European Local Democracy Week: Citizens’ participation is the backbone of democracy, says Keith Whitmore

Strasbourg 04.11.2010: “As President of the Congress, I will continue to support the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), which is a significant initiative for citizens’ participation, launched by the Congress,” new Congress President Keith Whitmore stressed commenting on the first results of the Week’s 2010 edition, on the occasion of the Congress’ 19th Session He pointed out that over 150 municipalities from 25 European countries had taken part in the ELDW during the month of October 2010. Amongst those participating for the first time included several capital cities and large municipalities, which considerably increased the number of people involved in the ELDW.

“Citizens’ participation is the backbone of democracy, and this participation begins when people become aware that they have the right to take action, and are capable of doing so,” continued President Whitmore. “We are convinced that participatory processes constitute the basis of any grassroots’ policy, and are crucial to the good functioning of democracy in all our countries,” he said.

“In 2010, the ELDW received positive feedback with regard to its general theme of the ‘climate change and environmental challenges’. We look forward to choosing a new theme for the 2011 edition of the Week, which would be able to meet again the interests of our local communities across the 47 member states of the Council of Europe,” added the new President.