Confronting the Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century
Second World Assembly
November 12-15, 2000
São Paulo, Brazil
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Fernando Henrique Cardoso
President of Brazil
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Building a Global Network on Local Government
Organizers:
Institute of Social Sciences (India)
Celina Souza (Brazil)
University of Bahia
Rapporteur:
Celina Souza (Brazil)
University of Bahia
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Moderator:
George Mathew (India)
Institute of Social Sciences
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Nine countries were represented at this workshop: South Africa, Peru, Brazil, Russia, India, Sri-Lanka, Yemen, and Bahrain. The discussion followed upon an earlier topical workshop on "Strengthening Democracy at the Grassroots: Local Government and Civil Society."
Recommendations:
The participants committed themselves to creating a Global Network on Local Government in the form of an umbrella organization, as follows:
- The network should include elected officials, such as mayors and city councilors; researchers and research institutions; concerned citizens; experts and specialists in the field; and NGOs working with local bodies. Efforts should also be made to include several existing networks.
- To join the network, an individual or organization should be engaged in one or more of the following areas of work:
- democracy
- gender equality
- inclusion of excluded communities
- transparent governance
- citizen empowerment
- local self-government
- The network should feature:
- a database and clearinghouse of information, innovative programs, and events
- a professional center
- a program to bring together policy makers
- an exchange visitor program
- a program of meetings and conferences at the international, regional, national, and local levels.
- The language of the network should be English.
- A special fund and an international committee should be established to support and guide the network.
- A publication, translated into several important languages, should be initiated to disseminate network information.
The Institute of Social Sciences, based in India, agreed to be the body in charge of coordination.
Recommendation to the World Movement for Democracy:
- The World Movement should help facilitate the creation of the network.
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