Conference: Democracy and local governments in transformation
Date/Time
November 20, 2024
09:30 - 16:00 CEST/CET
DATE: 20 November 2024, 9.30-16.00 CET
PLACE: Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe,
(Hahngasse 6/Mezzanin/17, 1090 Vienna)
A strong democracy is built on the participation of citizens, for example, on the local government level. In Poland, just like in other countries in central and eastern Europe, establishing or rebuilding local self-government only became possible after the fall of the centralized communist system in 1989. This allowed citizens to participate in making decisions about their local regions, districts, and communities. The establishment of local government structures encountered several challenges. One issue was ensuring that local government levels had sufficient revenue sources to operate effectively and carry out their responsibilities. Central authorities were also tempted to exert varying degrees of control over regional activities. Despite these obstacles, local government has become one of the cornerstones of diversity, civic education, transparency, and social engagement over the past 30 years. Many researchers, experts, and politicians view self-government as essential to democracy. Local government, recognized as a platform for democracy, is gaining importance within the framework of the deliberative and participatory turn that has been taking place in democratic theory for some time now.
The primary aim of the conference is to facilitate the exchange of experiences, address challenges, showcase best practices, and formulate recommendations for the further advancement and empowerment of local and supralocal self-governments. The gathering will bring together representatives of local self-governments, along with academics and experts in political science, law, and sociology, to deliberate on the following topics:
- Evolution of local self-government over time,
- The significance of local government for representative, deliberative, or participatory democracy. Can local government be regarded as the saviour of a unified Europe?
- Emerging forms of local democracy and their impact,
- Present-day challenges confronting local self-government, especially those related to climate, social, political, and economic changes.
- Conflict at the borders and the role of local government in neighbouring countries and its responsibilities.
CONFERENCE PLAN | 20.11.2024 (Wednesday) |
09:30 – 10:00 | OPENING REMARKS |
10:00 – 11:30 | PANEL 1 |
11:30 – 12:00 | COFFEE BREAK |
12:00 – 13:30 | PANEL 2 |
13:30 – 14:00 | COFFEE BREAK |
14:00 – 15:30 | PANEL 3 |
15:30 – 16:00 | CLOSING REMARKS |
PANEL 1 – Democracy and self-government – theory and practice
(Moderation: Marcin Kaim – Polish Academy of Sciences – Centre in Vienna)
- Jerzy Stępień (Jerzy Regulski Foundation in Support of Local Democracy)
- Irena Lipowicz (Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw)
- Elisabeth Donat (The University for Continuing Education Krems)
- Vratislav Havlík (Masaryk University)
PANEL 2 – Local government reforms in Europe – achievements and experiences (1)
(Moderation: Malwina Talik – Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe)
- Gábor Péteri
- Iryna Kuian (The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine)
- Daniel Klimovský (Comenius University Bratislava)
PANEL 3 – Local government reforms in Europe – achievements and experiences (2)
(Moderation: Sophia Beiter – Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe)
- Cezary Trutkowski (Jerzy Regulski Foundation in Support of Local Democracy)
- Radosław Mędrzycki and Mariusz Szyrski (Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw)
- Thomas Prorok (Centre of Public Administration Research)
LIVE STREAM of the conference – please follow this link.
REGISTRATION – Please register unter the following link.
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