Mois : octobre2011

ALDA is having a central role in the promotion of the ELDW , the European local democracy week, among its members and its partners, as main partner of the Congress of the Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the body which promotes the initiative.
ALDA, together with the LDAs, is organizing several initiatives in the framework of the ELDW all over Europe. Moreover, ALDA is partner in many other initiatives within the Week organized by its members and partners.

The European Local Democracy Week is an annual European event where local authorities from all the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, as well as their national associations, organise public events to meet and engage with their citizens on issues of current interest. The main aim is to promote and foster democratic participation at a local level. The week around 15 October has been chosen for holding this event as a tribute to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, opened for signature on that date in 1985.
ELDW purpose is to raise European citizens’ awareness of how local authorities operate, and inform them of the opportunities available for taking part in the decision-making process at the local level.
The leading theme of the Week 2011 will be ‘Human Rights at local level’ and the Congress recommends that at least one of the activities should focus on it, allowing however the participants to organise events on issues of particular interest to them.
To give a more concrete overview of the role of ALDA in the promotion of the ELDW, we publish a list of events ALDA is directly organizing, also through its LDAs, or in which it will be partner:

– Opening of the Local Democracy Agency in Armenia.
On October 28, as the official day for the opening ceremony of LDA Armenia in Gyumri, an awareness-raising conference will be organized to gather citizens, NGOs and other groups actively involved in local governance issues to discuss and learn about the best practices of involving citizens in public life. The conference will give the participants a chance to better understand the bottom-up methodology for the development of local self-government and increasing citizen participation. The opening event in October will mark the link between the LDA in Armenia and its work in support of Local Democracy and Human Rights in the Country as part of the ELDW and as a medium-long term project.

– Celebration of the 15° Anniversary LDA Sisak
The International Conference “The Road of Croatia towards the EU: the role of Croatian Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs)” will be organized on the 4th November 2011 in Sisak, Croatia. The Conference is organized in the framework of the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Local Democracy Agencies Sisak and as a part of the ELDW. In this regards the Municipality of Sisak obtained the 12 Stars Label from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, a prestigious label awarded to Municipalities and local communities particularly active in the promotion of ELDW.
ALDA will take the opportunity of the Conference to reflect and to open the discussion with participants on the future of the Croatian LDAs in prevision of Croatia entering the EU in July 2013. Other activities will be organized by LDA Sisak to promote human rights among youth.

– ALDA organizing two major events in Venice from the 15 to the 17 November.
ALDA will organize in Venice a conference whose overall topic will be Mobility and Volunteering in Town Twinning and International Seminar on twinning relations. The events will unite around 180 participants from 10 different European countries involving representatives of Local Authorities and their associations, NGOs, civil servants and citizens’ groups who will develop a dynamic evaluation of how mobility and volunteering can strongly support the building of a developed Europe. The overall goal of those activities, both organized within the Europe for Citizens programme and in the framework of the ELDW, is strengthening CSO’s involvement in the overall framework of EU twinning in order to create a better organized cooperation system between LAs e CSOs and a more present Public-Private Partnership in the fight against economic and social crisis, in the promotion of mobility for democracy and the ownership of European identity.

– LDA Kosovo organizing its first activity in the framework of the ELDW
On the 21-22 November LDA Kosovo, in cooperation with ALDA and all its partners will organize its first official activity in Peja/Pec (Kosovo) on the occasion of the Celebration of the International Child’s Rights Day. An international conference will be organized to foster the discussion on the topic among the main international and local stakeholders (UNICEF, CoE, UNDP, EC, Ministry of Local Authorities, local and international CSOs working of the topic), the conference will be followed by a plain “air afternoon” which will be attended by families and citizens from all the region of Peja/Pec.

– ELDW in Georgia. Art and Nature in Kutaisi for Human Rights
In Kutaisi, LDA Georgia (celebrating its 5th anniversary) and the Association of Local Authorities of Georgia, will organize in cooperation with the Municipality a photo exhibition on human rights in the country and a competition and award called “The greenest Neighborhood in Kutaisi” that will see the involvement of a high number of citizens and representatives of LAa and CSOs.

