CG/Assises(22)1

11.09.2012

13th September 2012 – Palais de l’Europe  – Room 1

9.30-12.30  –  14.30-17.30

PROGRAMME

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided into the 5 official languages
(English, French, German, Italian and Russian)

Additional up-to-date information will also be available on the Congress website

(http://www.coe.int/congress).

9.00 – 9.30 : REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS

During the October 2012 Session, the Congress will set its priorities for 2013-2016 according to its specific institutional role (the Congress is a consultative body representing both local and regional authorities of the member states of the Council of Europe) and the general framework of action of the Council of Europe.

Considering the role of the national associations, the Congress wants to take their specific proposals into account.  This is the main aim of this general meeting.  After having collected the national associations’ opinions, the rapporteurs will submit their proposals for adoption at the 23^rd Session of the Congress (16-18 October 2012).

Presentation by the Rapporteurs:

-       Lars MOLIN (Sweden, L, EPP/CD) and

-       Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ (Belgium, R, SOC)

Exchange of views

The representatives of the national associations are invited to present their opinions on the proposals they have received.

Conclusions of the rapporteurs

The Congress wishes to discuss with the associations on how we can develop synergies and also identify opportunities for concrete co-operation on issues of common interest.

The associations are therefore invited to take the floor to inform about concrete activities in their own country in priority fields of action and to present proposals to co-operate with and support the Congress.

In all European countries, local and regional authorities are confronted by the repercussions of the crisis and are facing, to varying degrees, numerous challenges of a social, economic and budgetary nature.  The Congress has already organised several debates and is currently preparing a report by its Current Affairs committee.

In this difficult context for local and regional authorities, what action can be taken by the associations and by the Congress to facilitate the exchange of experiences and to identify good practices at local and regional level?

Introduction by Jean-Claude FRECON, President of the Chamber of Local Authorities (France, L, SOC)

Exchange of views and contributions

Conclusions by Jean-Claude FRECON

The Council of Europe as a whole, and therefore also the Congress, in its own field of action, are developing and implementing targeted co-operation activities in member states and in neighbouring
non-member states of the Council of Europe. 

The Congress will present the activities it is currently undertaking in several member and non-member states in its specific field of competence.

During the exchange of views, the associations will be invited to present the activities they have taken in their country.

The debate will enable us to facilitate the exchange of information and to identify possibilities for partnership between the associations and the Congress.

New synergies can be developed between national associations and the Congress in order to support each other’s activities.  The Congress can also support and give a European dimension to bilateral actions already taken by certain national associations. 

Introduction by Keith WHITMORE, President of the Congress

Exchange of views

Conclusions by Keith WHITMORE

Good governance, including at local and regional level, has to be a priority in every country in order to eliminate citizens’ distrust in and disengagement from democratic processes.  Even more so in times of economic crisis, ethics, transparency and the struggle against corruption have to be priorities for local authorities.

The Congress considers that this topic should remain a priority. It is already working on several texts in this area and will suggest possibilities to continue this work.

The associations will present the actions undertaken in their countries.

These contributions and the exchange of views will allow a reciprocal exchange of information and identify possible joint actions.

Introduction by Herwig VAN STAA, President of the Chamber of Regions (Austria, R, EPP/CD)

Exchange of views

Conclusions by Herwig VAN STAA

After a presentation of the Campaign and of the Congress Strategic Action Plan, the aim of the debate and the exchange of views will be to identify and illustrate concrete actions that the associations and local and regional authorities can take in this field.

The Congress hopes that the national associations of local and regional authorities will encourage active involvement in the Campaign and the setting up of concrete action by local authorities.

Presentations by:

-       Anica DJAMIĆ, Committee of Ministers thematic co-ordinator on children, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the Council of Europe

-       Dusica DAVIDOVIC (Serbia, R, NR), Congress thematic rapporteur on children

Contribution by Peter TRATTNER, Director, Child Protection Centre, Salzburg, Austria

Exchange of views

Conclusions by Dusica DAVIDOVIC

The Secretary General will provide information on the role of the national associations particularly in assisting the head and the members of the national delegations and in establishing contact with the respective ministries acting in areas of local and regional democracy as well as with the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Statement by Andreas KIEFER, Secretary General of the Congress

Exchange of views