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Political Debate:
SHAPING EUROPE'S
POLITICAL FUTURE
In presenting the Convention on the Future of Europe with a
list of major political questions, the Laeken European Council
raised the issue of the government of Europe and opened the
way for a Constitutive Treaty for the European Union.
The CEMR is honoured that the work of the Convention is driven
by its President, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Leading political
personalities, from the member States and the applicant countries,
will play an active part in the work of the Convention, which
should have completed its work in the weeks leading up to the
Poznan General Assembly.
The CEMR will endeavour to make heard, throughout this process,
the voice of local and regional authorities which themselves
represent the sphere of government closest to the citizens.
Those present in Poznan will be able to evaluate the
results achieved, and notably for the local and regional elected
representatives to check if their message was heard, in particular
concerning the following questions:
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what role for citizens in
the new make up of Europe? |
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what role for local and regional
authorities in the new distribution of the Union's competences
which should be more transparent and more efficient? |
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what guarantees for the respect
of competences and subsidiarity? |
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what simplification of legislation
and the implementation of European legislation? |
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what values to include in
the future European Constitution? |
This major political debate, chaired notably by President Giscard
d'Estaing, will constitute a key moment during the General Assembly. |
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The Cohesion
Policy: support
to disadvantaged areas
- local and regional government
as a force for development |
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main goal - compensate structural
inequalities between areas, including urban / rural; |
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the downfall of traditional
industries and structural unemployment; |
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social and educational inequalities; |
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the role of local actors in
bringing out the region's inner potential; |
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the mobility and creativity
of local and regional forces in reaching economic and
social goals of Europe's cohesion policy; |
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the principle of partnership
and negotiated goals in public-private partnerships and
a high level of NGO participation. |
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Long-term
Economic Growth,
Social Cohesion and Environmental
Protection in Europe's Strategy
for Sustainable Development |
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how can Local and Regional
authorities help to create new job opportunities? |
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what initiatives can Local
and Regional authorities take to achieve successful social
inclusion? |
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how best can Local and Regional
authorities promote sustainability? Is there a conflict
between environmental protection and economic development? |
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are there good examples of
successful partnerships with National Governments for
sustainable development? |
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Quality
in Education
as the basic local government
responsibility
in the 21st century |
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the ongoing demand for better
education standards; and strategies for dealing with educational
failures; |
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education as the basis of
individual and national success or downfall; |
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lifelong education and training
- a growing role for Local and Regional authorities; |
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more ways to foster cross-boundary
co-operation and training for young people; |
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more ways to combat youth
unemployment; |
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how can we successfully reach
out to ethnic minorities and provide them with good quality
education? |
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Migration,
Asylum,
Integration |
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a new dimension for European
co-ordination and action; |
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how do Local and Regional
Authorities around Europe develop strategies to integrate
migrant populations; |
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exchange of good practices
and experiences of Local and Regional Authorities dealing
with migration and asylum issues. |
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