LDA NIS AND SERBIAN ELECTIONS: “THE PARTIES MAKE PUBLIC THEIR PROGRAMES FOR YOUTH”

LDA Nis has joined a group of 19 NGOs from Nis and publicly addressed all political parties participating in the upcoming Serbian elections. The initiative calls upon all parties to make public their programs related to youth. Political parties were given the deadline Thursday, 3 May, to provide the requested information or to publish them on their websites.
“Young people make up a quarter of the total population of the city of Nis and represent a significant resource of its socio-economic development. We want to see what the political parties have to offer them – stated the representatives of the NGOs involved, among which Sasa Marinkov, Delegate of the LDA of Nis – and after the elections we will monitor whether they will implement what they have promised.”

LDA Nis has joined a group of 19 NGOs from Nis and publicly addressed all political parties participating in the upcoming Serbian elections. The initiative calls upon all parties to make public their programs related to youth. Political parties were given the deadline Thursday, 3 May, to provide the requested information or to publish them on their websites.
“Young people make up a quarter of the total population of the city of Nis and represent a significant resource of its socio-economic development. We want to see what the political parties have to offer them – stated the representatives of the NGOs involved, among which Sasa Marinkov, Delegate of the LDA of Nis – and after the elections we will monitor whether they will implement what they have promised.”
MR. JEAN MARIE HEYDT, PRESIDENT OF INGOs CONFERNCE OF COE, AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE LIONS CLUB OF VENICE

“Participate, doesn’t means to decide,directly, but participate offers the opportunity to inform policy makers who have been democratically elected to lead the public affairs of a State, Region or Municipality. This contribution to the public decision implies that participation has to be the most representative possible of the different point of views of citizens, effective and competent”.This is oneof the starting points of the speech of Mr.Jean Marie Heydt, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, at the International Conference held in Venice, promoted by the Lions Club Venice Host and Alda. Download here the speech.

“Participate, doesn’t means to decide,directly, but participate offers the opportunity to inform policy makers who have been democratically elected to lead the public affairs of a State, Region or Municipality. This contribution to the public decision implies that participation has to be the most representative possible of the different point of views of citizens, effective and competent”.This is oneof the starting points of the speech of Mr.Jean Marie Heydt, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, at the International Conference held in Venice, promoted by the Lions Club Venice Host and Alda. Download here the speech.
A PARK OF VENICE WILL BE ENTITLED TO ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP (28 April 2012)

The public park of Villa Groggia, in Venice, will be entitled to citizenship. The ceremony will take place Saturday, April 28, at the end of an international conference on “Governance and Active Citizenship” organized by Venezia Lions Club Host, in cooperation with ALDA.
The official ceremony will be attended by the Municipality, represented by Councillor Mrs. Tiziana Agostini, and Vice President of the Municipality, Mrs. Camilla Paolo, the Lions Club Venice Host, represented by President, Mr. Giovanni Spaliviero, and participants at the international conference.
The Conference will compare the European experiences on these issues. It is the final event of a one year process of Lions Venice Club on the topical themes of good governance and the needed active participation of citizens at the local level.
European Lions Clubs, in fact, are engaged for many years in promoting a culture of citizenship as a tool for understanding and dialogue between peoples.
In this line the Lions Club Venice Host has dedicated its annual calendar at this issue through a series of meetings which reflections and insights will be presented at the conference.
Among the speakers, in addition to Giovanni Spaliviero who will talk about participatory tools in Venezia, SINCE THE ANCIENT Serenissima Republic, are expected the past Lions Club International Director, Mr. Ermanno Bocchini, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director and Coordinator of the dissemination of the Code of Good Practice of the INGOs Conference of the Council of Europe, Mrs. Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, Ambassador, European Union representative at the Council of Europe, Mr. Jean Marie Heydt, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe.
After the illustration of the Venetian good practices on active citizenship, will close the debate Mr. Per Vinther, ALDA President, and Mrs. Adriana Cortinovis, Lions Club Multidistrict 108 Italy.

