Tunisia: between democratic rights, equal opportunities, protection of minorities and active citizenship
Statement of the Vice-President of ALDA, Alessandro Perelli.
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Europe is now called upon to carefully observe what is going on in Tunisia, where after a short political crisis, the new coalition Government made up of lay people, moderate Islamic and minority groups, has been voted by the Parliament. Namely, the alliance giving life to the Constitution – that represented for Tunisia a significant qualitative leap in democratic and civil rights – has been confirmed.
The young Prime Minister, Youssef Chahed – that I also had the pleasure to meet personally few months ago during a visit of the Italian regions, while he was the Minister of Local Authorities – is a person of great charisma and authoritativeness, and in his first declarations he underlined the need of improving relations with the European Union.
The Prime Minister also showed a particular attention towards youngsters and the issue of unemployment. The European Union cannot be indifferent on these matters, and we all wish that the financial support to Tunisia can be increased, since Tunisia, among the countries of the European Neighbourhood, is the one that concretely demonstrated its will of promoting democratic rights, equal opportunities, protection of minorities and active citizenship. And also for this reason it was target of bloody terrorist attacks.
Since Youssef Chahed already worked in this direction during his mandate as Minister, his election as Prime Minister leads to expectations of having soon a confirmation of the date of the local elections, that will allow the switch from appointed mayors to elected mayors.
ALDA, which has been working for several years in the Mediterranean side of Africa, foresees the opening of a Local Democracy Agency in Kairouan by the end of the year. For this purpose, a pre-agreement with the Local Authorities has already been signed. Next 19th October in Tunis, within an initiative organised in cooperation with ARLEM, a final decision about the new Agency will be taken.
Statement of the Vice-President of ALDA, Alessandro Perelli.
***
Europe is now called upon to carefully observe what is going on in Tunisia, where after a short political crisis, the new coalition Government made up of lay people, moderate Islamic and minority groups, has been voted by the Parliament. Namely, the alliance giving life to the Constitution – that represented for Tunisia a significant qualitative leap in democratic and civil rights – has been confirmed.
The young Prime Minister, Youssef Chahed – that I also had the pleasure to meet personally few months ago during a visit of the Italian regions, while he was the Minister of Local Authorities – is a person of great charisma and authoritativeness, and in his first declarations he underlined the need of improving relations with the European Union.
The Prime Minister also showed a particular attention towards youngsters and the issue of unemployment. The European Union cannot be indifferent on these matters, and we all wish that the financial support to Tunisia can be increased, since Tunisia, among the countries of the European Neighbourhood, is the one that concretely demonstrated its will of promoting democratic rights, equal opportunities, protection of minorities and active citizenship. And also for this reason it was target of bloody terrorist attacks.
Since Youssef Chahed already worked in this direction during his mandate as Minister, his election as Prime Minister leads to expectations of having soon a confirmation of the date of the local elections, that will allow the switch from appointed mayors to elected mayors.
ALDA, which has been working for several years in the Mediterranean side of Africa, foresees the opening of a Local Democracy Agency in Kairouan by the end of the year. For this purpose, a pre-agreement with the Local Authorities has already been signed. Next 19th October in Tunis, within an initiative organised in cooperation with ARLEM, a final decision about the new Agency will be taken.
Tunisia: between democratic rights, equal opportunities, protection of minorities and active citizenship
Europe is now called upon to carefully observe what is going on in Тунис, where after a short political crisis, the new coalition Government made up of lay people, moderate Islamic and minority groups, has been voted by the Parliament. Namely, the alliance giving life to the Constitution – that represented for Tunisia a significant qualitative leap in democratic and civil rights – has been confirmed.
The young Prime Minister, Youssef Chahed – that I also had the pleasure to meet personally few months ago during a visit of the Italian regions, while he was the Minister of Local Authorities –is a person of great charisma and authoritativeness, and in his first declarations he underlined the need of improving relations with the European Union.