– 10 years of LDA CSS keeping working on the promotion of Human Rights
On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary LDA CSS, City of Nis – Office of the Mayor, NGO Youth Education Center, Media Center Nis and LDA are organizing European Local Democracy Week  from October 10 till October 16. Numerous workshops, discussion groups, entertainment events, exhibitions and other activities will be organised during this week. Nis University Faculty of Economics, Metropolitan University Education Center and Nis City Children’s Center will take active part in the activities during this week.

– CRCD Promoting Rights of Children in Albania
The Center for Research Cooperation and Development – CRCD, ALDA’s member, in cooperation with European Information Center in Vlora (Albania) will initiate the promotion of the ELDW in Vlora by organizing one seminar at EU info as well an open public presentation to one of the school related “EU Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child”.

– Strategies to promote Human Rights at the local level in Italy
The Municipality of Vibonati, Morigerati and Casaletto Spartano in Italy, new members of ALDA, will organize in mid-November a Conference on the means Municipalities have to promote human rights at local level and an interactive activity in the high school of Sapri (Italy) targeting youth promoting human rights. ALDA will participate with one representative at both the events.

For more information about each event please contact Mr. Alfonso Aliberti, Project Manager of ALDA, at alfonso.aliberti@aldaintranet.org.

The new Local Democracy Agency Armenia will open on 28th of October in Gyumri. It is the second LDA in the South Caucasus area and the thirteenth LDA opened by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) with the support of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
“Decentralisation of power and the development of administrative capacities at the local level, together with a capable and vivid civil society, represent a fundamental step in the process of democratisation, stability and development of Armenia”, says ALDA President, Per Vinther.
On occasion of the official opening ceremony, ALDA organises a conférence to gather Local Authorities, NGOs, citizens, and international representatives that are actively involved in local governance issues to discuss and learn about best practices of involving citizens in public life. The opening conference will take place in the City Hall of Gyumri and will be also be part of the European Week of Local Democracy.

In an effort to support the process of democratisation, stability and development of Armenia ALDA and the Congress decided to establish the Local Democracy Agency in the country. The opening plan has been developing since 2008.
It is a long term project and it will utilize the expertise of ALDA and the other LDAs and the network, which gather about 160 members, including Local Authorities, Associations of Local Authorities and non-governmental organisations, coming from more than 30 countries.
Partners of LDA Armenia will come from three countries: the Rhône-Alpes Region (France), the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy), the International Committee For The Development of Peoples CISP (Italy), the Union of Communities of Armenia, the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development (Armenia), the Journalists’ Club Asparez (Armenia), and the Armenian Municipalities of Gyumri, the host city, and Ijevan. The role of the international partners will be to provide core financial support, participate in activities where they have the skills and capacities, to encourage their own partners to participate in the work of the LDA and to promote the work of the LDA in their own community and encourage wider participation.
Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia, situated in the North of the country and has been selected as host since it will provide a good basis to allow the LDA to work on a national level.
The Municipality of Gyumri provides an office and rooms for the LDA in a building which already hosts other public associations and NGOs in Gyumri. “Furthermore the vibrant civil society in Gyumri and the possibilities to improve the situation for cooperation between civil society and local authorities are also very important factors”, stresses President Per Vinther. “In addition”, says Mr Vinther, “Gyumri is also twinned with the Georgian city Kutaisi which provides a strong basis for developing the cooperation between both cities”.
The first LDA in the Caucasus is based in Kutaisi, Georgia since the year 2006.

