Assembly of the Regions of Europe

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Logo of the Assembly of European Regions

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is the largest independent network of regions across Europe . With more than 270 regions from 33 countries and 16 interregional organizations, it is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional cooperation .

On June 15, 1985 47 regions and 9 interregional organizations founded the Council of European Regions (Council of the Regions of Europe - CRE) in Louvain-la-Neuve (Walloon Brabant). Edgar Faure became the first president , and Georges Pierret became the first general secretary . At the second General Assembly of the Regions of Europe in Brussels in November 1987 the association was given its current name.

According to the statutes, the word “region” refers to a territorial authority that operates at a level below national government with its own political representatives in the form of an elected regional assembly.

Priorities for 2007–2012

  • Promote the modernization and internationalization of regional governments
  • Promote innovation, growth and jobs in Europe's regions
  • Face the challenges of demographic change, migration, health and social segregation
  • Ensure sustainable development and combat environmental degradation
  • Developing democracy through diversity and promoting diversity in cultures, media and education
  • Create a safe environment for the population

Organizational management

General meeting

Political representatives of the member regions meet annually at the general assembly. There it is decided which political strategy the AER is pursuing, the budget is chosen, the establishment of committees and specific topics are decided, the acceptance of the members is confirmed etc. The general assembly also elects the president, the board of directors and the general secretary.

Board

The board of directors makes all decisions that are necessary for the smooth handling of matters between the general meetings and coordinates the work of the various commissions. The board members are proposed by the member regions and elected by the general assembly for a term of two years. The board consists of at least one regional representative per region and meets at least twice a year. Two standing committees report on this body:

  • The Standing Committee on Institutional Affairs focuses on maintaining the core principles of subsidiarity, good governance and regional democracy.
  • The standing committee for “Monitoring and Evaluation” focuses on maintaining the priorities of the strategic plan.
Bureau

The Presidium consists of the AER President (currently Michèle Sabban, Vice-President of the Ile-de-France region ), two Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer Vice-President and the Presidents of each AER Commission. In the period between the board meetings, and in the case of delegations, the presidium can meet and make decisions which must then be communicated to the board.

Structure of the commissions

Commission 1
"Economy and Regional Development"
  • Regional, economic development, employment and cohesion policy, environmental protection, rural development, tourism
Commission 2
"Social Policy and Public Health"
Commission 3
"Culture, education and training, youth"
Subcommittees

The presidents of the commissions / standing committees are responsible for the establishment of the sub-committees as these are deemed necessary for the distribution of the committee tasks during his / her period (minimum duration of two years).

Working groups

The working groups are temporary committees that are set up for specific purposes to deal with matters that arise in connection with the activities of the commissions.

AER programs

Eurodyssey
Eurodyssey ( suitcase word from Europe and Odyssey ) is an interregional program that promotes professional training and mobility of young people across Europe.
Summer school
The summer school is an annual forum and is dedicated to relevant matters in the area of ​​regional development.
Youth Summer School
The youth summer school is an annual forum and focuses on empowering young people and supporting their inclusion in regional politics and public life.

Movement "Subsidiarity is a word"

For the AER, respect for the principle begins with the recognition of the word, and recognition of the word with the " subsidiarity is a word" movement. In May 2008 the AER started the global movement by demanding the recognition of the word in dictionaries and in Microsoft Word's spelling program. The word has already been recognized in numerous dictionaries across Europe.

A YouTube channel and a Facebook group present the movement's spokesman: Subsidiarity Man. To date, the “superhero” has tried to climb a building in Brussels, has been jailed without a criminal complaint, set a new world record by getting several thousand people to sing the word “subsidiarity”, and has been hospitalized after he jumped down the "Old Bridge" in Mostar .

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Eurodyssée programs , eurodyssee.eu
  2. ↑ “Subsidiarity is a word” for Google, or is it? December 7, 2009, accessed July 31, 2019 .