AER-UNDP conference: European regions and African territories strengthen co-operation on climate change

31 March, 2009 By Editor

Limoges, Limousin (F), 31 March 2009. Decentralising and strengthening co-operation between the European regions and African territories can play a vital role in tackling climate change, a conference organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) heard today. Hosted in Limoges by the AER member region Limousin (F), … [Read more...]

AER-UNDP Limoges Declaration

30 March, 2009 By Editor

This declaration has been drafted in March 2009 at the end of a joint AER-UNDP conference hosted in Limoges and bringing European regional politicians together with their regional and state-level counterparts from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Morocco and Cameroon, along with civil society representatives, experts and academics from across Europe and Africa and state-level … [Read more...]

AER Katowice Declaration on Financing Regional Healthcare

20 March, 2009 By Editor

The AER member regions met in Katowice in order to tackle the crucial issue of financing regional healthcare, agreeing on the importance of using new technologies for the benefit of health. According to the final Declaration of this event, regions should now agree to major initial investments and regular adjustments to budgets, together with the more than ever necessary … [Read more...]

AER commits to improving healthcare systems and calls upon other levels of government to follow suit

20 March, 2009 By Editor

Katovice, Slaskie (PL), 20 March 2009. “Despite the crisis, or maybe because of it, regional politicians must take responsibility and see to it that healthcare services are available for all citizens both horizontal and vertical” said Christina Wahrolin, County Councillor of Värmland (S) and Acting President of the Committee on Social Policy and Public Health of the Assembly … [Read more...]

Building trust in the European institutions starts with the regions

19 March, 2009 By Editor

Brussels (B), 19 March 2009. A recent Eurobarometer survey suggesting that regional and local authorities are the most trustworthy levels of governance provided a timely framework to an Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) atelier that concluded today at the Baden-Württemberg representation office in Brussels. How can the European institutions inspire trust among citizens? … [Read more...]

International Women’s Day: AER to fight violence against women more than ever

16 March, 2009 By Editor

Strasbourg (F), 16 march 2009 Against the backdrop of International Women's Day (March 8), the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and its President, Michèle Sabban, participated in several initiatives in Lyon, Orleans and Paris, thus reasserting AER’s commitment in tackling gender equality issues. Within AER, these issues are championed by the AER Observatory on Gender issues, … [Read more...]

Thematic dossier n°20 on Sustainable tourism – Spring 2009

8 March, 2009 By Editor

Sustainable tourism Table of contents: Editorial: Michèle Sabban, President Europe tops holiday charts: tourism must be sustainable if it is to continue to benefit our regions Making tourism sustainable: ensuring tourism boosts regional economies without shortchanging the planet Interview: Eszter Balázsy, head of the international affairs unit for the … [Read more...]

AER responds to EC’s Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion

25 February, 2009 By Editor

With the October 2008 publication of its Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion, the European Commission opened a debate on territorial cohesion in search of a better understanding of the issue and its implications for EU policy. The Assembly of European Regions (AER), the largest organisation of regions in wider Europe, submitted today an official response to the paper that … [Read more...]

AER launches its Most Innovative European Region Award for 2009

17 February, 2009 By Editor

Strasbourg (F), 17th February 2009. In this, the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) is once again inviting Europe’s most innovative regions to compete for AER’s Innovation Award. At AER’s General Assembly last November, the 2008 award was presented to the Dutch province of Noord-Braband. Onno Hoes, Regional Minister, said: "I am … [Read more...]

AER President Sabban: “President Barroso continues to support the European regions”

20 January, 2009 By Editor

Brussels, 20 January 2009 Europe’s economic recovery package and the future of territorial cohesion policy were among the key issues raised today by the President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), Michele Sabban, during a working lunch hosted by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. “AER regrets that the regions have not been consulted as real partners … [Read more...]

2008 Activity Report

2 January, 2009 By Editor

"Without a doubt, 2008 has been a big year for AER. Our membership increased this year to 270 regions and 16 interregional associations, consolidating our place as the largest and most important network of regions in Europe, and perhaps the world", Michèle Sabban, AER President. (Use Pop out button to Download/Open) … [Read more...]

Thematic dossier n°19 on Climate change – Winter 2008

8 December, 2008 By Editor

Climate change Table of contents: Editorial: Håkan Sandgren, President of AER’s ‘Economy and Regional Development’ Committee, County Councillor, Jönköping (S) A climate package for Europe Thinking in tandem: AER's climate change working group Interview: Annemarie Moons, regional minister for Noord-Brabant (NL) and coordinator of the AER working group on climate … [Read more...]

Young teams from across Europe gather in Brussels to “speak European”

3 December, 2008 By Editor

The “Do you speak European?” grand final featured competitors from Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom Brussels (B), 3 December 2008 “Being involved in this unique event makes me realize that I’m part of the wider European family”, said Georgiana Cosoveanu from the Dolj team of … [Read more...]

Michèle Sabban, AER President: “Young people and AER, together to build tomorrow’s Europe!”

27 November, 2008 By Editor

Paris, Ile-de-France (F), 27 November 2008. Michèle Sabban, Assembly of European Regions (AER) President and vice-President of Ile-de-France region (F), said about the new founded “Youth Regional Network”: “I would like to congratulate this pioneer initiative, AER involves even further young people in European politics and in the future of Europe. I would like … [Read more...]

Launch of the European Platform of regional and local actors for development cooperation