Месяц: 1ТП1Ц

ALDA, in partnership with Civil Society Europe, the Committee of the Regions and the consortium of the project RE.CRI.RE, organized on Wednesday 24 February the seminar “The socio-economic crisis and its impact on European societies and identities: how to shape social policies in today’s Europe?”.

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The event was an occasion to debate with representatives of civil society, policy-makers and experts of social sciences about the design and implementation of social policies in the post-crisis scenario.

The panel, moderated by Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, aimed at analysing the crisis and its effects through a multi-perspective approach by bringing in the voice of different stakeholders from across Europe. “Europe went through a considerable number of crisis in the last 15-20 years that significantly changed citizens’ life. The project RE.CRI.RE is one of ALDA´s pilot projects and wants to be an innovative tool to contribute to bring Europe out of the social-economic crisis” stated Oriano Otočan, President of ALDA, in opening the debate.

Yuri Bormann, Policy Officer from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, stressed European Commission’s commitment to promote innovative responses to the crisis through policies able to strengthen the resilience of societies, renew the European integration and identity and at the same time strengthen the sense of solidarity and the public sphere. He invited the RE.CRI.RE consortium and all stakeholders contributing to the debate “to produce outcomes that have policy relevance“.

A more social and cohesive Europe was the key message delivered by Ms Elsa Laino, Social Services Coordinator at SOLIDAR, while Ms Vera Bonvolat, Executive Committee Member at the European Disability Forum, provided a set of data showcasing how persons with disabilities have been among the groups most affected by the crisis: “The economic crisis has a greater impact on the standard of living of persons with disabilities compared to the general population” was her summarising conclusion.

Prof Sergio Salvatore, Scientific Coordinator of the RE.CRI.RE consortium, addressed the question of the seminar by stressing that “when we think about social policies, we need to start from the principle that policies depend on cultural contexts. In particular, culture mediates the relation between interventions and their impact, as well as the meaning attributed to the impact. Policies are instances of cultures in actions, they reproduce the cultural assumptions they are grounded on. Consequently, the knowledge of the cultural dynamics is useful for orienting and empowering policies: their design, their implementation and their evaluation”.

The seminar was closed by Prof Marco Cremaschi, teaching urbanistic at the University of Roma Tre, who addressed the dimension of policies. “Аll policies are local, local actors have to act today on global challenges”, was his final statement.

Within ALDA’s cooperation with Financial Service Volunteer Corps, the Head of ALDA’s Communication department Irene Zanetti delivered two two-days training on communication to around sixty representatives of Tunisian municipality. The trainings were held in Tunis and in Kairouan, from 22 to 25 February 2016.

On February 24th 2016, the international seminar entitled “The socio-economic crisis and its impact on European societies and identities: how to shape social policies in today’s Europe?” took place, within the framework of the project Re.Cri.Re – Between the Representation of the Crisis and the Crisis of Representation. Oriano Otočan, president of ALDA, participated and contributed with a speech.

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The objective of the seminar was an open a space for discussion between representatives of Universities and Research Centres, to identify innovative responses to the crisis through policies able to strengthen the resilience of societies, renew the European integration and identity and at the same time strengthen the sense of solidarity and the public sphere.

Regarding the impact of the crisis, Oriano Otočan, the President of ALDA, declared: “The different types of crisis in the EU and its environment that occurred in last nine-ten years have radically changed today’s Europe, European countries, a way of life of its citizens. Europe today is not what it was 15 or 20 years ago. The project Re.Cri.Re is one of ALDA´s pilot project and wants to be an innovative tool to understand better today´s Europe and to contribute to bringing Europe out of the social crisis”.

Are you passionate about writing and creating videos? Would you like to contribute with your time, commitment and competence as a volunteer for a European programme and engage on local level? Then here is your opportunity! Apply now and become our Youth Correspondent!

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For the second year of the project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue”, the Local Democracy Agencies from Mostar, Zavidovici, Prijedor (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Subotica and Knjazevac (Serbia), Niksic (Montenegro), Peja (Kosovo), together with ALDA Skopje, and the municipalities of Centar and Kavadarci (Macedonia), recruit 2 (two) volunteers from each respective town, for the position of Youth Correspondent. We are looking for young and dynamic people who will work closely with us on the topic of youth participation on local and regional level for 12 months.

As our future Youth Correspondent you will have the opportunity to:

• Create written and video materials on youth related topics as well as material for our regional newsletter and internet awareness raising campaign.
• Join an international team of Youth Workers and Coordination Staff from 5 different countries: Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo*.
• Extend the knowledge on Youth Engagement, Cultural diversity and Inclusion, Social Impact, and Communications.
• Bring their own ideas and initiatives for reinforcing youth policies and dialogue on local level.
• Promote their created content on the regional web platform: www.alda-balkan-youth.eu

To find out more, and to apply, please visit this этой ссылке and download the Open Call for Youth Correspondent official document.

