We need remembrance for a peaceful future
On January 27th, 1945, 66 years ago, the German concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz‐ Birkenau was liberated by the Russian Army, giving name to the International Holocaust Memorial Day on that date every year.
A new Europe has been built on the ruins of war and hatred, with the conviction that something like the Shoah should never be allowed to happen again.
Against such a back‐ground Local Democracy Agencies were established in the wake of the conflict leading to the break‐up of the former Yugoslavia with the objective of helping to build a society founded on democratic principles, rule of law and respect for human and minority rights.
On January 27th, 1945, 66 years ago, the German concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz‐ Birkenau was liberated by the Russian Army, giving name to the International Holocaust Memorial Day on that date every year.
A new Europe has been built on the ruins of war and hatred, with the conviction that something like the Shoah should never be allowed to happen again.
Against such a back‐ground Local Democracy Agencies were established in the wake of the conflict leading to the break‐up of the former Yugoslavia with the objective of helping to build a society founded on democratic principles, rule of law and respect for human and minority rights.
COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICES, CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN TURKEY
The two days activities in the framework of LAR 2 (Further support to Local Administrative Reform in Turkey), conducted by the Director of ALDA, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, took place in Antalya the 24th and 25th of January 2011.
70 medium size municipalities took part in the training which based on the presentation of best practices in local government.
The experiences presented with the support of videos are :
1. the city of Strasbourg : intermodal urban transport
2. the city of Reggio Emilia : the international experience of social services for the infants and Reggio Children
3. the city of Brindisi : an experience of dialogue with citizens
4. the city of La Paz and the World bank Institute : tackling corruption : http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/Preventing_Corruption_web/index.htm
The training was interactive and made the participants living a peer to peer experience, which is so useful for local government and civil servants. A specific case on tourism, was presented by the Mayor Necdet Aksoy , from the city of Sanfranbolu. The second day was open to the a civil servant of the Ministry of Interior, whom exchanged many concrete inputs with the participants.
The module on Communities of Practices will continue throughout February and March and the final join training will be in Ankara on the 6th and 7th of April 2011.
The two days activities in the framework of LAR 2 (Further support to Local Administrative Reform in Turkey), conducted by the Director of ALDA, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, took place in Antalya the 24th and 25th of January 2011.
70 medium size municipalities took part in the training which based on the presentation of best practices in local government.
The experiences presented with the support of videos are :
1. the city of Strasbourg : intermodal urban transport
2. the city of Reggio Emilia : the international experience of social services for the infants and Reggio Children
3. the city of Brindisi : an experience of dialogue with citizens
4. the city of La Paz and the World bank Institute : tackling corruption : http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/Preventing_Corruption_web/index.htm
The training was interactive and made the participants living a peer to peer experience, which is so useful for local government and civil servants. A specific case on tourism, was presented by the Mayor Necdet Aksoy , from the city of Sanfranbolu. The second day was open to the a civil servant of the Ministry of Interior, whom exchanged many concrete inputs with the participants.
The module on Communities of Practices will continue throughout February and March and the final join training will be in Ankara on the 6th and 7th of April 2011.
SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE COOPERATION CONVENTION BETWEEN HERMANVILLE-SUR-MER (FR) AND VEVCANI (MK)
Mr. Jacques Lelandais, Mayor of Hermanville-sur-Mer and Mr. Pero Ilievski, Mayor of Vevcani, signed a Convention for cooperation between the two cities on 17th January 2011. The Convention is expected to have positive impact on youth exchange, ICT, multimedia libraries and schools, tourism and cultural heritage, etc.
�The delegation of Hermanville-sur-Mer, composed of 11 Municipal Councillors, public servants and experts was happy to visit Vevcani during the traditional Vevchani Carnival, a Macedonian local and cultural tradition. The two Mayors discussed similarities between the two cities on architectural, cultural and historic level and expressed hopes for productive cooperation.
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The signature followed after several technical meetings where general objectives of the cooperation had been discussed. During the six day visit, the French delegation and different representatives of Vevcani Municipality, held several workshops presenting the two regions and their structure. The workshops were themed according to objectives of the cooperation: folklore, tourism and cultural heritage; youth exchange and equality rights; education, information and multimedia, etc.
