"The issue of combating climate change, like most of the current challenges, has an important local and regional dimension," recalled Xavier Cadoret, Vice-President of the Congress, at the round table on "The State of Local and Regional Democracy in Europe", organised in Brussels, on 27 June 2019, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions and the Congress.
"In many recent crises, cities and regions are seen to play the role of "first aid" because they are in the front line, on the ground," he added, stressing that while "decisions and strategies are adopted at the national level, it is the responsibility of communities to ensure their concrete implementation.”
The Vice-President of the Congress stressed the many other challenges facing European local and regional authorities, which call for a "local response" such as the fight against radicalisation or the management of migration flows... all of which underline the need to provide cities and regions with adequate competences and financial resources.
Welcoming the progress made over the past 25 years, Xavier CADORET presented several recent Congress initiatives aimed at supporting the development of solutions to engage all citizens, including women, youth and migrants: the Toolkit for local and regional elected representatives on the organisation of intercultural and interreligious activities, the European Week of Local Democracy, the European Alliance of Cities against Violent Extremism, the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Integration of Roma and Travellers, and the Pact of Cities and Regions to stop Sexual Violence against Children.
- See also the news: Brussels: The European Committee of the Regions and the Council of Europe’s Congress celebrate their 25th anniversary in Brussels, on 27 June
- Speech (in French)
- Webpage of the event
Committee of the Regions photos