From 22 to 26 February, ALDA and its partners of the consortium ReCriRe are successfully holding the first General Assembly meeting of 2016. The event is taking place at the Committee of the Regions and at the office of the Council of Europe in Brussels. The meeting is an occasion to gather together the sixteen Universities and Research centers, covering 13 European countries, to advance the research on what kind of social identity change is occurring in Europe in time of crisis.
The General Assembly provides the partners with the opportunity to finalize the upcoming meetings of the main body of the consortium and to revise the key tools of the research such as the Communication and Dissemination Plan, the Gender Strategy and Data Management Plan. Participants are also discussing the first results of the Working Package 3 related to the multilevel analysis of the symbolic universe. As action plan for the upcoming 12 months, they are developing the overall approach of the case studies of policies.
The seminar “The socio-economic crisis and its impact on European societies and identities: how to shape social policies in today’s Europe” is a key moment to discuss the assumptions of the project and its current outcomes with policy makers, civil society and social science experts. The objective of the seminar is to identify innovative responses to the crisis through policies able to strengthen the resilience of societies, renew the European integration and identity and at the same time strengthen the sense of solidarity and the public sphere.
The three-year project, funded under the call Europe in a changing world – Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies, started in May 2015. It is aimed at analyzing the symbolic background of European societies and the impacts of the socio-economic crisis on them, in order to frame better policies at local, national and European level.

The new series “Local democracy library” launched by ALDA collects the expertise of the Association in the field of good local governance analyzing specific topics in cooperation with our members and partners.
The first issue of the series, titled “Decentralized cooperation: an added value for Eastern Partnership countries”, presents the benefits of decentralized cooperation as an instrument for engaging local and regional authorities in the EaP. Written by our Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, the paper is primarily intended for EU policy makers and practitioners in the field of development cooperation, for staff of national, local and regional authorities of Eastern Partnership countries, and provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities linked to decentralized cooperation in these countries.

Read the paper:
English version
Russian version

L’ALDA et la Bibliothèque de la démocratie locale – La coopération décentralisée dans le Partenariat oriental mise en lumière dans le premier numéro

La nouvelle série « Bibliothèque de la démocratie locale» lancée par l’ALDA recueille l’expertise de l’Association dans le domaine de la bonne gouvernance locale, analysant des sujets spécifiques en collaboration avec nos membres et partenaires.
Le premier numéro de la série, intitulé “Coopération décentralisée: une valeur ajoutée pour les pays du Partenariat oriental”, présente les avantages de la coopération décentralisée comme un instrument pour l’engagement des autorités locales et régionales dans le Partenariat oriental. Rédigé par notre Secrétaire générale, Antonella Valmorbida, le document est principalement destiné aux décideurs et aux professionnels de la politique de l’UE dans le domaine de la coopération pour le développement, pour le personnel des autorités nationales, locales et régionales des pays du Partenariat oriental, et donne un aperçu des défis et des opportunités liées à la coopération décentralisée dans ces pays.

L’article à lire:
Version en Anglais
Version en Russe

La libreria della democrazia locale di ALDA – La cooperazione decentrata nel Partenariato Orientale focus del primo numero

La nuova collezione “Libreria della democrazia locale” lanciata da ALDA raccoglie l’esperienza dell’Associazione nel campo della buona governance locale e analizza temi specifici, in collaborazione con i nostri soci e partner.
Il primo numero, dal titolo “La cooperazione decentrata: un valore aggiunto per i paesi del Partenariato Orientale” (titolo originale: Decentralized cooperation: an added value for Eastern Partnership countries), presenta i vantaggi della cooperazione decentrata come uno strumento in grado di coinvolgere gli enti locali e regionali nell’area. Scritto dalla Segretario Generale di ALDA Antonella Valmorbida, l’articolo è mirato particolarmente ai policy maker europei e a chi lavora nel campo della cooperazione allo sviluppo, oltre che allo staff di enti nazionali, locali e regionali di paesi del Partenariato Orientale, e offre una panoramica della sfide e opportunità connesse alla cooperazione decentrata nei paesi trattati.