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The group of elected representatives from Hermanville-sur-Mer, expressed its gratitude for the warm Macedonian reception, admired the Carnival spirit and held successful meetings with the institutional managers of Vevcani.
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“The signing of this Convention meets our objectives and completes our mutual cooperation. The Convention was the key addition to our development policy and cultural progress” – said Mr. Ilievski, the Mayor of Vevcani.
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The three year Convention will enter into force at the beginning of this year.
Town twinning is part of the Project for decentralized cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and the Region of Lower Normandy, France. This program is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For any further information about the project please consult:
http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/francais
or contact Ivana Dimitrovska: ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintrenet.org
Mr. Jacques Lelandais, Mayor of Hermanville-sur-Mer and Mr. Pero Ilievski, Mayor of Vevcani, signed a Convention for cooperation between the two cities on 17th January 2011. The Convention is expected to have positive impact on youth exchange, ICT, multimedia libraries and schools, tourism and cultural heritage, etc.
�The delegation of Hermanville-sur-Mer, composed of 11 Municipal Councillors, public servants and experts was happy to visit Vevcani during the traditional Vevchani Carnival, a Macedonian local and cultural tradition. The two Mayors discussed similarities between the two cities on architectural, cultural and historic level and expressed hopes for productive cooperation.
�
The signature followed after several technical meetings where general objectives of the cooperation had been discussed. During the six day visit, the French delegation and different representatives of Vevcani Municipality, held several workshops presenting the two regions and their structure. The workshops were themed according to objectives of the cooperation: folklore, tourism and cultural heritage; youth exchange and equality rights; education, information and multimedia, etc.
�
The group of elected representatives from Hermanville-sur-Mer, expressed its gratitude for the warm Macedonian reception, admired the Carnival spirit and held successful meetings with the institutional managers of Vevcani.
�
“The signing of this Convention meets our objectives and completes our mutual cooperation. The Convention was the key addition to our development policy and cultural progress” – said Mr. Ilievski, the Mayor of Vevcani.
�
The three year Convention will enter into force at the beginning of this year.
Town twinning is part of the Project for decentralized cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and the Region of Lower Normandy, France. This program is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For any further information about the project please consult:
http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/francais
or contact Ivana Dimitrovska: ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintrenet.org
ALDA IS SEARCHING FOR 2 VOLUNTEERS (FRENCH OR RESIDENTS IN FRANCE)
ALDA is preparing a proposal for the “Youth in Action. Action 2 – European Voluntary Service” whose deadline is the 1st of February. The proposal (entitled “VOICE”) consists of group exchanges of volunteers between several European Structures and South Eastern Europe organizations.
ALDA holds an accreditation as Coordinating and Sending organization inside the European Voluntary service (EVS). It will coordinate “VOICE” and send volunteers towards two of the project’s partners.
ALDA’s staff would like to select 2 volunteers that will be sent as EVS, one in Serbia (city of Nis) for a period of 6 months, one in the Republic of Macedonia (city of Prilep) for a period of 9 months.
The starting period of the exchange should be beginning 2012.
ALDA is preparing a proposal for the “Youth in Action. Action 2 – European Voluntary Service” whose deadline is the 1st of February. The proposal (entitled “VOICE”) consists of group exchanges of volunteers between several European Structures and South Eastern Europe organizations.
ALDA holds an accreditation as Coordinating and Sending organization inside the European Voluntary service (EVS). It will coordinate “VOICE” and send volunteers towards two of the project’s partners.
ALDA’s staff would like to select 2 volunteers that will be sent as EVS, one in Serbia (city of Nis) for a period of 6 months, one in the Republic of Macedonia (city of Prilep) for a period of 9 months.
The starting period of the exchange should be beginning 2012.
ALDA ENGAGED IN THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION REFORM IN TURKEY
In these last years and in particular in view of the recent constitutional reform, the system of local authorities and in general local administration is now under review and reformed.
In particular, the capacities of the municipalities to receive competences and adequate resources is to be strengthened and developed. European Commission and UNDP launched the project “Support to Further Implementation of Local Administration Reform in Turkey” (LAR Phase II). The beneficiaries are the Ministry of Interior and the local authorities. The Director of ALDA, Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, is senior international trainer in the programme.
