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Ref. CG-PR013 (2017)

10^th anniversary of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW)

Strasbourg, 29 March 2017 – In the context of its 32^nd Session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe held an exchange of views on European Local Democracy Week (ELDW). The Week celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2017 and the theme is: “Citizen participation, consultation and commitment for a thriving local democracy” – Since it was first launched in 2007, ELDW has helped to bring citizens and local elected representatives closer.

“The ELDW has become a truly pan-European event that presents an opportunity to promote participatory democracy at the closest level to citizens”, stated Gaye Doganoglu (Turkey, EPP/CCE), Vice-President of the Congress and ELDW Spokesperson. She praised the ELDW partner cities’ commitment and in particular the cities of Katowice (Poland) and Stockton on Tees (United Kingdom,) which were at the session to share their experience. Katarzyna Borkowska, Director of the Administration Department of the City of Katowice, ELDW partner since 2009, said that the citizens of Katowice took a keen interest in the Week and a growing number of people took part from year to year.

“Our contribution to the ELDW has helped us in a number of ways. For example: increasing the levels of voter registration, providing a launch-pad for new campaigns and initiatives, increasing the number of schools who have school councils, and increasing the effectiveness of our engagement with young people” also detailed Ann McCoy, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Stockton on Tees Council, partner city since 2011.

“We must pursue our work in this field and increase the number of partners involved in ELDW in our 47 member states” said Gaye Doganoglu. She called on the members of the Congress to take part in the next ELDW from 9 to 15 October 2017.

From 9 to 15 October 2017 – the official dates of ELDW – but also during the entire month of October, the towns and cities of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe and beyond, and their national associations, are invited to apply this theme by means of activities aimed at stimulating citizen participation at local and regional levels.

Allocution by Gaye Doganoglu

Allocution by Ann McCoy

Allocution by Katarzyna Borkowska

Video of the debate

Video clip “10 years of ELDW”

Photo Galery

ELDW Website

File 32nd Session

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Planning, Coordination and institutional Communication Unit

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www.coe.int/congress

The Congress has two chambers, the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions. It brings together 324 full and 324 substitute members representing more than 200 000 European territorial communities.

President of the Congress: Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Anders Knape (Sweden, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions: Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP-CCE)

Political Groups: Socialist Group (SOC), Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CCE), Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG), European Conservatives & Reformists Group  (ECR)