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Local Democracy - 02.08.2011

Municipalities and regions of Europe: become a partner of the European Local Democracy Week!

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) encourages local and regional authorities to become a partner of the 2011 edition of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), to take place from 10 to 16 October 2011.

This year's theme will be 'human rights at the local level", as a number of social and civic rights and freedoms are implemented at local level, including equal access to public services and the protection of disadvantaged people, of elderly people and of minorities.

The ELDW 2011 will thus aim at promoting more cohesive cities and towns and at preventing and combating intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion.

Launched in 2007, the ELDW is an annual week-long European event during which local and regional authorities organise national and local activities, public debates, exhibitions and competitions in order to promote local democracy.

The week takes place each year around 15 October as a tribute to the Council of Europe's European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was launched on that same date in 1985. The Charter was inspired by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)'s European Charter of Local Liberties, which was opened for signature in 1953.

More generally speaking, the ELDW provides a great opportunity for local councillors, civil servants and citizens in the Council of Europe's 47 member countries to raise their awareness of democratic participation at the local level and to enhance dialogue.

In 2010, more than 115 local authorities from 24 countries organised events in the framework of the ELDW, representing a total of 23 700 000 citizens.

For more information or to become a partner, please visit the ELDW website.