The overall objective of the project is to ensure effective, transparent, inclusive and participatory local administration in Turkey, in particular through full implementation of the new legislation adopted in 2003-2005.
ALDA is fully involved thanks to its support and experts in two of the main components of the projects, namely the training activities and the study tours. The Director of ALDA is senior international trainer in the programme as for the support to build a community of Practices and the approach of peer to peer learning and peer to peer assistance. She is working together with two local senior experts, Prof. Bekir Chair of Public administration Department at ULUDAG University Mursa, and Prof. Yakup Bulut, from the Mustafa Kemal University and expert in civil society participation.
The study tour component will bring to the United Kingdom 25 local authorities from Tureky, for a week.
They will therefore approach the British experience in different fields. ALDA involved very high level experts and members of the organisation.
In these last years and in particular in view of the recent constitutional reform, the system of local authorities and in general local administration is now under review and reformed.
In particular, the capacities of the municipalities to receive competences and adequate resources is to be strengthened and developed. European Commission and UNDP launched the project “Support to Further Implementation of Local Administration Reform in Turkey” (LAR Phase II). The beneficiaries are the Ministry of Interior and the local authorities. The Director of ALDA, Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, is senior international trainer in the programme.
The overall objective of the project is to ensure effective, transparent, inclusive and participatory local administration in Turkey, in particular through full implementation of the new legislation adopted in 2003-2005.
ALDA is fully involved thanks to its support and experts in two of the main components of the projects, namely the training activities and the study tours. The Director of ALDA is senior international trainer in the programme as for the support to build a community of Practices and the approach of peer to peer learning and peer to peer assistance. She is working together with two local senior experts, Prof. Bekir Chair of Public administration Department at ULUDAG University Mursa, and Prof. Yakup Bulut, from the Mustafa Kemal University and expert in civil society participation.
The study tour component will bring to the United Kingdom 25 local authorities from Tureky, for a week.
They will therefore approach the British experience in different fields. ALDA involved very high level experts and members of the organisation.
ALDA SUPPORTS THE CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH A STATUTE FOR EUROPEAN ASSOCIATIONS
ALDA participates in the work of the European Alliance for the Statute of the European Association (EASEA). The Alliance works towards mobilising support for a statute for European Associations. Currently Associations can�t formally be considered as European Associations, but have to register nationally and function as either national or international organisations.
The campaign seeks to make it possible for Associations to adopt a European legal standard that would allow Associations to hold an official status as European association. This legal standard wouldn�t necessarily replace national laws for registration of associations, but could work as an optional possibility for Associations wishing to be considered as European. Such a statute would promote the role of civil society in European politics, would respect the right to create associations at all levels and would remove the administrative constraints that some European associations are facing today.
The campaign for a statute for European Associations was launched in November last year with a written declaration for MEPs. So far almost 90 MEPs have signed the declaration. The declaration has to be signed by a majority of the Members of the European Parliament, only then can it formally be forwarded to the European Commission.
The Alliance and ALDA encourage individuals and Associations to contact their MEPs and ask them to sign the written declaration. ALDA will also work with the Alliance to ask MEPs to sign the declaration during the European Parliament session in Strasbourg from January 17-20. The time limit for securing enough signatures is 17 February 2011.
For more information and the written declaration in various languages please visit:
www.europeanstatuteswrittendeclaration.eu
ALDA participates in the work of the European Alliance for the Statute of the European Association (EASEA). The Alliance works towards mobilising support for a statute for European Associations. Currently Associations can�t formally be considered as European Associations, but have to register nationally and function as either national or international organisations.
The campaign seeks to make it possible for Associations to adopt a European legal standard that would allow Associations to hold an official status as European association. This legal standard wouldn�t necessarily replace national laws for registration of associations, but could work as an optional possibility for Associations wishing to be considered as European. Such a statute would promote the role of civil society in European politics, would respect the right to create associations at all levels and would remove the administrative constraints that some European associations are facing today.
The campaign for a statute for European Associations was launched in November last year with a written declaration for MEPs. So far almost 90 MEPs have signed the declaration. The declaration has to be signed by a majority of the Members of the European Parliament, only then can it formally be forwarded to the European Commission.
