The role of local and regional authorities in effectively responding to the challenges facing European democracies, and their role in supporting Ukraine, stopping democratic backsliding, protecting human rights, saving the environment, and enabling young people’s involvement in democratic action is the focus of the two-day conference of associations of local and regional authorities from the 46 member states that started at the Council of Europe on 12 September 2024. Organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the conference is held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the 30th anniversary of the Congress, under the auspices of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Congress President Marc Cools stressed that this gathering of representatives from around 60 national associations across Europe symbolised the common commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. “In the multi-level governance system, the role of local and regional authorities is especially vital. As the level closest to the citizens, we are on the front lines, addressing the needs of our communities and implementing policies that directly impact our citizens,” said the Congress President, adding that national associations were crucial partners of the Congress in defending the principles of the European Charter of Local Self Government and promoting European values at the grassroots.
Arnoldas Abramavičius, Vice-Minister of Interior, on behalf of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, stressed that “democracy thrives at local level where citizens’ voices are heard most directly and where the principles of human rights and the rule of law must be firmly defended”. “Our local and regional authorities are the guardians of these values, and they play a crucial role in building inclusive, sustainable and resilient societies,” he said.
“I hope that this Conference and our Joint Declaration will signal the next phase in the ever-closer, ever-productive relationship between the Council of Europe and the national associations of local and regional authorities,” underlined Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, addressing the conference participants. “At this very critical moment for European democracy, we must work together to restore the faith of our citizens, in our political institutions and our democracy,” he said. The joint declaration to reaffirm the commitment to the Council of Europe’s values and standards, and to give a renewed momentum to the partnership between the Congress and national associations, will be adopted by the conference participants and published on 13 September.
“To make democracy more resilient, we must actively involve young people in decision-making processes, especially at local level,” emphasised Congress Youth Delegate from Andorra Lisa Cruz Lackner, adding that youth participation fostered innovation, energy, and fresh perspectives.
The debate on the role of national associations in strengthening territorial democracy and multilevel governance was introduced by Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul and President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities and Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.
The roundtable sessions of the conference will evolve around the following themes: “Resilience, reconstruction and reform of Ukraine”, “Boosting democracy by engaging all citizens” and “Local innovation for stronger local authorities”.
The Conference is open to the media and streamed online.