Europe is now called upon to carefully observe what is going on in Тунис, where after a short political crisis, the new coalition Government made up of lay people, moderate Islamic and minority groups, has been voted by the Parliament. Namely, the alliance giving life to the Constitution – that represented for Tunisia a significant qualitative leap in democratic and civil rights – has been confirmed.
The young Prime Minister, Youssef Chahed – that I also had the pleasure to meet personally few months ago during a visit of the Italian regions, while he was the Minister of Local Authorities –is a person of great charisma and authoritativeness, and in his first declarations he underlined the need of improving relations with the European Union.
Study visit of Belarusian participants in Latvia in the framework of “SPREAD II” project
From 15 to 19th of August, a study visit for Belarusian representatives from the Vitebsk civic center was organized in Latvia, in the frame of the project of ALDA “Sustainable Partnership for REinforcment of Active Development – SPREAD II” implemented in partnership with the Lev Sapieha Foundation from Belarus.
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The aim of the study visit was to promote and foster partnership and networking on international level and to consolidate the exchanges between different types of Belarusian Non-state actors. The visit was organized by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments. During 4 days meetings were organized in Riga, Cesis, Koceni and Carnikova. Participants get acquitted with the system of Local self-government in Latvia – presented by the chairmen of the Latvian Association Andris Jaunsleinis. Different municipalities presented their initiatives and experience of partnership and cooperation with the civil society.
Participants had a chance to visit such multifunctional buildings as The multi-functional Vidzeme music and cultural center of Cesis, which locates acoustic concert hall with 800 seats, as well as a small concert hall with 100 seats and organ hall with 99 seats, classrooms for Alfreds Kalnins Cesis College of Music, rehearsal rooms for Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra, choirs and dance groups, public music library, a café, as well as exhibition hall and Cesis district cultural Bureau. It was also very interesting to visit the Information Center of Culture and tourism of Dikli, which unites local museum of folk song festival of Latvia, small concert hall and space for civil society. Koceni municipality presented examples of local initiatives funded from local budget as well as from the different programs aiming at supporting the development of local community.
Participants had a chance to observe different models of collaboration of LAs and civil society actors in the spheres of culture, agriculture, tourism and youth.
Two more study visits are planned in Poland and Estonia. The project “Sustainable Partnership for REinforcment of Active Development – SPREAD II” is funded by the European Commission.
From 15 to 19th of August, a study visit for Belarusian representatives from the Vitebsk civic center was organized in Latvia, in the frame of the project of ALDA “Sustainable Partnership for REinforcment of Active Development – SPREAD II” implemented in partnership with the Lev Sapieha Foundation from Belarus.
***
The aim of the study visit was to promote and foster partnership and networking on international level and to consolidate the exchanges between different types of Belarusian Non-state actors. The visit was organized by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments. During 4 days meetings were organized in Riga, Cesis, Koceni and Carnikova. Participants get acquitted with the system of Local self-government in Latvia – presented by the chairmen of the Latvian Association Andris Jaunsleinis. Different municipalities presented their initiatives and experience of partnership and cooperation with the civil society.
Participants had a chance to visit such multifunctional buildings as The multi-functional Vidzeme music and cultural center of Cesis, which locates acoustic concert hall with 800 seats, as well as a small concert hall with 100 seats and organ hall with 99 seats, classrooms for Alfreds Kalnins Cesis College of Music, rehearsal rooms for Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra, choirs and dance groups, public music library, a café, as well as exhibition hall and Cesis district cultural Bureau. It was also very interesting to visit the Information Center of Culture and tourism of Dikli, which unites local museum of folk song festival of Latvia, small concert hall and space for civil society. Koceni municipality presented examples of local initiatives funded from local budget as well as from the different programs aiming at supporting the development of local community.
Participants had a chance to observe different models of collaboration of LAs and civil society actors in the spheres of culture, agriculture, tourism and youth.
Two more study visits are planned in Poland and Estonia. The project “Sustainable Partnership for REinforcment of Active Development – SPREAD II” is funded by the European Commission.
Promoting citizens participation at the local level within the framework of the “European Local Democracy Week”
ALDA, partner of the “European Local Democracy Week” (ELDW), yearly organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authrorities of the Council of Europe, invites all its members (local communities, cities, municipalities, provinces, regions) to take part in the ELDW as Partner of the Week.
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Local authorities from all the 47 member States of the Council of Europe, their associations, citizens and NGOs are invited to register and organise public events to promote and foster democratic participation at grassroots level.
The initiative also aims at further disseminating the Council of Europe universal values such as democracy and human rights, while also offering the participants the opportunity to join a European network engaged for the promotion of citizen participation at the local level.
The theme of this year’s initiative is “Living together in culturally diverse societies: respect, dialogue, interaction”. The ELDW will be taking place between 10 and 16 October. However, should this coincide with other events or local elections, local authorities may choose to organise the ELDW on more convenient dates around October where possible.
For further information about the ELDW, please visit the official page.
ALDA, partner of the “European Local Democracy Week” (ELDW), yearly organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authrorities of the Council of Europe, invites all its members (local communities, cities, municipalities, provinces, regions) to take part in the ELDW as Partner of the Week.
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Local authorities from all the 47 member States of the Council of Europe, their associations, citizens and NGOs are invited to register and organise public events to promote and foster democratic participation at grassroots level.
The initiative also aims at further disseminating the Council of Europe universal values such as democracy and human rights, while also offering the participants the opportunity to join a European network engaged for the promotion of citizen participation at the local level.
The theme of this year’s initiative is “Living together in culturally diverse societies: respect, dialogue, interaction”. The ELDW will be taking place between 10 and 16 October. However, should this coincide with other events or local elections, local authorities may choose to organise the ELDW on more convenient dates around October where possible.
For further information about the ELDW, please visit the official page.
Cooperation with Civil Society to promote Public Administration Reform in the Eastern Partnership Countries
Publication Cooperation with Civil Society to promote Public Administration Reform in the Eastern Partnership Countries
Publication Cooperation with Civil Society to promote Public Administration Reform in the Eastern Partnership Countries
Fifth Edition of the Project “Young Reporters in Romania”
The Association “On the footsteps of Albert Londres” organized the project “Young reporters in Romania” in July 2016 as part of the France-Balkans multilateral decentralized cooperation programme on good governance in South-East Europe.
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The programme is organized yearly and it’s dedicated to Albert Londres, French journalist and writer, considered to be the inventor of investigative journalism.
The project, which was organized for the 5th time, was implemented from 9th July to 23rd July in Romania. 11 young reporters from Romania, France and Macedonia wrote reportages about topics such as the castle of Bran and the legend of Dracula, the city of Brasov, the business in the city of Aiud and the city of Sapanta on the border with Ukraine.
ALDA is involved in the programme France-Balkans since its creation, engaging in the topic of youth and European enlargement as a partner from 2010. Result of this cooperation was the participation of one Macedonian reporter in this year’s programme. Last year, the project was organized by ALDA Skopje in collaboration with the Association “On the footsteps of Albert Londres” and it was implemented in Macedonia and Albania.
The project “Young reporters in Romania” was supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, the Regional council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Council of Allier, Vichy Val D’Allier, the town of Cusset, Varenne Foundation, EDF Auvergne, Aiud and the other Romanian partners, ALDA and others.
The Association “On the footsteps of Albert Londres” organized the project “Young reporters in Romania” in July 2016 as part of the France-Balkans multilateral decentralized cooperation programme on good governance in South-East Europe.***
The programme is organized yearly and it’s dedicated to Albert Londres, French journalist and writer, considered to be the inventor of investigative journalism.
The project, which was organized for the 5th time, was implemented from 9th July to 23rd July in Romania. 11 young reporters from Romania, France and Macedonia wrote reportages about topics such as the castle of Bran and the legend of Dracula, the city of Brasov, the business in the city of Aiud and the city of Sapanta on the border with Ukraine.