The Alliance and ALDA encourage individuals and Associations to contact their MEPs and ask them to sign the written declaration. ALDA will also work with the Alliance to ask MEPs to sign the declaration during the European Parliament session in Strasbourg from January 17-20. The time limit for securing enough signatures is 17 February 2011.
For more information and the written declaration in various languages please visit:
www.europeanstatuteswrittendeclaration.eu
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION TO GIVE NEW LIFE TO TOWN TWINNING On 13th January, CITIES project final conference took place in Dordrecht (NL). Workshops and exchange of experiences at the International Conference on Town-twinning Initiatives
Town twinning as a way to enhance local tolerance and mutual understanding, to help and facilitate integration, to multiply relations: these are some of the focus points emerged from the Conference held in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, on 13th January. Coming to its conclusion, CITIES project revealed a valuable and effective means to develop citizens’ participation at a local level.
The event – organized by ALDA, together with the Municipality of Dordrecht, the Netherlands, and its partner BMC – was the final conference of CITIES (Creativity and Innovation in Town-twinning Initiatives in Europe and South-eastern Europe), a EU-funded project, led by ALDA, aimed at revitalizing and creating town-twinning relationships through innovative methods in Europe.
“Dordrecht has always been an international city. This very townhall was built in the 14th century as a trading place to attract textile merchants from Antwerp. No wonder twinning started in a very early phase – declared A.A.M. Brok, Mayor of Dordrecht upon his welcome speech –. The first official Dordrecht twinning with Hastings in England started in the seventies of the last century, more recent are the twinnings in Africa with Bamenda in Cameroon and with Dordrecht in South-Africa and latest are our contacts with Varna in Bulgaria to have a connection with the new European countries. Dordrecht thinks that twinning adds important aspects to its society, because twinning for us is not just helping other cities but especially learn from our twinning partners as well. And that exchanging best practices of excellent ideas will prove to be inspirational and fruitful – the Mayor of Dordrecht concluded –. You know what we say: Twinning is Winning.”
To the Conference took part approx. 45 foreign representatives part originating, inter alia, from Albania, Lithuania, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Further participation consisted of representatives of Dutch municipalities, the foundations town twinning and the COS Zuid Holland (Centre for International cooperation).
“ Twinning between cities and towns across Europe has existed successfully for a good many years – stated in his opening speech Mr Per Vinther, ALDA President – but lately a certain “twinning fatigue” has set in. The more traditional culture and sport elements of a partner relationship between cities seem to have lost their attraction and the injection of new life – and purpose – into Town Twinning is clearly needed. Joined by a number of dedicated partners the Association of Local Democracy Agencies has taken up this challenge within the EU Programme “Europe for Citizens” with the objective of identifying new ways and skills of co-operation between partner cities which bring together all players in the community: local authorities, business and civil society.
ALDA has been working in the Balkans for more than ten years in a bottom-up approach to encourage local authorities and civil society organisations to co-operate about improving living conditions in their community, involving also transfer of know-how and best practices from international partners in what could be called multilateral twinning. Based on this experience – pointed out Mr Per Vinther – ALDA plays a relevant role in promoting city-to-city co-operation drawing on its members and partners in the rest of Europe. Town Twinning is but one component of the effort to bring EU populations closer together and embrace the objective and values of a united Europe so the inclusion of cities and national associations of local authorities from South East Europe in the CITIES project has been an important element for ALDA.
Dissemination of the ideas and suggestions which have been tabled during various conferences in the partner countries and in the concluding international conference in Dordrecht – declared ALDA President – should encourage other cities across Europe to engage in Town Twinning as a means to share experience and learn from each other, to bring the countries of South East Europe closer to the EU and to promote active citizenship in general.”
The project was based on a partnership of six associations of municipalities in Albania, Slovakia, Macedonia, two in Bulgaria and Lithuania. During the year it lasted, the partners organized national workshops aiming to identify innovative tools for town-twinning and the variety of fields in which such a relationship can develop. This final conference taking place in Dordrecht has gathered twinning experiences from Dutch municipalities and best practices from all over Europe from the partner countries and ALDA.
Six workshops were held in smaller groups allowing concrete discussions and encounter of many municipality representatives, in order to conclude on new cooperation projects, that could lead to future town-twinning agreements. The International Twinning Conference for Innovation provided information on international cooperation at local level today, and showed the possibilities that the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme of the European Union offers.