The LDA will facilitate the participation of civil society in the decision-making process at the local level, increase the interest, awareness and capacities of citizens to take part in the decision-making process at the local level and increase the awareness and skills of the local communities and local authorities to address the needs of their citizens. So a practical exercise of policy sharing between citizens and local authorities should also be facilitated. The LDA will support capacity building of civil society and local authorities and it will implement its activities at the local level with trainings, study visits and other participative methods.
Acting as a promoter of democracy and local self-government, the Local Democracy Agency will also promote human rights and sustainable development. The realisation of all objectives will be reached by implementing projects with local authorities and NGOs using the international partners support. The LDA will aim to serve as a bridge between Europe and Armenia and will bring Armenian practice to Europe and European experience to Armenia.
Finally the LDA will also work to ensure cross border cooperation in South Caucasus and will work to promote peace and understanding in the South Caucasus region. “There are plans to set up an LDA in Azerbaijan in the near future as well. So the LDA in Armenia will also become part of a network of LDAs in South Caucasus that can promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the countries in South Caucasus” announces Per Vinther.

UNO STRUMENTO PER LA DEMOCRAZIA LOCALE E LA PARTECIPAZIONE DEI CITTADINI: L’AGENZIA DELLA DEMOCRAZIA LOCALE ARMENA APRIRA’ A GYUMRI, 28 OTTOBRE 2011

La nuova Agenzia della democrazia locale Armenia aprirà a Gyumri il 28 ottobre prossimo.
E’ la seconda LDA nel Caucaso del Sud e la tredicesima aperta da ALDA, l’Associazione delle Agenzie della democrazia locale, col sostegno del Congresso dei poteri locali e regionali del Consiglio d’Europa.
“Decentralizzazione dei poteri e sviluppo delle capacità amministrative al livello locale assieme ad una capace e vitale società civile sono i fattori che rappresentano una tappa fondamentale nel processo di democratizzazione, stabilità e sviluppo dell’Armenia” afferma il Presidente di ALDA, Per Vinther.
Nell’occasione della cerimonia ufficiale di aperture, ALDA organizza una Conferenza per riunire Autorità locali, ONG, cittadini e rappresentanti internazionali che sono attivamente coinvolti nei temi del governo locale, per discutere ed imparare dalle buone pratiche di coinvolgimento dei cittadini nella vita civile. La Conferenza di apertura avrà luogo presso il Municipio di Gyumri (28 ottobre) e sarà anche un evento della Settimana Europea della Democrazia Locale, manifestazione promossa dal Consiglio d’Europa.

UN OUTIL POUR LA DEMOCRATIE LOCALE ET LA PARTICIPATION CITOYENNE : L’AGENCE DE LA DEMOCRATIE LOCALE EN ARMENIE OUVRIRA SES PORTES A GYUMRI, LE 28 OCTOBRE

La nouvelle Agence de la démocratie locale (ADL) ouvre ses portes le 28 octobre, à Gyumri, en Arménie. Elle sera la deuxième ADL dans le Caucase du Sud et la treizième ADL créée par l’Association des agences de la démocratie locale (AADL) avec le soutien du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux du Conseil de l’Europe. Le Président de l’AADL, M. Per VINTHER, affirme que « La décentralisation du pouvoir et le développement des capacités administratives au niveau local, à côté d’une société civile capable et active, représentent une étape fondamentale au sein du processus de démocratisation, de stabilisation et de développement de l’Arménie ». A l’occasion de la cérémonie d’ouverture, l’AADL organise une conférence, sur la coopération entre les pouvoirs locaux et la société civile, ouverte à la participation des autorités locales, des ONG, des citoyens et des représentants internationaux intéressés par la gouvernance locale, par le débat constructif et par les bonnes pratiques de participation citoyenne à la vie publique. La conférence d’ouverture aura lieu à l’Hôtel de Ville de Gyumri et sera partie intégrante de la « Semaine européenne de la