ALDA is involved in the programme France-Balkans since its creation, engaging in the topic of youth and European enlargement as a partner from 2010. Result of this cooperation was the participation of one Macedonian reporter in this year’s programme. Last year, the project was organized by ALDA Skopje in collaboration with the Association “On the footsteps of Albert Londres” and it was implemented in Macedonia and Albania.
The project “Young reporters in Romania” was supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, the Regional council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Council of Allier, Vichy Val D’Allier, the town of Cusset, Varenne Foundation, EDF Auvergne, Aiud and the other Romanian partners, ALDA and others.
ALDA Skopje and Municipality of Centar in Skopje signed Memorandum of Understanding
ALDA Skopje and the Municipality of Centar in Skopje signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue” on August 8th, 2016.
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The memorandum is designed to formalize and define the frame of the ongoing cooperation between ALDA Skopje and the Municipality of Centar within the project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue”.
The project has the aim to initiate and foster regional thematic collaboration and coordination between civil society and public authorities, as well as encourage youth activism and youth participation, especially concerning marginalized groups. Five countries are included in the project: Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This agreement will allow both structures to ensure good coordination and implementation of the activities on local and regional level.
The project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue” is realized within IPA Operating grant for CSO associations and it’s supported by the European commission.
ALDA Skopje and the Municipality of Centar in Skopje signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue” on August 8th, 2016.
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The memorandum is designed to formalize and define the frame of the ongoing cooperation between ALDA Skopje and the Municipality of Centar within the project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue”.
The project has the aim to initiate and foster regional thematic collaboration and coordination between civil society and public authorities, as well as encourage youth activism and youth participation, especially concerning marginalized groups. Five countries are included in the project: Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This agreement will allow both structures to ensure good coordination and implementation of the activities on local and regional level.
The project “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue” is realized within IPA Operating grant for CSO associations and it’s supported by the European commission.
Balkan youngsters celebrated World Youth Day through a video about youth
World Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12th August. This year, several youngsters from the Balkan region, organized by their countries’ LDAs, celebrated this day working together on the topic of youth. The result of the collaboration is a video in which youngsters discuss about the issues they’re facing as youngsters living in this region.
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The video named “Balkan youth unplugged” was published on the official website of Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue – the project conveyed by the participating LDAs. The youngsters who created the video are part of the project themselves as Youth Engagement Workers within the platform.
The Young engagement workers from Mostar, Vlora, Knjazevac, Peja, Zavidovici, Niksic, Subotica, and Prijedor asked local youngsters questions like “What’s good about being young?”and “What are the problems youngsters are facing?” to see the point of view of youngsters in the region, thus raising awareness about the importance of youth activism and youth participation in decision making.
Полезные ссылки:
World Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12th August. This year, several youngsters from the Balkan region, organized by their countries’ LDAs, celebrated this day working together on the topic of youth. The result of the collaboration is a video in which youngsters discuss about the issues they’re facing as youngsters living in this region.
***
The video named “Balkan youth unplugged” was published on the official website of Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue – the project conveyed by the participating LDAs. The youngsters who created the video are part of the project themselves as Youth Engagement Workers within the platform.
The Young engagement workers from Mostar, Vlora, Knjazevac, Peja, Zavidovici, Niksic, Subotica, and Prijedor asked local youngsters questions like “What’s good about being young?”and “What are the problems youngsters are facing?” to see the point of view of youngsters in the region, thus raising awareness about the importance of youth activism and youth participation in decision making.
Полезные ссылки:
Devastating floods leave 22 dead in Macedonia – Donate for the flood victims from the affected areas
Macedonia was hit by a terrible storm on 6th August. The most affected city was the capital city of Skopje: 22 lives were lost, thousands of homes were ruined or damaged.
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Although more than ten days have passed since the catastrophe, people are still facing risks of infections and diseases because the waste caused by the storm hasn’t been cleaned yet.
It is estimated that the cleaning of homes and streets will cost tens of millions of Euros. Donations are collected using several methods and they come from fellow citizens and other countries, as well as organizations, companies and institutions.
