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The President of the Council of Europe Congress meets with the Greek authorities
Whilst in Athens for the 2022 Summit of Mayors against Antisemitism the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, conducted a series of meetings with the Greek authorities. The President met with Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Deputy...
2022 Mayors Summit against Antisemitism: “Mayors have a particular role in creating inclusive societies”, says Congress President Verbeek
Creating inclusive societies takes work and commitment from all levels of government and civil society. However, as Europe’s cities become increasingly diverse places, there is a particularly special role for local authorities, stated Congress President, Leendert Verbeek, at the 2022 Mayors...
Europe needs more solidarity to help subnational governments face a 'perfect storm'
War, the pandemic, the climate crisis, and economic and financial crises are undermining local self-government across Europe The Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions and of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe have warned that local and regional...
Congress members engage with local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina on transparent and accountable public procurement
On 22 and 24 November 2022, local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina met to discuss the new legislative environment in the area of public procurement , during a two-part online event on “Transparent and accountable public procurement: legislation, trends and good practices“. “Transparent and...
Annika Vaikla: “Local and regional authorities are the first line of defence against human trafficking”
“Cooperation across all levels of government is vital in ensuring a comprehensive approach to trafficking,” stressed Congress rapporteur on women and child refugees Annika Vaikla (Estonia, ILDG), during the 31st Meeting of the Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention in Action...
“There is no place for violence against women in democratic cities and regions”, says Council of Europe Congress Spokesperson on Gender Equality
On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, held every year on 25 November, the spokesperson for the Council of Europe Congress on Gender Equality, Ms Eirini Dourou (SOC, Greece), made the following statement: “Inclusive societies start with inclusivity at...
World for Ukraine Summit: developing partnerships between Ukrainian and European cities
The World for Ukraine Summit will be held in Rzeszow, Poland, from 7 to 9 December 2022, under the patronage of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and with the participation of the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Leendert Verbeek....
Local elections in Slovenia: Congress delegation welcomes an orderly ballot, but calls for more coherent regulations and a reduction of consecutive terms of office for mayors
A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, made up of 18 participants, carried out an observation mission of the local elections held on 20 November 2022 in Slovenia. The observers were deployed to different regions of the country, in order to...
“Regional assemblies must take the lead in responding to today’s crises in their regions”, says Harald Sonderegger at CALRE Plenary Assembly
“The Congress and the CALRE share a long-standing relationship and co-operation with many areas of common interest,” stated President of the Congress Chamber of Regions Harald Sonderegger (Austria, EPP/CCE), at the Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Regional Legislative Assemblies of Europe...
“Hate speech and fake news damage the very fabric and processes of local and regional democracy”, says Wilma Delissen Van Tongerlo
The Congress rapporteur on hate speech and fake news Wilma Delissen Van Tongerlo, Netherlands (L, ILDG) spoke at the 19th European Conference of Electoral Management Bodies, organised by the Venice Commission, on the topic “Artificial Intelligence and Electoral Integrity” on 15 November 2022 in...
Youth delegates: Call for applications to participate in the 2023 edition of the "Rejuvenating Politics" initiative
As part of its "Rejuvenating Politics" initiative, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is calling for applications from young people from Council of Europe member States, aged between 18 to 30. One young person from each of the 46 member States of the Council...
Transatlantic Mayoral Dialogue: Congress President calls for strengthened dialogue between citizens, civil society and territorial governments to combat hatred and intolerance
“At the Congress, we are absolutely convinced that inclusive societies, with no place for hate or intolerance, are a must if we want to strengthen local democracy and rebuild citizens’ trust at all levels”, stated Congress President Leendert Verbeek, at the Transatlantic Mayoral Dialogue on...
Council of Europe Congress observed local elections in Slovenia
A 13 member-delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe carried out a mission from 18 to 21 November and observed the local elections on 20 November. On Election Day, eight Congress teams were deployed in the capital Ljubljana and other municipalities...
“It is our responsibility to build strong, resilient communities where hatred or intolerance cannot find root” says Thomas Andersson at the 4th European Policy Dialogue Forum
“We are at a crossroad when it comes to the polarisation in our society, and cities and regions will be key in making sure we take the right path”, warned Thomas Andersson, Chair of the Current Affairs Committee (Sweden, ILDG), at the 4th European Policy Dialogue Forum, under the theme ‘Social...
Call for applications: Congress is looking for a trainer for youth delegates in 2023
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is looking for a trainer, capable of mentoring the youth delegates who take part in the work of the Congress within the framework of the “Rejuvenating Politics” initiative. The tasks of the trainer consist in participating in...
New publications: Vol. 3 of the Human Rights Handbook "Environment" | "Democratic Elections" Series
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has just released two new publications. The third volume of the Human Rights Handbook is dedicated to the environment and sustainable development. It presents the international legal framework for human rights and environmental protection, explains...
World Forum for Democracy 2022: Tackling polarisation, a key challenge for local and regional democracy
As its contribution to the 10th World Forum for Democracy, held in Strasbourg from 7 to 9 November 2022 under the theme "Democracy: a new hope?", the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities – the body in charge of strengthening local and regional democracy in the 46 member States of the...
"Only by building local self-reliance can we increase resilience and inclusiveness at the local level”, says Xavier Cadoret at ARLEM plenary session
“We at the Congress are convinced that it is essential to build resilience and inclusiveness in a sustainable way. In order to achieve this goal, local authorities must be equipped with the relevant competences, adequate finances to fulfil their tasks and the necessary autonomy in...
2022 World Forum for Democracy: Congress sponsors Lab7 on polarization and democratic engagement
The 10th Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy took place from 7 to 9 November 2022 in Strasbourg, France, under the theme "Democracy: a new hope?". It brought together intellectuals, politicians, activists, experts and young people from all over the world to discuss the causes of the...
Call for proposals for a deliberative process at the local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is launching a call to co-fund a local project/action aimed at enhancing citizen participation and fostering innovative co-creation in local decision-making through the organisation of a tailored deliberative process in a...
