Congress President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström took part in a seminar organised by the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE), on 24 July 2017, in Oviedo, Spain, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the founding of CALRE in 1997. Addressing the presidents of regional parliaments from Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Austria on “Ideas for Europe”, she stressed the importance, for the future of Europe, of decentralisation and citizen’s involvement as the latest report on the State of Democracy, Human rights and the Rule of Law, presented by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland earlier this year, clearly identified. “Decentralisation and dialogue on regional devolution are an essential component of a balanced distribution of powers and therefore enhanced democratic security” she underlined, stating that the most important thing was to build ”an inclusive Europe not only for member countries but first and foremost for European citizens that are at the heart of public policies”. “Regions, as well as local authorities, are taking on the responsibilities for competences that have been traditionally seen as the prerogative of national governments – in the areas of democratic governance, the rule of law and delivery of human rights,” the Congress President added presenting the work of the Congress, and, in particular, its recently adopted Human Rights Action Plan as well as the Human Rights Manual for local and regional authorities which was in the pipeline. “Public action without engaging citizens is futile”, she concluded.
Speech
Photos
Parliament of the Principality of Asturias
Video of the speech (begins at 1:31:00)
CALRE website