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 As
many will already know, I will leave my post as
Director on 1 July 2012. The programmes
and projects of the Directorate that can be found in
more detail on this site remain strong and will
continue to be managed by highly experienced staff
with the support of many external consultants and
experts. Collectively, the work makes a vital
contribution to this Organisation’s role in
protecting and developing democratic processes
across European states, in many domains, fields and
sectors. More emphasis is being placed on encouraging
widespread public participation, the promotion of
the value of diversity and the integration of work
on policy development and technical assistance
activities.
The Council of Europe continues its overall reform
with a re-focusing of priorities based on a clearer
strategic approach in order to enhance the impact of
its work on the ground. Some of this work is highly
visible and easy to understand; other parts may be
less visible in terms of short-term results, but
nevertheless of great importance in facing the major
current longer-term challenges of European
societies.
After I leave the Council of Europe, continuity of
our work programmes will be ensured by the Director
General for Democracy, Mrs. Snežana
Samardžić-Marković , and an interim Director, Mr.
Jeroen Schokkenbroek. The Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity has important responsibilities in managing many of the Organisation’s programmes and activities linked to democratic governance and promoting sustainable democratic societies.
Details of all programmes and activities of the new Directorate are available on
several different websites:
www.coe.int/culture
www.coe.int/localdemocracy
www.coe.int/ngo
May I take this opportunity to thank all those
people who have been contributing so actively and
creatively to the Directorate’s activities over the
years.
Robert Palmer
Director of Democratic Governance, Culture and
Diversity
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+33 388 41 21 49