Discover the new website of the General Assembly of European Municipalities and Regions, to take place from 26 to 28 September 2012 in Cadiz, Spain.  Participants who register before 1 August 2012 will benefit from the early bird registration fee.

This year’s General Assembly will revolve around the theme of “Decentralisation, Democracy and Development: Innovating in 3D”.  What is the state of decentralisation and local democracy in the world?  How to adapt public services to an ever changing political, social and financial environment?  How to integrate the different generations in society?  What role for local and regional authorities in the promotion of equality?  These are among the issues to be discussed on this occasion.

CEMR’s general assemblies are organised every three years, bringing together local and regional leaders, experts, representatives of EU institutions and stakeholders from all over Europe and beyond.  This 25^th edition is organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), in partnership with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).  It is hosted by the City of Cadiz with support from the Province of Cadiz.

New tools, new sessions

Sustainability and innovation will take centre-stage in both thematic and practical terms at this year’s Congress. More intimate and dynamic roundtables, on top of the larger plenary and parallel sessions, will allow for elected representatives to exchange together directly on best practices in a number of specific fields.  Moreover, the Congress website, the mobile phone website and the live Twitter newsfeed are among the new communication tools made available.  These will allow participants to follow the outcomes and debates of the different sessions, to consult the online programme and to find their way in the Congress corridors.

The previous General Assembly took place in Malmö, Sweden, in 2009 and discussed how local and regional governments were preparing for the future, the financial and economic crisis having just kicked off at the time.

Practical information

Date: 26, 27 and 28 September 2012.
Venue: Cadiz Conference Centre, Plaza de Sevilla, 11006 Cadiz, Spain.
Registration: Fill out the online registration form.  Register before 1 August to benefit from the early bird fee.
Languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian.
Website: www.cemr2012.eu