<font color='#55563B' size='2'>President Whitmore opened the 22nd Session of the Congress</font>
President Whitmore opened the 22nd Session of the Congress
[20/03/2012]
After marking a minute of silence to remember the four victims of the shooting in Toulouse (France), President Whitmore opened the 22nd Session of the Congress recalling the achievements which have been reached since the last Session. In particular, he referred to the Congress’ reform process - which includes the extension of mandates to four years and the application of the 30% minimum requirement for the representation of women in national delegations - and the Chaves Report, which calls for closer co-operation between the Congress and the Committee of Ministers. Speaking about future challenges, Mr. Whitmore highlighted the post-monitoring and post-election observation stage of assistance in member states, the follow-up to the Summit of Mayors on Roma and common activities with Southern Mediterranean states. Mr. Whitmore mentioned the ongoing financial crisis as a crucial issue being debated at the 22nd Session, a crisis, which local and regional authorities have to deal with by stepping up social support to local populations, against the background of national government attempts at re-centralisation and cuts in budgetary transfers.
Le Président Whitmore ouvre la 22e Session du Congrès
[20/03/2012]
Après une minute de silence en mémoire des quatre victimes de la fusillade de Toulouse (France), le Président Whitmore a ouvert la 22e Session du Congrès en rappelant tout ce qui a été fait depuis la dernière session. Il a mentionné en particulier la réforme du Congrès, qui a porté la durée des mandats à quatre ans et l'application d'un quota minimum de 30% pour la représentation des femmes dans les délégations nationales, ainsi que le Rapport Chaves, qui prône une coopération plus étroite entre le Congrès et le Comité des Ministres. S’exprimant au sujet des enjeux futurs, M. Whitmore a évoqué la phase d’assistance post-suivi et post-électorale dans les pays membres, les suites du Sommet des maires sur les Roms et les activités communes avec les pays du sud de la Méditerranée. Parmi les sujets cruciaux à l’ordre du jour de la 22e Session, M. Whitmore a mentionné la crise financière en cours, à laquelle les autorités locales et régionales doivent faire face en renforçant l’aide sociale aux populations locales, alors que les gouvernements nationaux tentent d’effectuer une recentralisation et coupent les transferts budgétaires.
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After marking a minute of silence to remember the four victims of the shooting in Toulouse (France), President Whitmore opened the 22nd Session of the Congress recalling the achievements which have been reached since the last Session. In particular, he referred to the Congress’ reform process - which includes the extension of mandates to four years and the application of the 30% minimum requirement for the representation of women in national delegations - and the Chaves Report, which calls for closer co-operation between the Congress and the Committee of Ministers. Speaking about future challenges, Mr. Whitmore highlighted the post-monitoring and post-election observation stage of assistance in member states, the follow-up to the Summit of Mayors on Roma and common activities with Southern Mediterranean states. Mr. Whitmore mentioned the ongoing financial crisis as a crucial issue being debated at the 22nd Session, a crisis, which local and regional authorities have to deal with by stepping up social support to local populations, against the background of national government attempts at re-centralisation and cuts in budgetary transfers.