Strasbourg, 27 March 2009 CDLR(2009)20
Item 9.6 of the agenda
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY
(CDLR)
SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES OF OTHER
COUNCIL OF EUROPE BODIES
Secretariat Memorandum
prepared by the
Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs
Directorate of Democratic Institutions
 |
Foreword
The calendar of meetings of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe for 2009 appears in Appendix I. More detailed information on recent or next sessions or can be downloaded from the Congress website.
The first part of the Plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was held on 26–30 January 2009. The list of documents adopted on this occasion and being related to the field of work of the CDLR appears in Appendix II. The work programme (version of January 2009) of the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs of the Parliamentary Assembly appears in Appendix III. Other information on the sessions of the PACE (order of business, working documents, other documents adopted, speeches and verbatim reports) may be found on its website.
The final declaration of the recent session of Council of Europe Ministers responsible for Social Cohesion, held in Moscow on 26-27 February 2009, in which CDLR Chairman Paul van Kalmthout participated on behalf of the Committee, can be found in Appendix IV. More information about this Ministerial Session (e.g. the programme) or the Council of Europe activities in this field can be found on the relevant website of the Directorate General of Social Cohesion.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/socialpolicies
Action required
The CDLR members are invited to take note of the work of the above-mentioned bodies of the Council of Europe.
A P P E N D I X I
Calendar of the Congress for 2009
|
TIMETABLE OF EVENTS / CALENDRIER DES ÉVÉNEMENTS |
|
Date / Date |
Place / Lieu |
Event / Evénement |
Entity / Entité |
Représentants du Congrès |
Contact (Name/Nom & Email) |
Web Site / Site Web |
|
|
10/02/2009 12/02/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions Session plénière du Comité des Régions |
For information Pour information |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
13/02/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
ALDA: Governing Board and General Assembly ALDA: Conseil de Direction et Assemblée Générale |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Nichola Howson |
||
|
18/02/2009 |
Eupen BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Seminar on cross border cultural tourism in Europe Séminaire sur le tourisme culturel transfrontalier en Europe |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Joanne Hunting |
||
|
19/02/2009 |
Eupen BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Meeting of GT/CIR Réunion du GT/CIR |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Joanne Hunting |
||
|
19/02/2009 20/02/2009 |
Skopje "THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA" / "L'EX-REPUBLIQUE YOUGOSLAVE DE MACEDOINE" |
NALAS CLO Meeting and TF Association Development Réunion de NALAS CLO et TF Association Development |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Nichola Howson |
||
|
19/02/2009 20/02/2009 |
Berlin GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE |
Meeting with the German delegation to the Congress Réunions avec la délégation allemande du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
26/02/2009 27/02/2009 |
Moscow RUSSIAN FEDERATION / FÉDÉRATION DE RUSSIE |
Ministerial conference on social cohesion Conférence ministerielle sur la cohésion sociale |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Dolores Rios |
||
|
02/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Meeting of the Culture and Education Committee of the Congress Réunion de la Commission de la culture et de l'éducation du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Alexander Bartling, T Lisney |
||
|
02/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Bureaux of the Congress and its Chambers Bureaux du Congrès et de ses chambres |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
02/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Meeting of the Sustainable Development Committee of the Congress Réunion de la Commission du développement durable du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marité Moras |
|
Date / Date |
Place / Lieu |
Event / Evénement |
Entity / Entité |
Représentants du Congrès |
Contact (Name/Nom & Email) |
Web Site / Site Web |
|
|
03/03/2009 05/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
16th PLENARY SESSION OF THE CONGRESS 16ème SESSION PLENIERE DU CONGRES |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
05/03/2009 06/03/2009 |
Prague CZECH REPUBLIC / RÉPUBLIQUE TCHÈQUE |
Summit of the Committee of the Regions Sommet du Comité des Régions |
For information Pour information |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
09/03/2009 12/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
16/03/2009 22/03/2009 |
Istanbul TURKEY / TURQUIE |
5th World Water Forum - Bridging Divides for Water 5e Forum Mondial de l'Eau - Bridging Divides for Water (établir des passerelles entre nos divergences) |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Marité Moras |
http://www.worldwaterforum5.org |
|
|
20/03/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Contact Group Committee of the Regions / Congress Groupe de contact Comité des Régions / Congrès |
Congress : co-organiser Congrès : coorganisateur |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
22/03/2009 |
Skopje "THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA" / "L'EX-REPUBLIQUE YOUGOSLAVE DE MACEDOINE" |
Observation of local and Presidential elections in "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" Observation des élections locales et Présidentielles dans " l'ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine" |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Fredrik Holm |
||
|
23/03/2009 26/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
25/03/2009 25/03/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
CLIP - High-level political meeting |
Congress : co-organiser Congrès : coorganisateur |
|
Dolores Rios |
||
|
30/03/2009 31/03/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
5th Conference of the Council of Europe on the European Landscape Convention 5e Conférence du Conseil de l'Europe sur la Convention européenne du paysage |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Marité Moras |
http://www.coe.int/Conventioneuropeennedupaysage |
|
|
15/04/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
President's statement to the Committee of Ministers Intervention du Président devant le Comité de Ministres |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
20/04/2009 22/04/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions Session plénière du Comité des Régions |
For information Pour information |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
21/04/2009 24/04/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
22/04/2009 24/04/2009 |
Malmö SWEDEN / SUÈDE |
24th General Assembly of CEMR 24ème Assemblée générale du CCRE |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Jean-Paul Chauvet |
||
|
27/04/2009 30/04/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the Parliamentary Assembly Session de l'Assemblée parlementaire |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Antonella Cagnolati |
|
Date / Date |
Place / Lieu |
Event / Evénement |
Entity / Entité |
Représentants du Congrès |
Contact (Name/Nom & Email) |
Web Site / Site Web |
|
|
04/05/2009 07/05/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
07/05/2009 |
Paris FRANCE / FRANCE |
Bureaux of the Congress and its Chambers Bureaux du Congrès et de ses chambres |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
14/05/2009 15/05/2009 |
Istanbul TURKEY / TURQUIE |
NALAS CLO Meeting NALAS CLO Reunion |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Nichola Howson |
||
|
15/05/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Meeting of the Institutional Committee of the Congress Réunion de la Commission Institutionnelle du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Almut Schroeder |
||
|
04/06/2009 |
Kiev UKRAINE / UKRAINE |
International Council of Europe CEMAT Symposium on "A comprehensive approach to balanced sustainable spatial/regional development" Symposium international de la CEMAT du Conseil de l'Europe sur "Une approche globale pour un développement territorial équilibré durable" |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Marité Moras |
http://www.coe.int/CEMAT |
|
|
09/06/2009 |
Brdo SLOVENIA / SLOVÉNIE |
Bureaux of the Congress and its Chambers Bureaux du Congrès et de ses chambres |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
10/06/2009 11/06/2009 |
Lake Garda ITALY / ITALIE |
CLIP - Steering Committee meeting |
Congress : co-organiser Congrès : coorganisateur |
|
Dolores Rios |
||
|
10/06/2009 |
Brdo SLOVENIA / SLOVÉNIE |
Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Congress Réunion de la Commission permanente du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
16/06/2009 18/06/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions Session plénière du Comité des Régions |
For information Pour information |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
19/06/2009 |
Palais de l'Europe, Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Conference on "The European dimension of cross border co-operation" [organised by the Centre des recherches des Historiens de l'Université Robert Schuman FARE] Conférence sur "La dimension européenne de la coopération transfrontalière" |
Congress : co-organiser Congrès : coorganisateur |
|
Joanne Hunting |
||
|
06/07/2009 |
Maastricht NETHERLANDS / PAYS-BAS |
Bureaux of the Congress and its Chambers Bureaux du Congrès et de ses chambres |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
14/09/2009 17/09/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
|
Date / Date |
Place / Lieu |
Event / Evénement |
Entity / Entité |
Représentants du Congrès |
Contact (Name/Nom & Email) |
Web Site / Site Web |
|
|
17/09/2009 18/09/2009 |
Uzhgorod UKRAINE / UKRAINE |
International scientific conference on "The ecological situation in the Carpathian Region, its social consequences and ways of improvement" Conférence scientifique internationale sur "La situation écologique dans la région des Carpates et les moyens de l'améliorer" |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Marité Moras |
||
|
19/09/2009 (to be confirmed ) |
Bydgoszcz POLAND / POLOGNE |
Hearing on creative cities, and meeting of the Culture and Education Committee Audition sur les villes créatives, et réunion de la Commission Culture et Education |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Alexander Bartling |
||
|
21/09/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Bureaux of the Congress and its Chambers Bureaux du Congrès et de ses chambres |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
22/09/2009 23/09/2009 |
Amsterdam NETHERLANDS / PAYS-BAS |
8th CLIP meeting |
Congress : co-organiser Congrès : coorganisateur |
|
Dolores Rios |
||
|
05/10/2009 09/10/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Plenary Session & Open Days of the Committee of the Regions Session plénière et "Open Days" du Comité des Régions |
For information Pour information |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
08/10/2009 09/10/2009 |
Malmö SWEDEN / SUÈDE |
8th Meeting of the Council of Europe on the European Landscape Convention on "Landscape and driving forces" 8e Réunion du Conseil de l'Europe des Ateliers pour la mise en oeuvre de la Convention européenne du paysage sur "Paysage et "driving forces" |
For information Pour information |
|
Marité Moras |
http://www.coe.int/Conventioneuropeennedupaysage |
|
|
12/10/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Bureaux of the Congress and its Chambers Bureaux du Congrès et de ses chambres |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
12/10/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Meeting of the Institutional Committee of the Congress Réunion de la Commission institutionnelle du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Almut Schröder |
||
|
12/10/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Meeting of the Social Cohesion Committee of the Congress Réunion de la Commission de la cohésion sociale du Congrès |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Dolores Rios, Muriel Grimmeissen |
||
|
13/10/2009 15/10/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
17th PLENARY SESSION OF THE CONGRESS 17ème SESSION PLENIERE DU CONGRES |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Marie-Aude L'Hyver-Yésou |
||
|
19/10/2009 22/10/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
|
Date / Date |
Place / Lieu |
Event / Evénement |
Entity / Entité |
Représentants du Congrès |
Contact (Name/Nom & Email) |
Web Site / Site Web |
|
|
05/11/2009 07/11/2009 |
Ghent BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
General Assembly and annual conference of the AEBR Assemblée générale et conférence annuelle de l'ARFE |
Congress : represented Congrès : représenté |
|
Joanne Hunting |
||
|
16/11/2009 17/11/2009 |
Utrecht NETHERLANDS / PAYS-BAS |
16th Session of the Council of Europe Conference of European Ministers responsible for local and regional government 16ème Session de la Conférence du Conseil de l'Europe des Ministres responsables des collectivités locales et régionales |
Congress : organiser Congrès : organisateur |
|
Almut Schröder |
||
|
23/11/2009 26/11/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
||
|
01/12/2009 03/12/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions Session plénière du Comité des Régions |
For information Pour information |
|
Giampaolo Cordiale |
||
|
08/12/2009 09/12/2009 |
Brussels BELGIUM / BELGIQUE |
CLIP - High-Level Conference - 9th CLIP meeting |
Congress : co-organiser Congrès : coorganisateur |
|
Dolores Rios |
||
|
14/12/2009 17/12/2009 |
Strasbourg FRANCE / FRANCE |
Session of the European Parliament Session du Parlement européen |
For information Pour information |
|
Ulrich Bohner |
A P P E N D I X II
First part of the Plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) – 26 – 30 January 2009
Documents adopted being related to the field of work of the CDLR
|
Date |
Document title |
||||
|
29/01/2009 |
|
Resolution 1651 |
|||
|
30/01/2009 |
|
Recommendation 1860 |
|||
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30/01/2009 |
|
Resolution 1653 |
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A P P E N D I X III
WORK PROGRAMME OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT,
AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs
Commission de l’environnement, de l’agriculture et des questions territoriales
AS/ENA (2009) 02 rev.
25 February 2009
aena09_02rev
Work Programme
Secretariat of the Committee (Fax: +33 3 88 41 27 17)
Mrs Agnès NOLLINGER, Head of Secretariat tel: +33 3 88 41 22 88 [email protected]
Mr Bogdan TORCATORIU, co-Secretary tel: +33 3 88 41 32 82 [email protected]
Mrs Dana KARANJAC, co-Secretary tel: +33 3 90 21 48 77 [email protected]
Mrs Marie-Anne MENGER (Europe Prize) tel :+33 3 88 41 21 08 [email protected]
Mrs Hazel BASTIER, Senior Assistant tel: +33 3 88 41 30 93 [email protected]
Mrs Eliza KOPEC, Assistant tel: +33 3 90 21 45 95 [email protected]
REPORTS IN PREPARATION[1]
· The environment and renewable energies (Doc. 11154, ref. 3312 of 16/03/07 and Doc. 11197, ref. 3332 of 16/04/07, extended on 30/01/09 to 30/09/09 – for report at the Standing Committee) (Mr Le Grand, France EPP/CD)
· Nuclear energy and sustainable development (Doc. 11198, ref. 3333 of 16/04/07, extended on 30/01/09 to 30/10/09, opinion AS/Ec – for report at the Standing Committee) (Mr Etherington, UK, SOC)
· Growing food and fuel (Doc. 11443, ref. 3398 of 21/01/08, for report to the Standing Committee (Mr Evans, United Kingdom, EDG) (adopted by the Committee on 18 December 2008)
· Military waste and the environment (Doc. 11462, ref. 3404 of 21/01/08) (Mr Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD)
· Towards a new ocean governance (Doc. 11463, ref. 3405 of 21/01/08) (Mrs Melo, Portugal, SOC)
· Biodiversity and climate change (Doc. 11484, ref. 3409 of 25/01/08) (Ms Garcia Pastor, Andorra, ALDE)
· Noise and light pollution: serious risks for the environment (Doc. 11551, ref. 3439 of 18/04/08) (Mr Huseynov, Azerbaijan, ALDE)
· The challenges posed by climate change (Doc. 11581, ref. 3447 of 29/05/08, opinion AS/Mig) (Mr Prescott, United Kingdom, SOC)
· Water: a strategic challenge for the Mediterranean Basin (Doc. 11582, ref. 3448 of 29/05/08) (Mr Marquet, Monaco, ALDE)
· The fight against harm to the environment in the Mediterranean (Doc. 11586, ref 3452 of 23/06/08) (Mr Falzon, Malta, EPP/CD)
· Drafting an additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights, concerning the right to a healthy environment (Doc. 11729, ref. 3497 of 28/11/08) (Mr Mendes Bota, Portugal, EPP/CD)
· Forests: the future of our planet (Doc. 11634, ref. 3500 of 28/11/08, modifying ref. 3471 of 27/06/08) (Mr Timchenko, Russia, EDG)
· Geothermal energy: a solution for the future? (Doc. 11740, ref. 3504 of 26/01/09) (Rapporteur to be appointed)
· Armed conflicts and the environment (Doc. 11741, ref 3505 of 26/01/09) (Mr Ducarme, Belgium, ALDE)
Opinions and contributions
· Euro-Mediterranean: call for a Council of Europe strategy (Doc. 11507, ref. 3420 of 14/04/08) (Report by the Political Affairs Committee, with opinion AS/Ec) (Mr Ducarme, Belgium, ALDE)
· Regional co-operation (Doc. 11592, ref. 3454 of 23/06/08) (Report by the Political Affairs Committee (Mr Doric, Croatia, ALDE)
· The socio-economic potential of the Baltic Sea Region (Doc. 11678, ref. 3483 of 29/09/08, modified on 26/01/09) (Report by the Economic Committee) (Mr Lotman, Estonia, UEL)
· The real situation of rural women in Europe (Doc. 11773, ref. 3519 of 26/01/09) (Report by the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men) (Rapporteur to be appointed)
MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE AND SUB-COMMITTEES / SESSIONS / STANDING COMMITTEE and OTHER EVENTS WITHIN THE COMMITTEE’S COMPETENCE
2 0 0 9
|
Date and place |
Event |
Participant(s) |
MARCH
|
13, Paris |
Standing Committee |
|
|
13, Szeged (Hongrie) |
General Assembly of Europe Prize-Winning Towns |
Chair S/c PRIX |
|
17-20, Istanbul |
5th World Water Forum |
Chair + Mr Marquet |
APRIL
|
2-3, Enschedé (NL) |
Conference “Innovation for good local and regional governance – A European challenge” |
Mr Doric |
|
22-24, Strasbourg |
CDLR |
Mr Doric |
|
27-30, Strasbourg |
Assembly session |
MAY
|
14-15, St. Petersburg |
Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Sustainable Development (open to all members) |
JUNE
|
5, Paris (National Assembly) |
Committee meeting |
|
|
9, Brdo (Slovenia) |
Standing Committee of the Congress |
Mr Doric (to confirm) |
|
22-26, Strasbourg |
Assembly session |
SEPTEMBER
|
28 – 2 October, Strasbourg |
Assembly session |
OCTOBER
|
13-15, Strasbourg |
Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Local and Regional Democracy** on the occasion of the 17th plenary session of the Congress |
S/c LOC** |
NOVEMBER
|
15-17, Stockholm |
Forum on Human Rights (on climate change) |
To decide |
|
16-17, Utrecht (Netherlands) |
16th Conference of European Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government |
To decide |
* Subject to authorisation of the Bureau ** To be confirmed
A P P E N D I X IV
Moscow, 27 February 2009
COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS
RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL COHESION
“INVESTING IN SOCIAL COHESION -
INVESTING IN STABILITY AND THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY”
Moscow, 26 - 27 February 2009
DECLARATION
Emphasising that social cohesion, the capacity of a society to ensure the welfare of all its members by minimising disparities and avoiding polarisation, is more relevant than ever and requires a renewed political commitment;
