Thematic Round Tables and Parallel Sessions
Members of the panel confirmed the
central idea that decentralization is a necessary condition for good local governance.
way to allow the city to have the necessary capacities to run public services effectively.
of participatory budget processes and participative democracy.
Members of the panel submitted various recommendations to UCLG.
The Mayor of Bethlehem reinforced the idea of gender equality, both as an end in itself, and as a means and instrument to promote local democracy and local governance that should be encouraged at all levels.
Firstly, participants highlighted the need to take into account new local demands in North Africa as expressed by the social movements. These demands spread beyond North Africa to the Middle-East, Latin America and Asia. The Mayors of Porto Alegre and Tunis reaffirmed the need to develop consultation processes and instruments for local populations, in particular through the implementation
Lastly, the President of Plaine-Commune underlined the necessity to better coordinate civil society and local elected representatives through mechanisms that encourage the creation of communities like Nouakchott, Tunis or Porto Alegre to be closer to the expectations of citizens.
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