The Cities project has been implemented by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) in cooperation with the Association of Municipalities from Albania, the Regional Association of Municipalities “Central Stara Planina” and the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities from Bulgaria, the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, ECOVAST –National section for Republic of Macedonia, the International Co-operation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, and the Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia. The project was launched on 1st February 2010 and will finish on 31st January 2011.
Town twinning as a way to enhance local tolerance and mutual understanding, to help and facilitate integration, to multiply relations: these are some of the focus points emerged from the Conference held in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, on 13th January. Coming to its conclusion, CITIES project revealed a valuable and effective means to develop citizens’ participation at a local level.
The event – organized by ALDA, together with the Municipality of Dordrecht, the Netherlands, and its partner BMC – was the final conference of CITIES (Creativity and Innovation in Town-twinning Initiatives in Europe and South-eastern Europe), a EU-funded project, led by ALDA, aimed at revitalizing and creating town-twinning relationships through innovative methods in Europe.
“Dordrecht has always been an international city. This very townhall was built in the 14th century as a trading place to attract textile merchants from Antwerp. No wonder twinning started in a very early phase – declared A.A.M. Brok, Mayor of Dordrecht upon his welcome speech –. The first official Dordrecht twinning with Hastings in England started in the seventies of the last century, more recent are the twinnings in Africa with Bamenda in Cameroon and with Dordrecht in South-Africa and latest are our contacts with Varna in Bulgaria to have a connection with the new European countries. Dordrecht thinks that twinning adds important aspects to its society, because twinning for us is not just helping other cities but especially learn from our twinning partners as well. And that exchanging best practices of excellent ideas will prove to be inspirational and fruitful – the Mayor of Dordrecht concluded –. You know what we say: Twinning is Winning.”
To the Conference took part approx. 45 foreign representatives part originating, inter alia, from Albania, Lithuania, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Further participation consisted of representatives of Dutch municipalities, the foundations town twinning and the COS Zuid Holland (Centre for International cooperation).
“ Twinning between cities and towns across Europe has existed successfully for a good many years – stated in his opening speech Mr Per Vinther, ALDA President – but lately a certain “twinning fatigue” has set in. The more traditional culture and sport elements of a partner relationship between cities seem to have lost their attraction and the injection of new life – and purpose – into Town Twinning is clearly needed. Joined by a number of dedicated partners the Association of Local Democracy Agencies has taken up this challenge within the EU Programme “Europe for Citizens” with the objective of identifying new ways and skills of co-operation between partner cities which bring together all players in the community: local authorities, business and civil society.
ALDA has been working in the Balkans for more than ten years in a bottom-up approach to encourage local authorities and civil society organisations to co-operate about improving living conditions in their community, involving also transfer of know-how and best practices from international partners in what could be called multilateral twinning. Based on this experience – pointed out Mr Per Vinther – ALDA plays a relevant role in promoting city-to-city co-operation drawing on its members and partners in the rest of Europe. Town Twinning is but one component of the effort to bring EU populations closer together and embrace the objective and values of a united Europe so the inclusion of cities and national associations of local authorities from South East Europe in the CITIES project has been an important element for ALDA.
Dissemination of the ideas and suggestions which have been tabled during various conferences in the partner countries and in the concluding international conference in Dordrecht – declared ALDA President – should encourage other cities across Europe to engage in Town Twinning as a means to share experience and learn from each other, to bring the countries of South East Europe closer to the EU and to promote active citizenship in general.”
The project was based on a partnership of six associations of municipalities in Albania, Slovakia, Macedonia, two in Bulgaria and Lithuania. During the year it lasted, the partners organized national workshops aiming to identify innovative tools for town-twinning and the variety of fields in which such a relationship can develop. This final conference taking place in Dordrecht has gathered twinning experiences from Dutch municipalities and best practices from all over Europe from the partner countries and ALDA.
Six workshops were held in smaller groups allowing concrete discussions and encounter of many municipality representatives, in order to conclude on new cooperation projects, that could lead to future town-twinning agreements. The International Twinning Conference for Innovation provided information on international cooperation at local level today, and showed the possibilities that the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme of the European Union offers.
