“Let’s build a new model of citizen participation”
The need to build a new model of citizen participation and to reinforce local government and democracy in Arab municipalities was underlined at the Euro-Arab Cities Forum,.held in Malaga, Spain, on 24 and 25 February 2011.
Forum participants adopted a final declaration, which notably highlighted their commitment to promote and develop municipal cooperation in issues such as financial instruments and urban management for sustainable development and municipal services.
'As representatives of local authorities, cities and municipalities, we must come up with answers together that will be carried out without violence nor denial", declared Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) at this occasion. 'Only then will we truly express the common expectations for increased local autonomy and decentralisation all the while bringing adapted responses to the aspirations of our people for more participation and a better quality of life."
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Climate, Sustainable Finance Officer
