Panel discussion “Active Citizenship versus populism: the path of democracy ”
On 15th January, ALDA, the European Association for Local Democracy, together with FONDACA – Fondazione per la Cittadinanza Attiva- and Rete dell’Università per l’Europa, organised the panel discussion “Active Citizenship versus populism: the path of democracy ” in Rome.
The event was the occasion to present the publication edited by Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, “Citizens participation at the Local Level in the EU and in the Neighbouring Countries”. The book focused on the 15 years’ experience of ALDA and its members in the field of citizenship participation.
After the speeches of Giovanni Moro, FONDACA President, and of Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, the debate, chaired by Professor Francesco Guy, Coordinator of Rete Università per l’Europa, was opened to the public. Please find here below some of more salient points of the discussion.
Giovanni Moro, President of Fondaca, underlined that Antonella Valmorbida’s book allows dealing with the issues related to active citizenship and citizen participation, which are effective solutions against populism, if they are seriously implemented like in ALDA.
Stefano Ceccanti, Professor at the University “La Sapienza” in Rome, pointed out that populism related to European policies is due to the absence of a real European government.
Paolo Ponzano, Institutional Affairs Advisor at the General Secretariat of the European Commission, stressed the importance of Article 11 of the Treaty of Lisbon, which firstly acknowledged citizens’ right of participation. Before that, in fact, the consultation of civil society consisted in collecting the experts’ opinions and not in a direct involvement of citizens in decision-making processes.
Alessandro Perelli, ALDA Vice President and Responsible of the International Relations in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region, declared: “The work we are doing is the cure against populism and the growing inattention towards the system and democratic mechanisms”.
Pier Virgilio Dastoli, President of CIME, underlined the importance of the Aarhus Convention. Participatory democracy is stronger when representative democracy itself is strong.
Serena Foracchia, Member of Reggio Emilia Council, presented the experience of Forum del Terzo Settore -Third Sector Forum – of the city, which contributes in crucial way to the life of the Municipality and attempts to establish relationships also at the European level. The municipality, which has always been in the forefront for its democratic practices, is a really active member in ALDA.
Please find here Antonella Valmorbida’s complete speech (in Italian; .pdf)
Panel discussion “Active Citizenship versus populism: the path of democracy ”
On 15th January, ALDA, the European Association for Local Democracy, together with FONDACA – Fondazione per la Cittadinanza Attiva- and Rete dell’Università per l’Europa, organised the panel discussion “Active Citizenship versus populism: the path of democracy ” in Rome.
The event was the occasion to present the publication edited by Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, “Citizens participation at the Local Level in the EU and in the Neighbouring Countries”. The book focused on the 15 years’ experience of ALDA and its members in the field of citizenship participation.
After the speeches of Giovanni Moro, FONDACA President, and of Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, the debate, chaired by Professor Francesco Guy, Coordinator of Rete Università per l’Europa, was opened to the public. Please find here below some of more salient points of the discussion.
Giovanni Moro, President of Fondaca, underlined that Antonella Valmorbida’s book allows dealing with the issues related to active citizenship and citizen participation, which are effective solutions against populism, if they are seriously implemented like in ALDA.
Stefano Ceccanti, Professor at the University “La Sapienza” in Rome, pointed out that populism related to European policies is due to the absence of a real European government.
Paolo Ponzano, Institutional Affairs Advisor at the General Secretariat of the European Commission, stressed the importance of Article 11 of the Treaty of Lisbon, which firstly acknowledged citizens’ right of participation. Before that, in fact, the consultation of civil society consisted in collecting the experts’ opinions and not in a direct involvement of citizens in decision-making processes.
Alessandro Perelli, ALDA Vice President and Responsible of the International Relations in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region, declared: “The work we are doing is the cure against populism and the growing inattention towards the system and democratic mechanisms”.
Pier Virgilio Dastoli, President of CIME, underlined the importance of the Aarhus Convention. Participatory democracy is stronger when representative democracy itself is strong.
Serena Foracchia, Member of Reggio Emilia Council, presented the experience of Forum del Terzo Settore -Third Sector Forum – of the city, which contributes in crucial way to the life of the Municipality and attempts to establish relationships also at the European level. The municipality, which has always been in the forefront for its democratic practices, is a really active member in ALDA.
Please find here Antonella Valmorbida’s complete speech (in Italian; .pdf)