Governance and citizenship

Local and regional authorities all over Europe are invited to participate in this year’s edition of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), to take place from 15 to 21 October 2012.

The leading theme will be "Human rights make for more inclusive communities”, as many human, social and civil rights and freedoms are implemented at the local level. Therefore, it is important for local authorities and citizens to understand the bottom-up nature of democracy.

The event takes place each year around 15 October to pay tribute to the Council of Europe's European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was launched on that same date in 1985. The Charter was inspired by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)'s European Charter of Local Liberties, which was opened for signature in 1953.

More generally speaking, the ELDW provides a great opportunity to raise awareness for democratic participation at the local level and to enhance dialogue among the citizens, local authorities and civil servants of the 47 member countries of the Council of Europe.

ELDW and CEMR’s General Assembly

In a similar context, Keith Whitmore, president of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, has confirmed his participation at the CEMR General Assembly in Cadiz, Spain. During a session on crisis exit strategies, to take place on Thursday 27 September 2012, he will share his views on how partnerships between local and regional governments, local economic partners and civil society can offer solutions to overcoming the current economic and social crisis.

Background information

The ELDW was launched in 2007 and is an annual week-long event during which local and regional authorities organise a range of different activities in order to promote local democracy.

In 2011, more than 302 local authorities from 26 countries organised events in the framework of the ELDW, representing a total of 32 246 000 citizens.

For more information or to become a partner, please visit the ELDW website.