L’AADL et le Congrès ont pris la décision de créer une Agence de la démocratie locale en Arménie pour soutenir le processus de décentralisation, de stabilisation et de développement du pays. Les deux structures planifient l’ouverture de l’ADL depuis 2008. C’est un projet à longue terme qui va s’inspirer de l’expertise de l’AADL, des autres ADL et du réseau qui recueille 160 membres, y compris des autorités locales, des associations d’autorités locales et des organisations non-gouvernementales, dans plus de 30 pays.
Les partenaires de l’ADL en Arménie viennent de trois pays : de la France (la région Rhône-Alpes), de l’Italie (le Frioul-Vénétie julienne et le CISP ou International Committee For The Development of Peoples) et de l’Arménie (l’Union des communautés arméniennes, l’Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development, le Club des journalistes Asparez, la Ville de Ijevan et la Ville de Gyumri, hôte de l’ADL). Le rôle des partenaires internationaux sera d’assurer un soutien financier de base, de participer aux activités compatibles avec leurs compétences et capacités, d’encourager leurs collaborateurs à participer au travail de l’ADL, de promouvoir l’agenda de l’ADL au sein de leurs communautés et d’encourager une plus large adhésion.
La Ville de Gyumri, située au Nord du pays, est la seconde ville de l’Arménie. Elle a été sélectionnée comme « ville hôte » puisqu’elle va assurer à l’ADL les éléments nécessaires pour poursuivre une activité au niveau national. L’Hôtel de Ville de Gyumri met à disposition de l’ADL un bureau et des chambres dans un immeuble qui déjà accueillit des associations publiques et des ONG à Gyumri. M. le Président, Per VINTHER, mentionne que « la société civile très vivace de Gyumri et la possibilité de pouvoir améliorer l’état de la coopération entre la société civile et les autorités locales sont deux facteurs importants pour le choix [de la ville de Gyumri] ». Il ajoute que « la ville de Gyumri est jumelée avec la ville géorgienne de Koutaïssi, fait qui assure une base puissante sur laquelle développer la coopération entre les deux villes ». Depuis 2006, une première Agence caucasienne existe à Koutaïssi, en Géorgie.
Au niveau local, la future ADL va encourager la participation de la société civile au processus décisionnel, va accroitre le niveau d’intérêt, de sensibilité et les capacités des citoyens de participer à la prise de décision et va augmenter, parmi les communautés et les autorités locales, les compétences et le savoir des besoins des citoyens. L’ADL souhaite aussi encourager les citoyens et les autorités locales à participer à un exercice pratique de prise de décision. Elle va soutenir le renforcement des capacités de la société civile et des autorités locales. Les formations, les visites d’étude et d’autres méthodes participatives seront les principaux moyens méthodologiques qu’elle va utiliser pour la mise en œuvre de ses activités. Puisque l’Agence de la démocratie locale va se présenter comme un promoteur de la démocratie et de la gouvernance territoriale, elle va aussi promouvoir les droits de l’homme et les principes du développement durable. L’actualisation de tous ses objectifs sera possible grâce à la collaboration avec des pouvoirs locaux et des ONG, pour la mise en œuvre des projets soutenus par les partenaires internationaux de l’ADL. L’ADL souhaite se présenter comme un « pont » entre l’Europe et l’Arménie pour apporter la pratique arménienne en Europe et l’expérience européenne en Arménie. Dernièrement, l’ADL va travailler pour assurer la coopération transfrontalière dans le Caucase du Sud et pour promouvoir la paix et l’entendement dans la région. Par la suite, M. Per VINTHER nous annonce « des plans pour la création d’une ADL en Azerbaïdjan dans le futur. Donc, l’ADL en Arménie deviendra, avec le temps, une partie du réseau des ADL dans le Caucase du Sud, qui promouvra la coopération et la compréhension mutuelle dans la région ».

ИНСТРУМЕНТ ДЛЯ МЕСТНОЙ ДЕМОКРАТИИ И ГРАЖДАНСКОГО УЧАСТИЯ: АГЕНТСТВО МЕСТНОЙ ДЕМОКРАТИИ ОТКРОЕТСЯ 28 ОКТЯБРЯ В ГЮМРИ, АРМЕНИЯ

Новое агентство местной демократии откроется 28 октября в Гюмри, Армения. Это второе агентство на Южном Кавказе и тринадцатое агентство, основанное Ассоциацией агентств местной демократии (ALDA) при поддержке Конгресса местных и региональных властей Совета Европы.
«Децентрализация власти и развитие административных функций на местном уровне вместе с дееспособным и живым гражданским обществом представляют собой существенный шаг вперед по пути демократизации, стабильности и развития Армении», – говорит Пер Винтер (Per Vinther), Президент ALDA.
По случаю официальной церемонии открытия Ассоциация ALDA организовывает конференцию: проект повестки дня по случаю открытия агентства местной демократии в Армении 141011) собрать местные органы власти, неправительственные организации, граждан и международных представителей, активно участвующих в решении проблем местного управления, для обсуждения и изучения передового опыта по вовлечению граждан в общественную жизнь. Открытие конференции пройдет в здании городского совета в Гюмри, конференция также будет частью Европейской недели местной демократии.

Стремясь поддержать процесс демократизации,  стабильности и развития Армении Ассоциация ALDA и Конгресс решили учредить в стране агентство местной демократии. План по открытию разрабатывался с 2008 года.
Это долгосрочный проект, который будет использовать знания и опыт Ассоциации ALDA и других  агентств местной демократии, а также сети, объединяющей около 160 членов, включая местные органы власти, Ассоциации местных органов власти и неправительственные организации из более чем 30 стран.
Партнеры агентства местной демократии в Армении приедут из трех стран: региона Рона-Альпы (Франция), области Фриули-Венеция-Джулия (Италия), Международного комитета развития народов (CISP) (Италия), Союза общин Армении, Городского фонда устойчивого развития (Армения), Журналистского клуба «Аспарез» (Армения) и армянских  муниципалитетов из Гюмри, принимающего города, и Ижевана. Роль международных партнеров будет заключаться в обеспечении основной финансовой поддержки, участии в мероприятиях, где нужен их опыт и возможности, поощрении их собственных партнеров принять участие в работе агентств местной демократии в их регионе и содействии широкому участию.
Гюмри – это второй по величине город в Армении, расположенный на севере страны, он был выбран принимающим городом, поскольку он даст возможность агентству местной демократии работать на национальном уровне. Муниципалитет г. Гюмри предоставит агентству местной демократии офис и комнаты в здании, где уже находятся другие общественные ассоциации и неправительственные организации. «Кроме того, живое гражданское общество Гюмри и возможности улучшить положение в отношении сотрудничества гражданского общества и местных органов власти  также являются очень важными факторами», – подчеркивает Пер Винтер, Президент Ассоциации ALDA. «Более того, – говорит г-н Винтер, – Гюмри также является городом-побратимом грузинского города Кутаиси, что обеспечивает прочную основу для развития сотрудничества между двумя городами».
Первое агентство местной демократии на Кавказе основано в Кутаиси, Грузия, в 2006 году.
Агентство местной демократии обеспечит участие гражданского общества в процессе принятия решений на местном уровне, усилит интерес, информированность и  возможности граждан по участию в процессе принятия решений на местном уровне и повысит осведомленность и компетенцию местной общественности и местных властей по решению вопроса о потребностях граждан. Следовательно, следует также содействовать практическому осуществлению стратегии, разделяемой гражданами и местными органами власти. Агентство местной демократии будет поддерживать мобилизацию сил гражданского общества и местных органов власти, оно будет осуществлять свою деятельность на местном уровне посредством тренингов, ознакомительных поездок и других сопутствующих методов.
Выступая в качестве пропагандиста демократии и местного самоуправления, агентство местной демократии также содействует продвижению прав человека и устойчивому развитию. Реализация всех целей будет достигнута путем выполнения проектов с местными властями и неправительственными организациями, используя поддержку международных партнеров. Задача агентства местной демократии – быть мостом между Европой и Арменией и познакомить Европу с традициями Армении, а Армению – с европейским опытом.
И, наконец, агентство местной демократии будет также работать во имя обеспечения сотрудничества в приграничных областях на Южном Кавказе и во имя содействия миру и пониманию в Южно-Кавказском регионе. «Есть также планы учредить в ближайшем будущем агентство местной демократии в Азербайджане. Поэтому агентство местной демократии в Армении станет частью сети агентств местной демократии на Южном Кавказе, которое может способствовать кооперации и взаимному пониманию стран Южного Кавказа», – заявляет Пер Винтер.

