for joint experimentation relating to subjects of shared interest (urban security, social indicators, the trafficking of human beings, migrants, sustainable development…)

►2. Communication policy (web, publications…) – how to acquire a new platform for dialogue and communication

12:30am-2:30pm Lunch break

2:30-4:00 pm TOWARDS A CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE CONGRESS AND THE ASSOCIATIONS (continuation)
President : Günther KRUG, “Mitglied des Abgeordnetenhauses” de Berlin,
Vice-President of the Congress

►3. Election observation – participation of the associations in the tasks of the Congress

►4. Consultation of the Associations on the major texts prepared by the Congress (Conventions, Charters, Declarations…)

4:00-4:30 pm Coffee break

4:30-5:30 pm ROUND TABLE: CONGRESS AND ASSOCIATIONS - WHAT COMMON CAUSE?

President : Yavuz MILDON, President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress,
Member of the Provincial Council of Canakkale Center

· Emin YERITSYAN, Board Coordinator of the Association of Communities of Armenia (CAA), Councillor of the Community of Parakar
· Adi ELDAR, President of the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI)
· Edi RAMA, Mayor of Tirana, President, Association of Municipalities of Albania (AAM)
· M……….

This Round Table session, which will be led by a specialist journalist, Daniel RIOT, will draw the initial conclusions, highlight the main points made in the discussions and produce initial proposals so as to formalise the ideas most favourably received.

CONCLUSIONS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS