MCL-16(2009)1 rev.[1]
Council of Europe Conference
of Ministers responsible
for Local and Regional Government
“Good local and regional governance in
turbulent times: the challenge of change”
16th Session, Utrecht, 16 - 17 November 2009
Programme and draft agenda |
DRAFT AGENDA
1. |
Opening of the 16th Session |
2. |
Election of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference |
3. |
Adoption of the agenda |
4. |
The Kiviniemi report: How to enhance the work of the Council of Europe in the field of local and regional democracy? |
5. |
Progress review reports: - Implementation of the Budapest Agenda by the Council of Europe and member States - Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance - European Local Democracy Week - Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform - Co-operation programmes |
6. |
Exchange of views between the Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities |
7. |
Debate on key topics: - Impact of the economic crisis on local and regional government: what policy responses by governments? - Transfrontier co-operation: the role of central government in removing obstacles |
8. |
Debate: What are the most important challenges governments face in local and regional democracy today? |
9. |
Vote by Ministers to determine the Utrecht Agenda |
10. |
Exchange of practice and experience on issues of local and regional democracy and good governance Including: Report on developments on citizen participation in member states, covering also the integration of foreigners in local life |
11. |
Council of Europe Reference Framework for Regional Democracy |
12. |
Other business |
13. |
Adoption of the Utrecht Declaration and Final Resolution |
14. |
Closing of the Session |
PROGRAMME
Sunday 15 November 2009 |
|
Afternoon |
Arrival of Ministers and other participants |
17:00-18:30 |
Meeting of the European Committee on Local and Regional Democracy (CDLR) Venue: Jaarbeurs Congres Gebouw, Jaarbeursplein, Utrecht |
19:00-22:30 18:45-22:30 |
Welcome reception and buffet dinner for Delegations hosted by the Province of Utrecht Venue: National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ Steenweg 6, Utrecht |
Dinner hosted by the Queen’s Commissioner in the Province of Utrecht (Ministers only) Fireside chat (Ministers only) Venue: Paushuis Kromme Nieuwegracht 49, Utrecht |
Monday 16 November 2009 |
|
9:00-10:00 |
Venue: Jaarbeurs Congres Gebouw, Jaarbeursplein, Utrecht Opening of the 16th session Election of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference Statements: - Secretary General of the Council of Europe - Host Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands - Chair of the Committee of Ministers - President of the Parliamentary Assembly - President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - Mayor of the City of Utrecht - Queen’s Commissioner in the Province of Utrecht Adoption of the Agenda |
10:00-12:15 |
The Kiviniemi report: How to enhance the work of the Council of Europe in the field of local and regional democracy? - Introductory statement by Minister Mari Kiviniemi - Discussion |
11:10-11:40 |
Break and photograph |
11:40-12:15 |
The Kiviniemi report (continued) |
12:15-12:45 |
Progress review reports: - Implementation of the Budapest Agenda by the Council of Europe and member States - Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance - European Local Democracy Week - Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform - Co-operation programmes |
Monday 16 November 2009 |
|
12:55-14:30 |
Luncheon hosted by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for ministers / heads of delegation, delegations from Congress and Parliamentary Assembly Luncheon for other participants hosted by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations |
14:30-16:15 |
Debate on key topics: - Impact of the economic crisis on local and regional government: what policy responses by governments? - Transfrontier co-operation: the role of central government in removing obstacles |
16:15-16:45 |
Break |
16:45 -17:30 |
Debate on the Utrecht Agenda: What are the most important challenges governments face in local and regional democracy today? |
17:30-18:00 |
Vote to determine the Utrecht Agenda (2010-2013) |
18:00-19:00 |
Meeting of the European Committee on Local and Regional Democracy (CDLR) (NB: amendments to the draft Utrecht Declaration will be decided upon by the Ministers themselves on the second day). |
19:30-19:45 19:50 19:45-20:30 20:30 |
Venue: Railway Museum Maliebaanstation, Utrecht Ceremony of opening for signature of: - the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self- Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority and - Protocol No. 3 to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Press conference by host ministers, open to all ministers and meetings of ministers with the press, subject to prior appointment Cocktail offered by the Mayor of the City of Utrecht Dinner hosted by the Mayor of the City of Utrecht |
Tuesday 17 November 2009 |
|
9:00-9:30 |
Venue: Jaarbeurs Congres Gebouw, Jaarbeursplein, Utrecht Council of Europe Reference Framework for Regional Democracy |
9:30-10:45 |
Discussion of the draft for the Utrecht Declaration and the draft Final Resolution |
10:45-11:15 |
Break |
11:15-12:30 |
Exchange of practice and experience on issues of local and regional democracy and good governance Including: Discussion of the Report on developments on citizen participation in member states, covering also the integration of foreigners in local life |
12:30-13:00 |
Adoption of the Utrecht Declaration Adoption of the Final Resolution Other business Closing of the 16th Session |
13:00 |
Press conference by the host Ministers and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe |
13:00-14:30 |
Buffet lunch offered by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations |
Afternoon |
Departure of Ministers and other participants Optional events: - Geldmuseum & Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt / Money Museum & - Utrecht and the Dutch Gaming Industry - Theatrical Utrecht Canal Tour - Peace of Utrecht and Domsquare – Origin of the City Tour |
[1] In the revised version, items 2 and 3 of the draft agenda were inverted. The programme has been modified accordingly. Furthermore, the programme for ministers on Sunday evening (15 November) will now commence at 18:45, not 19:00.