Convinced that a rights-based approach to social cohesion calls for social and economic policy measures that provide effective access to their rights for everyone, especially for anyone who lives in, or is at risk of, poverty and social exclusion;
Recognising that, while building and maintaining social cohesion is first and foremost the duty of individual member States, mutual co-operation - particularly through the exchange of knowledge and experience and through dialogue on issues that transcend national borders - greatly assists progress towards social cohesion;
Building on the valuable contribution of the Council of Europe in this field, particularly through the transformation of the social cohesion concept into a series of policy goals and actions;
Expressing our support for Council of Europe legal instruments for social rights, in particular the European Social Charter and revised European Social Charter, the European Code of Social Security and its Protocol, the European Convention on Social Security as well as for the Disability Action Plan;
Aware of the fact that responsibility for social cohesion is shared by all and requires active and integrated policies involving different levels of government, the private sector and civil society in a transversal approach;
Suggesting that governments should react to current challenges and opportunities - particularly globalisation, the democratic functioning of institutions, political, socioeconomic, demographic and health-related changes, migration and cultural diversity - and strengthen citizens’ confidence in the future by taking relevant measures, particularly developing new approaches taking into account the Revised Social Cohesion Strategy and the High-Level Task Force report;
Underliningthe important role of the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CDCS), particularly in its steering, coordinating and evaluating functions and its role of facilitating co-operation among member States.
WELCOME the report of the High-Level Task Force, particularly the four priorities that it suggests, and on this basis
REQUEST the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe:
· to recognise that social cohesion supports the core objectives of the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
· to review the Revised Social Cohesion Strategy in the light of the High-Level Task Force report, taking into account the challenges resulting from the global economic crisis;
· on the basis of this review, to draw up a Council of Europe Action Plan in the field of social cohesion, building on existing activities and taking financial resources into account;
· to entrust this work to the European Committee of Social Cohesion, in co-operation with other relevant Council of Europe bodies, and with a view to reporting to the Committee of Ministers regularly;
· to intensify cooperation with the European Union, relevant United Nations bodies and other international institutions working in this field, in order to optimise efforts and create synergies;
COMMIT OURSELVES
Taking into account the transversal approach to social cohesion which is advocated in the High- Level Task Force report, to develop an integrated social cohesion policy in conformity with our national conditions;
With particular regard to the discussions held during the Conference:
- Promoting social rights: to acknowledge that social security and social protection are pillars of social cohesion; to promote the ratification of relevant Council of Europe instruments, including the European Social Charter and Revised European Social Charter, as well as the European Code of Social Security and its Protocol and the European Convention on Social Security;
- Sharing responsibilities and strengthening mechanisms of representation and social and civic dialogue: to encourage public authorities at all levels (central, regional and local government) to develop co-operation with civil society and, through constructive dialogue, to promote shared responsibility for social cohesion and effective cooperation in working towards achieving it;
- Building confidence in a secure future for all: to provide good governance and develop innovative policies which encourage individuals to trust democratic institutions; to alleviate the consequences of the current economic crisis by providing adequate social protection in conformity with both Council of Europe standards and active labour market policies; to facilitate social mobility, providing opportunity for all, and to encourage individuals, families and local stakeholders to develop their own life projects, with a specific focus on work as the best route out of poverty and on the reconciliation of private and working life;
SUGGEST that the next session of the Conference of Ministers take place in 2012;
Welcome the offer from Turkey to host the next Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Social Cohesion in 2012;
INVITE the Secretary General to forward the declaration adopted by the Conference to the relevant bodies of the Council of Europe and other international institutions.
* * *
The Ministers responsible for Social Cohesion in Council of Europe member States express their sincere gratitude to the Russian Government for all its efforts, which ensured the success of the Conference, and their congratulations on the perfect organisation of the event.