The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will contribute to the Council of Europe Days, aimed at raising awareness of the work and added value of the Organisation across its 46 member states, through local events. The Congress will use its key strength: its members.
”From now on, when we will be invited by our members to have meetings in their cities, we will ask them to organize “citizens forums” in order to gather local politicians but also local residents, youth students, associations. Together with our host, we will share stories with them on how the Congress and Council of Europe transform lives”, explained Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
The Congress will also use the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) to promote the initiative. Participants of the ELDW are encouraged to organise events during the whole year, culminating in a flagship event in the week of 15 October.
”From now on, to become partner of the ELDW you will have to develop activities to share the good stories of the Council of Europe with your local population. Messages about the Council of Europe work and success stories conveyed by local and regional leaders will be shared with citizens more easily, said Mathieu Mori.
The Congress will also involve youth delegates in this initiative. They will receive training in presenting the work of the Council of Europe and will be asked to organize meetings with their peers in their universities, cities or villages.
”We trust we can bring the Council of Europe story, not only in capital cities but in the diversity of our communities. An inspiring challenge”, concluded the Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