The Cities project has been implemented by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) in cooperation with the Association of Municipalities from Albania, the Regional Association of Municipalities “Central Stara Planina” and the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities from Bulgaria, the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, ECOVAST –National section for Republic of Macedonia, the International Co-operation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, and the Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia. The project was launched on 1st February 2010 and will finish on 31st January 2011.
CITIES Final Conference
CITIES Final Conference, at the Dordrecht City Hall, on 13th of January 2011.
"VOLUNTEER! MAKE A DIFFERENCE": EUROPEAN COMMISSION LAUNCHES THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING 2011
“Volunteer! Make a difference”: European Commission launched at the end of last December the European Year of Volunteering 2011.
To highlight volunteers’ work, encourage others to join in and address the challenges they face, the 2011 European Year of Volunteering has four main objectives: lowering obstacles to volunteering in the EU; empowering volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering; rewarding and recognise volunteering activities; raising awareness of the value and importance of volunteering.
To meet these goals the Commission is working closely with the “Alliance” of volunteering organisations, the European Parliament, the Member States, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Council of Europe and the United Nations Volunteers.
ALDA is member of the Alliance EYV2011 and will participate to the hundreds of activities and projects that will be promoted.
ALDA is also active in SVE the European Voluntary Service, and promoted a pilot project, in the framework of the MoDE Project (Innovative Action, Europe for Citizens), involving senior volunteer. ALDA works on volunteering with the particular perspective of the “participation”.
“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever,” Kofi Annan said. It is in this spirit that 100 million Europeans dedicate their time and expertise to help those in need and give back to their communities.
“I want to pay tribute to the millions of Europeans who take the time to make our world a better place,” said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. “Deep within all of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need. Volunteering strengthens our core European values: solidarity and social cohesion. As we launch the European Year of Volunteering, I want to rally support for people who make a difference. Now is the time for us to share and to give something back, for us to focus on helping the helpers!”
A Eurobarometer study in May 2010 revealed that 3 out of 10 Europeans claim to be active in a voluntary capacity. There are many different definitions and traditions concerning volunteering. A common thread throughout these activities is that wherever people come together to help each other and support those in need, both society as a whole and the individual volunteers benefit. Through volunteering, people gain knowledge, exercise skills and extend their social networks, which can often lead to new or better employment opportunities, as well as personal and social development.
The Commission helps young people participate in volunteering activities. Through the European Voluntary Service, thousands of adolescents and young adults travel outside their home countries to teach, promote cultural awareness and develop important life skills.
During the European Year of Volunteering �the Commission will encourage the exchange of good practices between Member States’ authorities and volunteering organisations. The focus will be on training volunteers, accreditation and quality assurance, and efficient and effective match-making between potential volunteers and volunteering opportunities. The Commission will encourage new Europe-wide networking initiatives to encourage cross-border exchanges and synergies among volunteer organisations and other sectors, especially with businesses.
Throughout the Year of Volunteering, hundreds of activities and projects will be highlighted and promoted. At the EU level, these include:
EYV2011 Tour: Volunteers will tour EU countries over a one-year period, showcasing their work and engaging with policy makers and the public at each step of the tour.
EYV Relay: 27 “Relay” volunteer reporters will follow the work of 54 volunteering organisations and produce audio, video and written reports to be broadcast by the media. At the end of the year, the combined reports will be compiled to form a broadcast-quality documentary about the European Year and its tour.
Four thematic conferences in 2011 to highlight key issues related to volunteering: 8 January in Budapest: Recognition of Volunteering; May/June: Celebrating volunteers and their valuable contribution; October: Empowering volunteering organizations; December: Closing conference on future challenges.
More information
Official website for the European Year:
www.europa.eu/volunteering
(includes the timetable of the EYV Tour)
The Alliance’s website: www.eyv2011.eu
Homepage of Viviane Reding, Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/index_en.htm
“Volunteer! Make a difference”: European Commission launched at the end of last December the European Year of Volunteering 2011.
To highlight volunteers’ work, encourage others to join in and address the challenges they face, the 2011 European Year of Volunteering has four main objectives: lowering obstacles to volunteering in the EU; empowering volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering; rewarding and recognise volunteering activities; raising awareness of the value and importance of volunteering.
To meet these goals the Commission is working closely with the “Alliance” of volunteering organisations, the European Parliament, the Member States, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Council of Europe and the United Nations Volunteers.
