May, 2013

This fall, in the period between 25-27 October, Belgium and Romania will experience another key moment of their excellent relations: the 4th edition of the Forum of decentralized cooperation Romania-Belgium entitled Partnership, responsibility and solidarity in the European Year Europe for the Citizens. The Forum will take place in Leuven thanks to the generous hospitality offered by the Province of the Flemish Brabant. On behalf of the Organising Committee and of all the partners involved in this project (the complete list is attached), it gives us great pleasure to invite you to participate at this prestigious event. The fourth edition of the Forum of Decentralized Cooperation Romania-Belgium aims to take the debate on decentralized bilateral relations to a new level in order to better reflect the current profiles of our two societies, their new needs and expectations and, in particular, the new challenges confronting the local authorities and communities, everything in a local and European framework. The event is specifically addressed to the local and provincial authorities of the two countries, but will also involve the non-governmental authorities, professional associations, universities and research institutes, enterprises interested in sustaining the decentralised cooperation between Belgium and Romania. Therefore, the forum will focus on highly relevant subjects for all the major actors of our societies, such as the environment, agriculture, tourism, water management, health, civil society and youth. The main objective is the exchange of good practices, as well as renewing the connections and establishing efficient partnerships that can be promoted and implemented within the existing national and European frameworks (priorities, programmes, financing). As a friend of Romania, having an acknowledged experience in decentralised cooperation, as well as in the management of local projects, we invite you to participate at the upcoming Forum and to bring your contribution to the workshops and debates with a view to consolidating old links with your Romanian partners and to identifying new partnerships, while at the same time promoting the local community that you represent.

In case your agenda does not allow you to join us, we kindly ask you to designate one or more representatives of your institution who can share their knowledge and expertise during this event. You will find attached the concept of the Forum. More information regarding the agenda, working panels and logistical details of the event will be available as of 15th of June on the site www.fobero.eu. Registration of the participants has to be done exclusively online, on this website.

Philippe Beke

Stefan Tinca

Ambassador of Belgium to Romania

Ambassador of Romania to Belgium

Lodewijk De Witte

Governor of the Flemish Brabant

Organising committee and contact persons : ADR Vlaanderen Jozef Goebels OVR Michel De Backer PVR Agnes Jones Embassy of Romania in Belgium
Embassy of Belgium in Romania

jozef.goebels@skynet.be michel.debacker@euronet.be agnesam.jones@gmail.com olivia.toderean@roumanieamb.be Roxana.Macovei@diplobel.fed.be