Creating the Conditions for Effective Regional Democracy

The conference will explore how an effective framework for regional democracy can be created in Europe.

Regions have a key role to play in policy making, in delivering services to the citizen and in ensuring the creation of vibrant, democratic societies.

In order to carry out these roles effectively, regions need to be endowed with appropriate competences and financial resources.

The national framework within which regions operate is a key factor in creating an enabling environment for regional democracy to flourish.

This conference will explore the key elements in creating an effective framework for the development of regional democracy.

It will take a comparative approach, drawing on examples from throughout Europe.

The key topics addressed will be the financing of regional democracy, the place of regions in national constitutions and the construction of effective local and regional government in transition countries.

We are fortunate to have a number of key academics and practitioners who will share their experiences with participants.

The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s body of experts on constitutional matters, will provide an analysis of the place that regional government is granted in constitutions in European countries and will analyse the importance of this for the functioning of the regions.

Professor Mussgnug, from the University of Heidelberg, will provide an analysis of the financing arrangements necessary to enable the effective functioning of regional government.

The OSCE will lead a workshop on the creation of effective regional and local government in transition countries.

Participants will also have the opportunity to examine the Council of Europe’s Charter on Regional Self-government.

Representatives of regions from throughout Europe will speak from their own experiences of the conditions necessary for the delivery of effective regional democracy.

This conference is open to participation from regional representatives from throughout Europe, as well as national and local government representatives and others interested in the topics addressed.

The conference is free of charge, and participants are responsible for covering their own transportation and accommodation costs. The working languages of the conference will be English and Serbian with simultaneous translation provided.



PROGRAMME


Tuesday 1 March

12.30 - 14.00
Registration and buffet lunch

14.00 - 14.30
Welcome, Boris Kostres, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Vojvodina
Welcome, Klaus Klipp, Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions

14.30 – 15.00
The European Charter on Regional Self-governance – a framework for the development of effective regional democracy – representative of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe (CLRAE)

15.00 - 15.30
Coffee Break

15.30 - 16.00
The evolution of regional democracy in Europe in the 21st Century
Riccardo Illy, President of the AER and Friuli Venezia Giulia, and representatives of AER member regions

16.00-17.30
Introductions to the key topics of the conference
- The place of regional governments in national Constitutions: a comparative analysis
Venice Commission representative
- Financing Regional Democracy in Europe
Professor Reinhard Mussgnug, Heidelberg University
- Building effective local and regional government in transition countries
OSCE representative

20.30
Official Dinner


Wednesday 2 March

09.00 - 09.15
Introduction to the Working Groups
Klaus Klipp, Secretary General, AER

09.15 - 10.30
Parallel Working Groups

Group (i) - The place of regional governments in national Constitutions: a case study of the autonomous province of Vojvodina
Facilitated by the Venice Commission

Group (ii) - Financing regional democracy in Europe
fFacilitated by Professor Reinhard Mussgnug, Heidelberg University

Group (iii) - Building democracy from the bottom up - the role of regional and local government in creating democratic societies
Facilitated by the OSCE

10.30 - 11.00
Coffee break

11.00 - 12.30
Parallel working groups (continued)

12.30 - 13.30
Lunch

13.30 - 14.15
Reports on conclusions of the Working Groups

14.15 - 14.45
Closing speeches
President Boris Kostres
President Riccardo Illy

14.45 - 15.15
Press Conference


INFO:
Assemblée des Régions d'Europe
Bureaux Europe, 20 Places des Halles
Telefono. 0033 3 8822007
Fax: 0033 3 88756719
Email: secretariat@a-e-r.otg
Web: www.a-e-r.org

Registration
AER Brussels Office
Place Sainctelette 2
B-1080 Brussels
Joanna Benfield
Telefono: 0032 2 4218512
Fax: 0032 2 4218481
Email: j.benfield@a-e-r.org