“The continuous engagement and consultation of local authorities by the central level is essential in responding to environmental challenges”, stated Rafael Benitez, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, at a workshop on human rights and the environment at the local level, held online on 12 December 2022. The event, which was organised on the occasion of the international of Human Rights Day, brought together 70 participants, including local authorities, representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Public Defender’s regional offices as well as civil society organisations from Georgia.
Congress rapporteurs Belinda Gottardi (Italy, SOC/G/PD) and Levan Zhorzholiani (Georgia, NR) presented the Congress report on “A fundamental right to the environment – a matter for local and regional authorities”, and discussed with the participants specific recommendations to help local authorities address challenges in the sphere of environmental protection and climate change, stressing the interrelation between the environment and the relevant human rights at local level in Georgia. The workshop also presented the Congress’ latest human rights handbook for local and regional authorities, which has been translated into Georgian.
The Georgian local authorities stressed the importance of strengthening the participation of citizens, and especially of youth and vulnerable groups, in identifying sustainable solutions in the fight against environmental degradation and climate change.
This event was organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia”, implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Directorate General of Democracy, Division of Elections and Participatory Democracy, within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023 with the financial contribution of the Austrian Development Cooperation. The project aims to strengthen institutional frameworks for citizen participation, support local authorities and their national association in their efforts to protect and promote human rights and ensure that civil society organisations have real impact on local decision making.
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