Seminar for Dialogue and Capacity building of local and regional authorities in the Maghreb in the development and

local governance fields Date: 30 September 1 October 2013 Venue: Le Diwan Hotel, Place de lUnit africaine, Rabat Overview1
Two years after what was called the "Arab Spring", many southern Mediterranean countries seem to be in a long transition phase where the empowerment of local and regional governments is a prerequisite for democracy. Each country is different and the apparent continuity of these events, that are often portrayed as "spreading like wildfire", cannot conceal the diversity which fundamentally characterises the Maghreb. Modernising the State and management of public affairs appears to be a prerequisite to developing a State which, it is hoped, tends towards greater democracy, better recognition of civil society and tackles corruption more effectively. The aim is to introduce regulations addressing public policy objectives that have a positive impact on the economy and society in order to fill the gaps in regulations and inefficiencies in public services. All governments in place seem to agree on the necessity to restructure the governance framework which was notably the cause of the Arab Spring. There is also consensus on the modernisation of the State. However, the centralised system which prevails in most countries does not allow for populations to take part in decision-making or to prioritise resources and projects based on their needs. It can be seen that the evolution in public governance places Local Authorities at the forefront, especially by developing or strengthening decentralisation and devolution processes, where they exist. Reinforcing administrative devolution can be seen as a first step which would already provide a local response to needs expressed by the population.

Taken from Institut de la Mditerrane (2013) Democratic Governance in the Mediterranean, Marseille http://www.commed-cglu.org/IMG/pdf/Rapport_final.pdf PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission

PLATFORMA
It seems important, in this framework, that PLATFORMA partners try to help to reinforce the institutional and operational capacities of Local and Regional Authorities in Maghreb countries, particularly in the field of good governance and local development. In that sense, our project hopes to strengthen the working areas developed in the framework of the Structured Dialogue to promote good governance, and to further develop the strategic reflection on enabling environment so as to make local LRAs development actors with their own identity and role.

Objectives
The seminar objectives are: to have an exchange with the participants on the content of the new Communication for local Authorities published by the European Commission in May 2013; to exchange information on the evolution of the national legal framework in the Maghreb and the possible role of local and regional authorities; to review the situation of inclusion at the local level, with a focus on the situation of women; to understand the development of the regional dimension and the territorial approach in the Maghreb area; to have a clear view on the role of decentralised cooperation in the Maghreb area, particularly with respect to the reinforcement of democracy; to help to develop the research on the evolution of LRA Associations in these countries.

Participants
50-60 participants from the region will be invited to participate: representatives of LRAs (elected local and regional representatives and local representatives in charge of international cooperation); representatives of civil society; representatives of national governments; representatives of the European Union Delegations from the targeted countries.

Program
After the introductory session, a presentation and discussion of the new Communication of the European Commission on the role of LRAs in development cooperation will take place in order to provoke an open debate on the issues and problems affecting the region and the possible role of local governments, with an evaluation of the political background. The output of the workshop will be aimed at generating recommendations that would help these partner countries develop towards democracy and consequently local democracy.
PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission

The following sessions will touch different topics: national legal framework and possible evolution towards decentralisation; inclusion at the local level, with a focus on the gender and youth issues; the regional dimension of development cooperation in the Maghreb area; decentralised cooperation with cities of the Maghreb area.

Documents
The seminar will be an active and participative experience for the participants but it will have as reference material the following: European Commission (2013) Communication on Local Authorities and Development Cooperation VNG PLATFORMA (2013) Draft document on the Opportunities for Local and Regional Authorities from Africa for development cooperation with the European Union CLGF PLATFORMA (2013) Draft document on Cases, Opportunities and Lessons Learned on Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development with Development Cooperation in Africa Institut de la Mditerrane (2013) La gouvernance dmocratique en Mditerrane [only in French]

PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission

DRAFT AGENDA Day 1 30th September 2013

Time
09:15 - 10:00

Session
Welcome and introduction Pierre Schapira, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of for international relations, European affairs and Francophonie, Former member of the European Parliament, Political representative of PLATFORMA Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General UCLGA Rupert Joy, Ambassador, Chief of the EU Delegation in Morocco Pierre Baillet, Permanent Secretary, AIMF Abdelmonim Madani, Vice Mayor in charge of international cooperation, Rabat, Morocco

Reference material

10:00 - 10:45

Presentation of the EC Communication on Local Communication Authorities and Development Elena Asciutti, Programme Assistant External relations, DG Development and Cooperation, Unit B2 - Civil Society and Local Authorities, European Commission Questions from the participants

10:45 - 11:00 11:00 - 13:00

Coffee break Round table on governance and post 2015 agenda Moderation by Frdric Vallier, CEMR Secretary General Ahmed Hamza, President of the Nouakchott Urban Community, Mauritania Habib Sethom, Governor of Monastir, Tunisia Abdelmonim Madani, Vice Mayor in charge of international cooperation, Rabat, Morocco

13:00 - 14:30
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Lunch

With the support of the European Commission

14:30 16: 00

National legal framework and possible role for Local Governments Moderation by an AIMF representative TBC Ali Bouabid, AIMF Expert for Morocco Morched Chabbi, AIMF Expert for Tunisia Local and regional government representatives from Maghreb countries TBC Questions from the participants

16:00 - 16:15 16:15 - 17:45

Coffee Break Inclusion at the local level, with a focus on the gender question Introduction and moderation by Jocelyne Bougeard, Deputy Mayor of Rennes, President of the Committee for equality between women and men in local life of the AFCCRE and member of the High Council for the equality between women and men Virginie Tchoffo, Municipal Councillor, City of Lille, France - TBC Fatima Zahra Elmansouri, Mayor of Marrakech, Morocco TBC Fatimetou Mint Abdel Malick, Mayor of Tevragh-Zeina, Mauritania Questions from the participants

20:00

Dinner

PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission

PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission

Day 2 1st October 2013

Time
09:00 10:30

Session
City to city development cooperation in the Maghreb: what is the role of local authorities in the transition period? Introduction and moderation by Pierre Schapira, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of international relations, European affairs and Francophonie, Political representative of PLATFORMA Laurent Bray, Engineer, City of Paris on the Paris-Algiers cooperation Rmy Reymann, Programme Director, ACTED Libya on the local governance project in Libya Ingrid Pechell, LYDEC, Morocco on the AIMF project in Casablanca Nama Kaioua, Project officer, Department for Economic Development and International Relations, City of Nantes, France on the Nantes-Agadir cooperation Representatives from a Libyan city TBC Questions from the participants

Reference material

10:30 10:45 10:45 12:15

Coffee break The regional dimension of decentralised cooperation in the Maghreb area Moderation by Sad Chbaattou, President of the Mekns-Tafilalet Regional Council, Morocco, President of the Association of Moroccan Regions CPMR representative - TBC Mohamed Boudra, President of the Taza-Al Hoceima Taounate Regional Council, Morocco Sad Chbaattou, President of the MeknsTafilalet Regional Council, Morocco, President of the Association of Moroccan Regions

PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission

 Mokhles Jmal, Governor of Sousse, Tunisia Questions from the participants 12:15 - 13:00 Conclusions and wrap-up Carles Llorens I Vila, Director General for development cooperation, Catalonia Region, Political representative of PLATFORMA Angelo Baglio, Head of Unit, Civil Society and Local Authorities, DG DEVO, European Commission - TBC UCLGA representative - TBC Lunch

13:00

PLATFORMA platforma@ccre-cemr.org www.platforma-dev.eu

With the support of the European Commission