Scarica l’articolo:
Versione inglese (.pdf)
Versione russa (.pdf)

Библиотека местной демократии ALDA — В центре внимания: Децентрализованное сотрудничество в странах Восточного Партнерства

Новая серия «Библиотеки местной демократии», запущенная ALDA, представляет собой коллекцию опыта Ассоциации в сфере надлежащего управления, анализируя определенные темы в сотрудничестве с ее членами и партнерами. Первый выпуск серии под названием «Децентрализованное сотрудничество: Преимущества для стран Восточного партнерства», представляет преимущества децентрализованного сотрудничества для вовлечения местных и региональных властей в странах ВП. Написанное Генеральным секретарем Ассоциации Антонеллой Вальморбида, данный выпуск нацелен, в первую очередь, на политиков ЕС и практиков в сфере сотрудничества для развития, для работников национальных, региональных и местных властей в странах ВП, и представляет собой обзор вызовов существующих в данных странах, а также возможностей в сфере децентрализованного сотрудничества.

Читать документ:
Английская версия
Русская версия

ALDA biblioteka lokalne demokratije – Decentralizovana saradnja u Istorčnom partnerstvu u fokusu prvog izdanja

Novo izdanje “Biblioteka lokalne demokratije” lansirano od strane ALDA prikuplja ekspertizu Udruženja u oblasti dobrog lokalnog upravljanja analizirajući specifične teme u saradnji sa našim članovima i partnerima.
Prvi broj izdanja, pod nazivom “Decentralizovana saradnja: dodata vrednost u zemljama Istočnog partnerstva”, predstavlja prednosti decentralizovane saradnje kao instrumenta za angažovanje lokalnih i regionalnih vlasti u Istočnom partnerstvu. Kreiran od strane naše generalne sekretarke Antonelle Valmorbide, članak je prvenstveno namenjen donosiocima odluka i praktičarima u EU u oblasti razvojne saradnje, za predstavnike nacionalnih, lokalnih i regionalnih vlasti zemalja Istočnog partnerstva i daje pregled izazova i mogućnosti vezanih za decentralizovanu saradnju u ovim zemljama.

Pročitajte rad:
Verzija na engleskom
Verzija na ruskom

Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue is the project designed to contribute to structuring regional thematic cooperation and coordination between civil society and public authorities in the Western Balkan countries primarily aimed to improve environment for youth activism and participation.

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This publication is the result of extensive field research work carried out by the team of experts, youth workers and the project partner LDA steam members. Field research, focus group meetings, field and online surveys were conducted in some thirty smaller local communities across the region.

Information and feedback collected and comprised in this publication serve as the grounds for furthering advocacy actions of CSOs operating at grass root level to influence more effectively the so much needed legislative and institutional reforms in support to enhanced implementation of youth policies and to furthering the EU integration perspective of the Western Balkans.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Полезные ссылки:

Publication – Comparative Overview and Analysis: Policy and Legislative Framework for Youth Participation in the Balkans

On 16th February, ALDA participated in the seminar “Crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat: Mapping and documenting migratory journeys and experiences” organized by the University of Warwick.

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The objective of the event was to debate the outcomes of the research that involved 150 interviews across the three islands of Malta, Kos (Greece), and Sicily (Italy).

The event provided detailed insights into migratory journeys and experiences across the three sites, and it shed more light on policy effects by addressing the knowledge and expectations that informed migrant/refugee decision-¬making. Among the key findings of the ongoing research was the absence of legal means of entry to the EU, especially for asylum seekers, and this pushes migrants to undertake dangerous crossings and living in unfavourable conditions in may shift shelters. The event concluded with recommendations on replacing deterrent border control policies with interventions that address the diverse causes of irregular migration. Deterrent policies should be replaced by interventions that will improve the livelihoods and educational opportunities across source, neighboring, and transit regions. It also supported calls to open safe and legal routes to the EU and improved reception conditions and facilities at all arrival points across the EU, to ensure that human rights and international protection obligations are met in full.

The European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA welcomes the application for EU.
Although Brussels made it clear Bosnia and Herzegovina must carry out a series of reforms before the application can be considered, the event represents a milestone for the country, as well as for the process of EU integration.
“After the accession of Croatia, my country, in 2013, and the progresses of Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania towards integration, I congratulate Bosnia and Herzegovina and all the stakeholders who have made this crucial step possible” said Oriano Otočan, President of ALDA.
“We are all aware that this is the beginning of a long journey of reforms and improvements. However, I would like to quote the words of the High Representatives for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, who highlighted that this is a great day for the country citizens, who can see that common objectives can be achieved when all levels of governance cooperate” continued Otočan.
ALDA has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since its establishment to rebuild trust in the war-torn country. Together with the three Local Democracy Agencies based in Mostar, Zavidovici, and Prijedor, it has accompanied the transition of the country towards democracy, while promoting interethnic dialogue, civic participation, good governance, and development.

Ориано Оточан,
президент ALDA,

For more information:
About ALDA
About the Агентством местной демократии Мостар
About the Local Democracy Agency Zavidovici
About the Агентством местной демократии Приедор