The public park of Villa Groggia, in Venice, will be entitled to citizenship. The ceremony will take place Saturday, April 28, at the end of an international conference on “Governance and Active Citizenship” organized by Venezia Lions Club Host, in cooperation with ALDA.
The official ceremony will be attended by the Municipality, represented by Councillor Mrs. Tiziana Agostini, and Vice President of the Municipality, Mrs. Camilla Paolo, the Lions Club Venice Host, represented by President, Mr. Giovanni Spaliviero, and participants at the international conference.
The Conference will compare the European experiences on these issues. It is the final event of a one year process of Lions Venice Club on the topical themes of good governance and the needed active participation of citizens at the local level.
European Lions Clubs, in fact, are engaged for many years in promoting a culture of citizenship as a tool for understanding and dialogue between peoples.
In this line the Lions Club Venice Host has dedicated its annual calendar at this issue through a series of meetings which reflections and insights will be presented at the conference.
Among the speakers, in addition to Giovanni Spaliviero who will talk about participatory tools in Venezia, SINCE THE ANCIENT Serenissima Republic, are expected the past Lions Club International Director, Mr. Ermanno Bocchini, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director and Coordinator of the dissemination of the Code of Good Practice of the INGOs Conference of the Council of Europe, Mrs. Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, Ambassador, European Union representative at the Council of Europe, Mr. Jean Marie Heydt, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe.
After the illustration of the Venetian good practices on active citizenship, will close the debate Mr. Per Vinther, ALDA President, and Mrs. Adriana Cortinovis, Lions Club Multidistrict 108 Italy.
LDA NIS BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF TWO NEW EVS PROJECTS
LDA Nis will soon begin implementation of two new European Voluntary Service projects with partner organizations from Slovenia and Italy, Youth Center BIT i Alce Nero.
As the first foreseen activity, during the month of May, Youth Center BIT will host the LDA team. This visit will be the opportunity for a more detailed joint planning of the upcoming project activities.
LDA Nis will soon begin implementation of two new European Voluntary Service projects with partner organizations from Slovenia and Italy, Youth Center BIT i Alce Nero.
As the first foreseen activity, during the month of May, Youth Center BIT will host the LDA team. This visit will be the opportunity for a more detailed joint planning of the upcoming project activities.
VOLUNTEERISM AS A FACTOR FOR SOCIAL COHESION
In the period of 25 and 26 April 2012, in Caen, the capital of the French Region Lower Normandy, the Coalition of youth organizations – SEGA and the House of Europe in Caen, will organise Study visit on the topic “Volunteerism as a factor for social cohesion”. The Macedonian delegation will be represented by one representative of youth organisation working with volunteers and one representative of Macedonian municipality.
During the visit, the Macedonian delegation will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from Lower Normandy organisations working with volunteers. Macedonian representatives will also visit governmental institutions and CSOs responsible for implementation of the programme Service Civique (Citizen Service).
This activity is part of the component: Youth, Local and European Citizenship within the Project for decentralized cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and the region of Lower Normandy – France, managed by ALDA, implemented by the Coalition of youth organizations SEGA – Macedonia and the European House of Caen – France. For more information please contact Katica Janeva katica.janeva@aldaintranet.org, or visit the u Francuskoj of the cooperation.
In the period of 25 and 26 April 2012, in Caen, the capital of the French Region Lower Normandy, the Coalition of youth organizations – SEGA and the House of Europe in Caen, will organise Study visit on the topic “Volunteerism as a factor for social cohesion”. The Macedonian delegation will be represented by one representative of youth organisation working with volunteers and one representative of Macedonian municipality.
During the visit, the Macedonian delegation will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from Lower Normandy organisations working with volunteers. Macedonian representatives will also visit governmental institutions and CSOs responsible for implementation of the programme Service Civique (Citizen Service).
This activity is part of the component: Youth, Local and European Citizenship within the Project for decentralized cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and the region of Lower Normandy – France, managed by ALDA, implemented by the Coalition of youth organizations SEGA – Macedonia and the European House of Caen – France. For more information please contact Katica Janeva katica.janeva@aldaintranet.org, or visit the u Francuskoj of the cooperation.
THIRD CONGRESS OF THE SOUTH NORTH MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE FOR A SHARED VISION OF THE FUTURE
Six years after the Algiers Congress (February 2006) and three years after the Congress of Alicante (November 2009), the European Movement International (EMI) is organising the third Congress of the South-North Mediterranean Dialogue for a Shared Vision of the Future.
The event, which title is “Civil Society and Public Authorities: Which partnership?”, will take place in Tunis on 07-09 June 2012.
The Algiers Declaration already asserted the need “to promote the active participation of Civil Society in the Political and Decision-Making Processes […] to create a Euro-Mediterranean entity founded on universal values which are the basis for promoting political reform and common action plans”.
EMI declares that “At this moment in history marked by the “Arab Spring”, where the evolution of Mediterranean societies is very important for Arab States, for Europe and for their relations over the Mediterranean, it is essential to deliberate and think together to structure the future”.
Registration is free but mandatory. Participation costs for the 2-day Congress will be borne by the participant, his/her association or institution and amounts to 200 Euros.
For any further information: http://www.europeanmovement.eu/
Six years after the Algiers Congress (February 2006) and three years after the Congress of Alicante (November 2009), the European Movement International (EMI) is organising the third Congress of the South-North Mediterranean Dialogue for a Shared Vision of the Future.
The event, which title is “Civil Society and Public Authorities: Which partnership?”, will take place in Tunis on 07-09 June 2012.
The Algiers Declaration already asserted the need “to promote the active participation of Civil Society in the Political and Decision-Making Processes […] to create a Euro-Mediterranean entity founded on universal values which are the basis for promoting political reform and common action plans”.
EMI declares that “At this moment in history marked by the “Arab Spring”, where the evolution of Mediterranean societies is very important for Arab States, for Europe and for their relations over the Mediterranean, it is essential to deliberate and think together to structure the future”.
Registration is free but mandatory. Participation costs for the 2-day Congress will be borne by the participant, his/her association or institution and amounts to 200 Euros.
For any further information: http://www.europeanmovement.eu/
LDA NIKSIC: THE SECOND MODULE OF PEFC TRAINING IN FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA (24-28 April 2012)
From 24 to 28 April, the second module of PEFC training will be organized in Friuli Venezia Giulia – Italy. In the form of study visit to companies and forest sites, the group of Montenegrin forest experts and institutions representatives, Ministry of agriculture and rural development, Municipality of Rozaje, Forestry Institute and Forest Management Body, will have the opportunity to see how the forests certification system works.
The goal of this study visit is to give to Montenegrin experts the necessary information on the certification and its implementation.
In order to be able to exports wood and forest products to EU countries, every company will have to provide proof of origin for their poducts, because from 2013 the “Due diligence” system (the procedure for exclusion of products with controverse origin) will be introduced.
The first training on PEFC international forest certification standard was held in Podgorica (Montenegro) last March.
The events are organized within the international cooperation project „Mountain areas – values and cooperation: Carnia, Italy and Rozaje, Montenegro“, funded by Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia.
„Mountain areas“ project is being implemented in partnership between „Cramars“ cooperative and Euroleader from Italy, Forestry Institute, Local Business Center Rožaje, Municipality of Rozaje and LDA Local Democracy Agency, of Nikšić, based upon the „Cooperation agreement“ signed in September 2010.
The project aims to the construction of economic and technological relations in the field of development and to the strengthening of Montenegrin capacities to adopt European standards in order to contribute to the productive and export potentials.
The project is consisted of two axes: PEFC certification standard adoption and human capacity development for Montenegrin relative institutions and local economic development operators strengthening through capacity building and exchanges with Italian companies.
From 24 to 28 April, the second module of PEFC training will be organized in Friuli Venezia Giulia – Italy. In the form of study visit to companies and forest sites, the group of Montenegrin forest experts and institutions representatives, Ministry of agriculture and rural development, Municipality of Rozaje, Forestry Institute and Forest Management Body, will have the opportunity to see how the forests certification system works.
The goal of this study visit is to give to Montenegrin experts the necessary information on the certification and its implementation.
In order to be able to exports wood and forest products to EU countries, every company will have to provide proof of origin for their poducts, because from 2013 the “Due diligence” system (the procedure for exclusion of products with controverse origin) will be introduced.
The first training on PEFC international forest certification standard was held in Podgorica (Montenegro) last March.
The events are organized within the international cooperation project „Mountain areas – values and cooperation: Carnia, Italy and Rozaje, Montenegro“, funded by Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia.
„Mountain areas“ project is being implemented in partnership between „Cramars“ cooperative and Euroleader from Italy, Forestry Institute, Local Business Center Rožaje, Municipality of Rozaje and LDA Local Democracy Agency, of Nikšić, based upon the „Cooperation agreement“ signed in September 2010.
The project aims to the construction of economic and technological relations in the field of development and to the strengthening of Montenegrin capacities to adopt European standards in order to contribute to the productive and export potentials.
The project is consisted of two axes: PEFC certification standard adoption and human capacity development for Montenegrin relative institutions and local economic development operators strengthening through capacity building and exchanges with Italian companies.
MEETING OF LOWER NORMANDY 'S MUNICIPALITIES INVOLVED IN COOPERATION WITH MACEDONIAN'S LOCAL AUTHORITIES. (Caen, 25 April)
A meeting of municipalities and communities from the Region of Lower Normandy who cooperate with the Macedonian municipalities will take place on April 25 in Caen. The meeting will gather the officials and representatives from the Lower Normandy communities, but also representatives of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, as well as representatives of the organisation Horizons Solidaires and the representatives from ALDA Skopje office that are in charge of technical support for the cooperation of cities.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the progress of each municipality in the cooperation and will give an update on administrative and financial matters. They will also discuss the opportunities in establishing new links and introducing other municipalities in the cooperation. One part of the meeting will focus on the tourism component, as a part of the Decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia, and on the role of the municipalities from both regions in tourism development.
In the framework of the Decentralised cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia, there are currently seven active town twining’s, and more pairings are planned in the future. The town twinning segment builds up contacts and friendship with communities from the two territories and promotes better understanding. The Programme for Decentralised cooperation is coordinated by ALDA.
For further information please contact Ivana Dimitrovska ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintranet.org, or visit the u Francuskoj of the cooperation.
A meeting of municipalities and communities from the Region of Lower Normandy who cooperate with the Macedonian municipalities will take place on April 25 in Caen. The meeting will gather the officials and representatives from the Lower Normandy communities, but also representatives of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, as well as representatives of the organisation Horizons Solidaires and the representatives from ALDA Skopje office that are in charge of technical support for the cooperation of cities.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the progress of each municipality in the cooperation and will give an update on administrative and financial matters. They will also discuss the opportunities in establishing new links and introducing other municipalities in the cooperation. One part of the meeting will focus on the tourism component, as a part of the Decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia, and on the role of the municipalities from both regions in tourism development.
In the framework of the Decentralised cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia, there are currently seven active town twining’s, and more pairings are planned in the future. The town twinning segment builds up contacts and friendship with communities from the two territories and promotes better understanding. The Programme for Decentralised cooperation is coordinated by ALDA.
For further information please contact Ivana Dimitrovska ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintranet.org, or visit the u Francuskoj of the cooperation.
TIC-TAC PROJECT: INFODAY EUROPE FOR CITIZENS IN BRATISLAVA (SK), 21 April 2012

The Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia, in co-operation with ALDA and City Bratislava, organizes InfoDay Europe for Citizens that take place in Bratislava, on the 21th of April, 2012, within the ALDA Project TIC-TAC – Training, Information, Cooperation – Towards Active Citizenship.
" event will be held in Primatial Palace, Primacialne nam. 1, from 8:00 to 18:00.
This InfoDay is the first local event organised within the project TIC-TAC and will be followed by eleven other similar initiatives taken by the other partners of this project.
The InfoDay will focus on the promotion of Europe for Citizens Program, history and the concept of Europe wide town-twinning initiatives; deepen knowledge about the concept of active citizenship and citizen’s participation in the European context.
The InfoDay create the platform for the meeting of local authorities and citizens that are interested in the field of active citizenship and in improving governance and relationships between citizens and municipal governments at all levels.

The Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia, in co-operation with ALDA and City Bratislava, organizes InfoDay Europe for Citizens that take place in Bratislava, on the 21th of April, 2012, within the ALDA Project TIC-TAC – Training, Information, Cooperation – Towards Active Citizenship.
" event will be held in Primatial Palace, Primacialne nam. 1, from 8:00 to 18:00.
This InfoDay is the first local event organised within the project TIC-TAC and will be followed by eleven other similar initiatives taken by the other partners of this project.
The InfoDay will focus on the promotion of Europe for Citizens Program, history and the concept of Europe wide town-twinning initiatives; deepen knowledge about the concept of active citizenship and citizen’s participation in the European context.
The InfoDay create the platform for the meeting of local authorities and citizens that are interested in the field of active citizenship and in improving governance and relationships between citizens and municipal governments at all levels.
YOUTH WEARS GREEN - YOUTH EXCHANGE IN PEJA/PEC (Kosovo) 16-22 April 2012
ALDA is now implementing in the city of Peja/Pec the project Youth wears Green, in the framework of the Youth in Action Programme and in collaboration with TcK “Tavolo Trentino con il Kosovo”. The topic of the exchange is the environmental protection.
The project, whose first day activity started on 16 April 2012, has been seeing the participation of youngsters aged 18-25 from Italy, France, Serbia and Kosovo. The participants are being involved in debating on environmental issues and in promoting green measures that could be applied locally.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the living and working together, the organising team had to registerthe strong disappointment of all those involved of not having the opportunity to meet with the Georgian participants. Kosovo authorities denied the access of the Georgian participants at the airport border and qualified them as suspicious people despite the possession of the legal documents required and sent back to them as unwelcomed people.
Despite the inconvenience had with the participants from Georgia the youth exchange has been implementing with a great success allowing participants to reflect and discuss on sustainable development, protection of nature, global worming and the most vivid topic on environmental protection. Different tools and methodologies has been applied during the exchange, all within the framework of non-formal education and highlighting the creativity of the participants.
For more information please contact alfonso.aliberti@aldaintranet.org
ALDA is now implementing in the city of Peja/Pec the project Youth wears Green, in the framework of the Youth in Action Programme and in collaboration with TcK “Tavolo Trentino con il Kosovo”. The topic of the exchange is the environmental protection.
The project, whose first day activity started on 16 April 2012, has been seeing the participation of youngsters aged 18-25 from Italy, France, Serbia and Kosovo. The participants are being involved in debating on environmental issues and in promoting green measures that could be applied locally.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the living and working together, the organising team had to registerthe strong disappointment of all those involved of not having the opportunity to meet with the Georgian participants. Kosovo authorities denied the access of the Georgian participants at the airport border and qualified them as suspicious people despite the possession of the legal documents required and sent back to them as unwelcomed people.
Despite the inconvenience had with the participants from Georgia the youth exchange has been implementing with a great success allowing participants to reflect and discuss on sustainable development, protection of nature, global worming and the most vivid topic on environmental protection. Different tools and methodologies has been applied during the exchange, all within the framework of non-formal education and highlighting the creativity of the participants.
For more information please contact alfonso.aliberti@aldaintranet.org