ELDW

2009. 09. 21. 0:00:00

Local democracy from the point of local elected representatives and leaders and citizens will be looked at closely during European Local Democracy Week (ELDW).
The European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) is an annual event with activities organised on a national and local level by participating local authorities in all Council of Europe member states.

According to the Council of Europe the purpose of of the ELDW is to foster the knowledge of local democracy and promote the idea of democratic participation at a local level.

Municipalities are also being encouraged during ELDW to develop activities which look at how to respond to global challenges at the local level.
Keith Whitmore, Political Coordinator of the ELDW said in a letter to municipalities and regions: "We need fresh ideas to better manage issues such as labour policy, migration, political participation, environmental problems or new technologies at a local level. I firmly believe that the European Local Democracy Week should become a consistent event on the European landscape where key topics in the field of grassroots democracy should be tackled."

According to the Council of Europe, the ELDW will provide local elected representatives and leaders with the opportunity:

to inform citizens on how local authorities operate and what their competences are;
to have direct and close contact with citizens so as to increase their confidence in local elected representatives and leaders;
to promote the work of the communities and local elected representatives;
to bring local governments closer to citizens;
to listen to citizens and discuss with them subjects of local interest so as to have a better understanding of their needs to provide a better service;
to convey a message of mutual responsibility;
to inform citizens of the various opportunities for participating in and contributing to local democratic life;
to encourage participation of all citizens in the community;
to stimulate local life generally.

It will provide citizens with the opportunity:

to find out about competences and how the local democratic institutions managing their lives on a daily basis operate;
to get to know their local councillors and learn about their responsibilities;
to ask local councillors and leaders questions;
to be listened to and to air their views on the political and technical questions that concern them;
to find out about the various opportunities available for taking part in democratic life and the decision-making processes at local level;
to get involved in the life of the local community.

It will allow the Council of Europe: