Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
European section of United Cities and Local Governments


Home / News / In-depth news / Conference on Citizenship
next > < previous

Governance and citizenship

Conference on Citizenship - 16.12.2014

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing calls upon local government to be mobilised
The European Conference on Citizenship and Twinning kicked off in Rome, on 15 December 2014, with close to 300 participants from more than 30 countries, including representatives from municipalities and regions, European institutions, the Italian national government, the civil society and.experts in citizenship and town twinning.

In a message addressed to local and regional elected representatives, Former President of France, former President of the Convention on the future of Europe and President emeritus of CEMR, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, said: there is a yawning gap between citizens and Europe and member states seem to only to take into account their short term national interests. More than ever, CEMR, its member associations and local and regional governments must provide constant support in the debate in favour of an ambitious and efficient Europe that is close to the citizens.

During the Congress opening, participants discussed local governments' role in integrating all citizens in a community's public life, CEMR executive president, Anders Knape, stressing the importance of such event, an opportunity to celebrate local democracy and citizenship throughout Europe. This was also underlined by AICCRE president, Michele Picciano: the objective of this conference is to pave the way to a strengthened democracy in Europe. It allows us to improve the sense of belonging to a common history and a common European citizenship.

A representative of the European Commission, Floriana Sipala, was also invited to briefly present the Europe for citizens programme, a tool for local and regional governments having a real impact on the ground.

These welcoming words and keynote addresses were followed with a debate on citizen participation. The president of the European Civic Forum, Jean-Marc Roirant, pointed out that strong associations and strong civil society organisations are testimonies to the democratic vitality and plurality on the ground. Other speakers included, vice-president of AICCRE, Carla Rey; director of Debating Europe, Adam Nyman; Local Government and Decentralisation Unit, UN-HABITAT, Diana Lopez Caramazana; and deputy mayor of Molenbeek (Belgium), in charge of housing, Karim Majoros.

The Conference is organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), in partnership with its Italian association (AICCRE), and with the financial support of the European Commission.
Développez vos ventes : conseil marketing Organisation - Audit, conseil, coaching, formation référencement sur Google de site Internet - Audit, conseil, coaching, formation Référencement naturel sur Google, SEO