Dialogue between local authorities and civil society
Setting up consultative and participatory processes for public policy management is one of the factors that contribute to consolidate local democracy.
Recent events on the three shores of the Mediterranean remind us of the need to maintain a permanent link between elected officials and citizens, and more in general, of renewing public debate and adapting to the population’s demands in terms of transparency, dialogue and local democracy. Giving substance to this public debate is indeed a local challenge, but it is also of Mediterranean scope. That is why, on the occasion of the 3rd Forum of Local and Regional Authorities, the Mediterranean Commission organised a debate between local officials and youth representatives of civil society invited by the Anna Lindh Foundation. 70 young Mediterraneans of 15 different nationalities discussed with elected officials their respective expectations for the future.
This first initiative is part of the efforts of the Mediterranean Commission to regularly provide opportunities that bring together elected officials and citizens and to contribute to support participatory governance at Mediterranean scale. Moreover, the Commission wishes to assist local officials in setting up or strengthening a permanent and constructive dialogue at local level for conducting policies together with civil society. To do so, the first step is to take stock of existing practices and structures at local level that enable this dialogue. This first stage will not only highlight current initiatives but will also provide examples that could inspire Mediterranean elected officials and local technical staff.
A first survey was carried out with the Anna Lindh Foundation within the framework of its DAWRAK programme using a questionnaire addressed to a group of local governments in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries. The first results of the survey show the main ways to establish the dialogue between local officials and civil society and point to the role of cooperation as a catalyst for existing initiatives.