“Municipal co-operation agreements: challenges and perspectives of democratic
participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, will be the main focus of the
conference that will be held in Tuzla (BiH) on 7th and 8th of October 2001.
This conference is organised as the opening event to present the activities envisaged within
the two-year regional co-operation project: Civil society in action for dialogue and
partnerships (IPA 2009 Bosnia), leaded by ALDA, with the support of the Delegation of the
European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina provided within the wider Programme: Support
to issue-based NGO networks.
Lead partner of the project is ALDA, while the partners are its network members in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia – Local Democracy Agencies Mostar, Zavidovici,
Osijek, Subotica, as well as the Forum of Tuzla Citizens, Centre for Local Development
Breza, DON Prijedor and NovenadeBihac, local NGOs contributing effectively to local
democracy development and implementing municipal co-operation agreements.
The conference thematic workshops will give an insight into the present challenges of

implementing EU standards of democratic governance at local level, the role of local self-
governments in EU integration process as well as an overview of local practice in

implementing municipal co-operation agreements in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For any further information please contact:
VehidŠehić
Forum of Tuzla Citizens
Tel/Fax: +387 (0)35 258 075
E-mail: fgt-urbana@forumtz.com (mailto:fgt-urbana@forumtz.com)
DženanaDelić
LDA Mostar
Tel/Fax: +387 (0)36333 830
E-mail: ldamostar@aldaintranet.org (mailto:ldamostar@aldaintranet.org)
Download the conference agenda here (public/doc/365-
IPA_BH_CONFERENCE_TUZLA_AGENDA_26_09_2011.pdf)

The participants of the Eastern Partnership Conference, that took place in Warsaw (29
Semptember 2011) adopted a declaration (http://public/doc/368-Declaration-the-Civil
Society-Participants-EaP-ConferenceWarsaw-29-09-2011.pdf) in which they express their
continuing concern about the ongoing human rights violations and the existence of political
prisoners in some of the EaP countries.
In the document they also call for more consistency of the EU policy towards the political
developments in all countries of the Eastern Partnership.
Moreover, the participants of the Conference call for an increased assistance for the Eastern
Partnership Civil Society Forum.
The international conference entitled “The Eastern Partnership Conference: Towards a
European Community of Democracy, Prosperity and a Stronger Civil Society” took place as
an event accompanying the Eastern Partnership summit, which is one of the most important
events of the Polish presidency.
The conference was attended by a number of important guests, including: Radosław
Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland; Štefan Füle, European
Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy; Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Jerzy Buzek, President
of the European Parliament. ALDA was represented by its Director, Mrs. Antonella
Valmorbida.

ALDA will take part in the International conference for the European Year of Volunteers on
“Italy – Central and South Eastern Europe: Volunteerism and Institutions in comparison”, 7-9
October 2011 – Gorizia (I).
Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director, will take the floor (http://public/allegati/14-
Conference_on_voluteering_gorizia_09_10_2011.pdf) on the last day, after the presentation
of the results of the working groups, together with Anica Mikus Kos, Slovenska Filantropija
President, Andrea Waxenegger, University of Graz, President EUCEN (European Network of
University Centers for Long Life Learning), and Luca Jahier, the Economic and Social
Committee, President Group III.
The conference is promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and organized by the
regional CSV in collaboration with CSVnet – National Coordination Centres for Voluntary
Service; it has also received the patronage of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies,
European Commission Representation in Italy CEV – European Volunteer Centre, Brussels.
The conference will be an opportunity to continue the comparison between volunteerism and
institutions in Italy and in Central and South Eastern Europe, focusing on issues such as
diversity and social inclusion, young people and participation. The aim is to draw a roadmap
for future advocacy activities and common planning.
The event represents an important moment to engage and support existing realities of
volunteering of those countries which are not members of the European Union yet.
The conference will be attended by over 100 Italian and foreign volunteers, institutional
representatives and leaders of voluntary organizations, the Centers for Voluntary Service
and Volunteer Centers, coming both from Italy and other countries such as Albania, Austria,
Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and
Turkey.
The Conference will be opened, the first day, by a plenary session titled: “Which role for
volunteering in the Europe of the future”.
The second day will be dedicated to working groups, accompanied by the interventions of
Italian and foreign associations introduced by the relations of Joachim Ott, Acting Head of
Unit, Directorate General Communication, Unit Policy for Citizens of the European
Commission, and Martijn Pakker, Director CEV – European Centre for Volunteering.

