9th Council of Europe Conference on the European Landscape Convention - Strasbourg 23-24 March 2017
Democracy is losing its reference status
In many Member states of the Council of Europe, representative democracy is undermined, paradoxically weakened, during the electoral process which should, on the contrary, strengthen it. From day to day, democracy seems to lose its reference status, its stabilizing power, remarked Anne-Marie CHAVANON, President of the Committee, during her intervention during the opening session of the 9th Conference of the European Landscape Convention of the Council of Europe 'Europe.
Believing that the responsibility of the Council of Europe is heightened, she reminded the Assembly of the work of the various pillars of the Organization: the annual organization of the World Democracy Forum, the adoption of the Code of Civil Society Participation in Decision-making by the Conference of INGOs in 2009, the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government for the Participation of Citizens in Local Government Affairs, supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on the same year, the adoption of a declaration by the CEMAT (European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning), on 17 June 2014, in Nafplion (Greece), on the promotion of democracy in territorial planning. She highlighted the current mandate of the Committee of Ministers to the CDDG (Steering Committee for Democracy and Governance) for the elaboration of Guidelines for the Participation of Citizens in Political Decision-making.
We all know, continued Anne-Marie CHAVANON, that territory is a privileged entry into democratic practice and reality. It is so in its material and immaterial dimension. It is so because it represents for each of us a vital public good. We all know that the active participation of the public in the design and implementation of landscape policies, as defined by the European Landscape Convention, is a key factor in safeguarding human rights and respect for democracy!
In many Member states of the Council of Europe, representative democracy is undermined, paradoxically weakened, during the electoral process which should, on the contrary, strengthen it. From day to day, democracy seems to lose its reference status, its stabilizing power, remarked Anne-Marie CHAVANON, President of the Committee, during her intervention during the opening session of the 9th Conference of the European Landscape Convention of the Council of Europe 'Europe.
Believing that the responsibility of the Council of Europe is heightened, she reminded the Assembly of the work of the various pillars of the Organization: the annual organization of the World Democracy Forum, the adoption of the Code of Civil Society Participation in Decision-making by the Conference of INGOs in 2009, the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government for the Participation of Citizens in Local Government Affairs, supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on the same year, the adoption of a declaration by the CEMAT (European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning), on 17 June 2014, in Nafplion (Greece), on the promotion of democracy in territorial planning. She highlighted the current mandate of the Committee of Ministers to the CDDG (Steering Committee for Democracy and Governance) for the elaboration of Guidelines for the Participation of Citizens in Political Decision-making.
We all know, continued Anne-Marie CHAVANON, that territory is a privileged entry into democratic practice and reality. It is so in its material and immaterial dimension. It is so because it represents for each of us a vital public good. We all know that the active participation of the public in the design and implementation of landscape policies, as defined by the European Landscape Convention, is a key factor in safeguarding human rights and respect for democracy!
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