ALDA is member of the Alliance EYV2011 and will participate to the hundreds of activities and projects that will be promoted.
ALDA is also active in SVE the European Voluntary Service, and promoted a pilot project, in the framework of the MoDE Project (Innovative Action, Europe for Citizens), involving senior volunteer. ALDA works on volunteering with the particular perspective of the “participation”.
“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever,” Kofi Annan said. It is in this spirit that 100 million Europeans dedicate their time and expertise to help those in need and give back to their communities.
“I want to pay tribute to the millions of Europeans who take the time to make our world a better place,” said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. “Deep within all of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need. Volunteering strengthens our core European values: solidarity and social cohesion. As we launch the European Year of Volunteering, I want to rally support for people who make a difference. Now is the time for us to share and to give something back, for us to focus on helping the helpers!”
A Eurobarometer study in May 2010 revealed that 3 out of 10 Europeans claim to be active in a voluntary capacity. There are many different definitions and traditions concerning volunteering. A common thread throughout these activities is that wherever people come together to help each other and support those in need, both society as a whole and the individual volunteers benefit. Through volunteering, people gain knowledge, exercise skills and extend their social networks, which can often lead to new or better employment opportunities, as well as personal and social development.
The Commission helps young people participate in volunteering activities. Through the European Voluntary Service, thousands of adolescents and young adults travel outside their home countries to teach, promote cultural awareness and develop important life skills.
During the European Year of Volunteering �the Commission will encourage the exchange of good practices between Member States’ authorities and volunteering organisations. The focus will be on training volunteers, accreditation and quality assurance, and efficient and effective match-making between potential volunteers and volunteering opportunities. The Commission will encourage new Europe-wide networking initiatives to encourage cross-border exchanges and synergies among volunteer organisations and other sectors, especially with businesses.
Throughout the Year of Volunteering, hundreds of activities and projects will be highlighted and promoted. At the EU level, these include:
EYV2011 Tour: Volunteers will tour EU countries over a one-year period, showcasing their work and engaging with policy makers and the public at each step of the tour.
EYV Relay: 27 “Relay” volunteer reporters will follow the work of 54 volunteering organisations and produce audio, video and written reports to be broadcast by the media. At the end of the year, the combined reports will be compiled to form a broadcast-quality documentary about the European Year and its tour.
Four thematic conferences in 2011 to highlight key issues related to volunteering: 8 January in Budapest: Recognition of Volunteering; May/June: Celebrating volunteers and their valuable contribution; October: Empowering volunteering organizations; December: Closing conference on future challenges.
More information
Official website for the European Year:
www.europa.eu/volunteering
(includes the timetable of the EYV Tour)
The Alliance’s website: www.eyv2011.eu
Homepage of Viviane Reding, Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/index_en.htm
HERMANVILLE-SUR-MER (FR) AND VEVCANI (MK) WILL SIGN THE CONVENTIONS FOR COOPERATION
As a result of the cooperation between cities of Lower-Normandy and Macedonia, a delegation from the city of Hermanville-sur-Mer (FR) will visit Vevcani (MK) this week (January 13 – 18), in order to formalize their mutual interests and sign the conventions for cooperation.
The cities have already discussed their partnership and benefits during their previous visits. This time, they will focus on the strengthening of their institutional partnership, and discuss the future of their cooperation.
Direct cooperation between municipalities from Lower Normandy and Macedonia is one of the objectives in the Programme for decentralized cooperation between these two territories. This programme is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For any further information about the project please consult:
http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/francais
or contact Ivana Dimitrovska: Ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintrenet.org
As a result of the cooperation between cities of Lower-Normandy and Macedonia, a delegation from the city of Hermanville-sur-Mer (FR) will visit Vevcani (MK) this week (January 13 – 18), in order to formalize their mutual interests and sign the conventions for cooperation.
The cities have already discussed their partnership and benefits during their previous visits. This time, they will focus on the strengthening of their institutional partnership, and discuss the future of their cooperation.
Direct cooperation between municipalities from Lower Normandy and Macedonia is one of the objectives in the Programme for decentralized cooperation between these two territories. This programme is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For any further information about the project please consult:
http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/francais
or contact Ivana Dimitrovska: Ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintrenet.org