“Municipal co-operation agreements: challenges and perspectives of democratic participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, will be the main focus of the conference that will be held in Tuzla (BiH) on 7th and 8th of October 2001.
This conference is organised as the opening event to present the activities envisaged within the two-year regional co-operation project: Civil society in action for dialogue and partnerships (IPA 2009 Bosnia), leaded by ALDA, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina provided within the wider Programme: Support to issue-based NGO networks.

Lead partner of the project is ALDA, while the partners are its network members in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia – Local Democracy Agencies Mostar, Zavidovici, Osijek, Subotica, as well as the Forum of Tuzla Citizens, Centre for Local Development Breza, DON Prijedor and NovenadeBihac, local NGOs contributing effectively to local democracy development and implementing municipal co-operation agreements.
The conference thematic workshops will give an insight into the present challenges of implementing EU standards of democratic governance at local level, the role of local self-governments in EU integration process as well as an overview of local practice in implementing municipal co-operation agreements in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For any further information please contact:
VehidŠehić
Forum of Tuzla Citizens
Tel/Fax: +387 (0)35 258 075
E-mail: fgt-urbana@forumtz.com

DženanaDelić
LDA Mostar
Tel/Fax: +387 (0)36333 830
E-mail: ldamostar@aldaintranet.org

The participants of the Eastern Partnership Conference, that took place in Warsaw (29 Semptember 2011) adopted a declaration  in which they express their continuing concern about the ongoing human rights violations and the existence of political prisoners in some of the EaP countries.
In the document they also call for more consistency of the EU policy towards the political developments in all countries of the Eastern Partnership.

Moreover, the participants of the Conference call for an increased assistance for the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
The international conference entitled “The Eastern Partnership Conference: Towards a European Community of Democracy, Prosperity and a Stronger Civil Society” took place as an event accompanying the Eastern Partnership summit, which is one of the most important events of the Polish presidency.
The conference was attended by a number of important guests, including: Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland; Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy; Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament. ALDA was represented by its Director, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida.

ALDA will take part in the International conference for the European Year of Volunteers on “Italy – Central and South Eastern Europe: Volunteerism and Institutions in comparison”, 7-9 October 2011 – Gorizia (I).
Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director, will take the floor on the last day, after the presentation of the results of the working groups, together with Anica Mikus Kos, Slovenska Filantropija President, Andrea Waxenegger, University of Graz, President EUCEN (European Network of University Centers for Long Life Learning), and Luca Jahier, the Economic and Social Committee, President Group III.

The conference is promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and organized by the regional CSV in collaboration with CSVnet – National Coordination Centres for Voluntary Service; it has also received the patronage of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, European Commission Representation in Italy CEV – European Volunteer Centre, Brussels.
The conference will be an opportunity to continue the comparison between volunteerism and institutions in Italy and in Central and South Eastern Europe, focusing on issues such as diversity and social inclusion, young people and participation. The aim is to draw a roadmap for future advocacy activities and common planning.
The event represents an important moment to engage and support existing realities of volunteering of those countries which are not members of the European Union yet.
The conference will be attended by over 100 Italian and foreign volunteers, institutional representatives and leaders of voluntary organizations, the Centers for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Centers, coming both from Italy and other countries such as Albania, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey.
The Conference will be opened, the first day, by a plenary session titled: “Which role for volunteering in the Europe of the future”.
The second day will be dedicated to working groups, accompanied by the interventions of Italian and foreign associations introduced by the relations of Joachim Ott, Acting Head of Unit, Directorate General Communication, Unit Policy for Citizens of the European Commission, and Martijn Pakker, Director CEV – European Centre for Volunteering.