ALDA expresses sympathies for the victims and the families who lost their loved ones. The office of ALDA Skopje works in the sphere of citizen participation for more than seven years, conducting local projects that foster initiatives for active citizenship.
Support for the victims of the catastrophe is much needed. To help the people affected by the floods, make your donation using the official bank account of the Red Cross in Macedonia.
NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION: MACEDONIAN RED CROSS
BANK NAME: KOMERCIJALNA BANKA AD SKOPJE
BANK ADDRESS: UL. ORCE NIKOLOV NO.3, 1000 SKOPJE, MACEDONIA
BANK ACCOUNT: 300000000000133 25730522-11
SWIFT CODE: KOBSMK2X
IBAN CODE: MK07300701000001228
Macedonia was hit by a terrible storm on 6th August. The most affected city was the capital city of Skopje: 22 lives were lost, thousands of homes were ruined or damaged.
***
Although more than ten days have passed since the catastrophe, people are still facing risks of infections and diseases because the waste caused by the storm hasn’t been cleaned yet.
It is estimated that the cleaning of homes and streets will cost tens of millions of Euros. Donations are collected using several methods and they come from fellow citizens and other countries, as well as organizations, companies and institutions.
ALDA expresses sympathies for the victims and the families who lost their loved ones. The office of ALDA Skopje works in the sphere of citizen participation for more than seven years, conducting local projects that foster initiatives for active citizenship.
Support for the victims of the catastrophe is much needed. To help the people affected by the floods, make your donation using the official bank account of the Red Cross in Macedonia.
NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION: MACEDONIAN RED CROSS
BANK NAME: KOMERCIJALNA BANKA AD SKOPJE
BANK ADDRESS: UL. ORCE NIKOLOV NO.3, 1000 SKOPJE, MACEDONIA
BANK ACCOUNT: 300000000000133 25730522-11
SWIFT CODE: KOBSMK2X
IBAN CODE: MK07300701000001228
Participate in the Summer University on European Citizenship organised by ECIT!
ALDA’s member ECIT – European Citizens’ rights, Involvement and Trust – is organising a Summer University on European Citizenship to be held from 29 to 31 August at the “Maison des Associations Internationales” in Brussels.
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It is the first event in Brussels in the aftermath of Brexit bringing together people from different backgrounds – students, academics, activists and policy makers – to discuss the impact of Brexit on citizens’ rights and European citizenship.
The 3-day event has a double objective: to act now by bringing together researchers, civil society representatives and officials involved with the study and defence of European citizens’ rights to free movement and EU fundamental rights and values and to think laterally about lessons to be learned from these crises for the future so that in the medium-term European citizenship can be pieced together and reconfigured.
The programme includes interesting speakers and the Summer University is also attracting participants working on projects and research related to European citizenship. About 75 participants are expected at this year’s event which will take the form of a dialogue among the three main protagonists of European citizenship: civil society representatives, academics and public authorities. Over 200 people are expected for the public debate in the evening: students as well as local and European citizens. ALDA will be represented by Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship Programme.
Полезные ссылки:
ALDA’s member ECIT – European Citizens’ rights, Involvement and Trust – is organising a Summer University on European Citizenship to be held from 29 to 31 August at the “Maison des Associations Internationales” in Brussels.
***
It is the first event in Brussels in the aftermath of Brexit bringing together people from different backgrounds – students, academics, activists and policy makers – to discuss the impact of Brexit on citizens’ rights and European citizenship.
The 3-day event has a double objective: to act now by bringing together researchers, civil society representatives and officials involved with the study and defence of European citizens’ rights to free movement and EU fundamental rights and values and to think laterally about lessons to be learned from these crises for the future so that in the medium-term European citizenship can be pieced together and reconfigured.
The programme includes interesting speakers and the Summer University is also attracting participants working on projects and research related to European citizenship. About 75 participants are expected at this year’s event which will take the form of a dialogue among the three main protagonists of European citizenship: civil society representatives, academics and public authorities. Over 200 people are expected for the public debate in the evening: students as well as local and European citizens. ALDA will be represented by Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship Programme.
Полезные ссылки: