Congress 41st session: ALDA in harmony with the agenda and mission

The 41st session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities took place in Strasbourg from 26 to 28 October 2021. Two days of intense and fruitful dialogue on several key topics, very close to ALDA’s commitment and mission. Thus, having the Congress among the statutory members of ALDA Governing Board, it comes with itself that the relation between the Association and the Institution is simply part of the essence of ALDA itself.

The agenda of this year’s session was rich in terms of content and speakers. Debates focused, among others, on: 

• Post-COVID Recovery;
• Migration;
• Hate speech and fake news;
• Cross-border cooperation for better integration and
• Education and young generation

Furthermore, particularly relevant and in line with the recents ALDA’s mission, the debate on the decentralisation process in North Macedonia. Mr. Zoran Dimitrovski, Deputy Minister for Local Self Government, also met by ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida in early October, intervened during the “Monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-government: North Macedonia” session, taking place on Wednesday 27th.

 Being able to join the Congress 41st session in presence, gave this event the feeling of “nearness and human bond” 

After two years of intense work, yet from remote due to the health crisis, being able to join the Congress 41st session in presence, gave this event the feeling of “nearness and human bond” which were quite missed. Meeting representatives from other countries, organisations and institutions definitely further stimulated ALDA in keeping its commitment and hard work in being a key stakeholder in developing democracy and good-governance in Europe and beyond.

More on an internal note, this occasion also gave the possibility to ALDA’s staff from Vicenza to meet colleagues from the Strasbourg office. Thus, the “Staff Meeting” served as a great moment of sharing, dialoguing and getting to know each other better. Last but not least, after the 41st session of the Congress, the staff also had the opportunity to walk around the city, having a lovely dinner!  

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More information:

• General Agenda and news on the 41st Congress session
• Debate on North Macedonia at the 41st Congress session
• Watch Mr. Zoran Dimitrovski, Deputy Minister for Local Self Government of North Macedonia at the Congress