In these troubled times of crisis, when confidence in public institutions is decreasing and there is a tendency for everyone to focus efforts on their own communities, regions have to be the leaders for change. The end goal of regional authorities must always primarily be to make their territory the best possible place to live for their citizens. To this end, they need to … [Read more...]
This is the tag for all posts relating to decentralisation.
France prepares for new regions
The National Assembly and Senate have adopted the draft bill on the new territorial structure of the country after a first agreement from the Joint Committee on the text on 16 July. This represents the 3rd part of the territorial reform instigated by President Hollande. Decentralisation allows the transfer of administrative competences from the State to local authorities. … [Read more...]
“The future of regionalism is bright”
“Regions, federated states and autonomous communities are above all mainstays of democracy; they strongly support cultural diversity in Europe and they are major partners in socio-economic development”. This message has been AER’s core vision for the last 30 years. It was the basis for its creation in 1985, was manifested in the AER Declaration on Regionalism adopted in 1996, … [Read more...]
“What future for the regions” by Fredrik Söderbaum
What future for the regions? Fredrik Söderbaum Professor of Peace and Development Research, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg E-mail: fredrik.soderbaum@globalstudies.gu.se Thanks to the organizers for inviting me to this exciting event. It is a great privilege to be invited to speak about on my favourite topic. One general conclusion that can be drawn … [Read more...]
AER Political Priorities
Ratified by AER General Assembly 2015 In these troubled times of crisis, when confidence in public institutions is decreasing and there is a tendency for everyone to focus efforts on their own communities, regions have to be the leaders for change. The end goal of regional authorities must always primarily be to make their territory the best possible place to live for their … [Read more...]
Decentralisation policies: Reshuffling the scene
Our expert from the Academic Council of the Assembly of European Regions, Pekka Kettunen, spoke about the decentralisation conference that took place in Croatia. There was an international conference on Decentralization policies: Reshuffling the scene, 7-10 May 2015, in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The conference was organized by the Institute for Public Administration, Croatia, in … [Read more...]
Congress post-monitoring visit to Ukraine
A post-monitoring visit of the Congress of the Council of Europe took place in Kiev on 12 March. AER was represented at the meeting by one expert of its Academic Center, Mr Enrico MARTIAL. Chaired by the vice-minister for Regional Affairs, Mr Vyacheslav NEHODA, with the participation of members of the National Parliament, of representatives from the ministries of Regional … [Read more...]
AER backs the giant steps in EU-Georgia relationship
AER President and acting Secretary General went to Tbilisi (GE) in October. This visit came a few months after the regional elections in Georgia and the historical signature, in June, of an association agreement between EU and Georgia, which deepens political and economic ties in the framework of the Eastern partnership. The timing was perfect to discuss the state of … [Read more...]
Dolnoslaskie Political Statement
AER proposes a new deal to the European Parliament: further subsidiarity for a better Europe, focused on the citizens and closer to their needs Statement adopted at the AER General Assembly in Wroclaw, on 28 May 2014. Rapporteurs: Anna Magyar (Csongrad-HU), Jean-Luc Vanraes (Bruxelles-Capitale-BE), Rodrigo Oliveira ( Açores-PT) and Johan Edstav (Uppsala-SE) Wroclaw, … [Read more...]
AER’s undertaken action with the French Ministry of Decentralisation, State Reform and Public Service
In the framework of the debate that has been relaunched on 8 April by the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls regarding the government’s ambition to restructure the French territorial organisation, AER has undertaken an action with the Ministry of Decentralisation. Having a great experience in regional matters thanks to its Observatory on Regionalism, AER has offered to Mrs … [Read more...]
Regions and business vouch for an effective economic subsidiarity
The Assembly of European Regions, a key partner for the European Business Summit 2014 Brussels (BE), 15 May 2014 Since 2013, the focus of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) has shifted with the ambition of creating stronger links between the business sector and regions throughout Europe. It was therefore a natural progression that AER became an official partner of the … [Read more...]
AER hand in hand with its Ukrainian members and their citizens
Ukraine (UA), 25 April 2014 The Assembly of European Regions (AER) follows with deep concern and sorrow the developments taking place in Ukraine. What is happening there will have an impact on the future of Europe and beyond. This is the reason why DR Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER President, visited Ukraine these past days, accompanied by the Secretary General Mr Pascal Goergen. … [Read more...]
Regions daring to succeed through entrepreneurship
“First time you fail, second time you win”* Edirne (TR), 3 April 2014 “With the focus shifting from the crisis to recovery, regions are more than ever catalysts for innovation and growth. We believe that it is necessary to continue engaging European Institutions and stakeholders in the need for further support to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs generate 4 million new jobs … [Read more...]
The Congress of the Council of Europe and AER increase their cooperation
First concrete outcome: putting citizens at the heart of the declaration on Ukraine Strasbourg (FR), 26 March 2014 Congress President Herwig Van Staa and Assembly of European Regions’ President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli signed yesterday a cooperation agreement. “I am convinced that a sound cooperation between AER and the Congress of the Council of Europe will bring a crucial … [Read more...]
Launch of the AER Academic and Training Centre: a brand new approach to decentralisation
Zadar (HR), 20 February 2014 The Bureau members of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) symbolically chose the region of Zadar, Croatia, to hold their first meeting of the year, a few months after Croatia’s accession to the European Union. Among the priorities decided for the future, they announced the launch of a study about the role of the regions in 2014. As the new … [Read more...]