On October 8, 2024, the Brussels Press Club hosted the presentation of “30 Years of Local Democracy,” the latest book by Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA. The event gathered prominent voices from European institutions, local governance, and civil society to reflect on the past, present, and future of local democracy.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Maddalena Alberti, Director of the Association “ADL in Zavidovici“, ALDA Member, who set the tone for a gathering dedicated to celebrating decades of commitment to fostering citizen participation and strengthening democratic governance at the local level.
A panel discussion followed, moderated by Adrien Licha, ALDA’s Secretariat Coordinator. The discussion offered rich reflections on the challenges and opportunities of local democracy, with insightful contributions from:
- Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
- Nataša Vučković, President of ALDA and the Center for Democracy Foundation
- Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA
The panel explored the importance of local democracy in today’s complex political landscape, discussing the role of citizen participation in shaping resilient, inclusive, and democratic communities across Europe and beyond.
Following the panel, Maddalena Alberti led a conversation with Antonella Valmorbida about the book itself. This dialogue delved into the core themes of “30 Years of Local Democracy,” which recounts ALDA’s journey since its foundation, highlights its accomplishments, and candidly addresses the challenges it has faced in promoting democratic governance. Antonella also shared her reflections on the evolving landscape of local democracy, drawing on her vast experience and the lessons learned from three decades of advocacy and action.
The book presentation concluded with a networking reception, where attendees enjoyed refreshments and continued the conversation in a more informal setting. This provided an opportunity for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss the future of local governance in Europe, particularly in light of current global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine, which was a recurrent theme throughout the evening.
Order Your Copy of “30 Years of Local Democracy”
ALDA is pleased to offer copies of “30 Years of Local Democracy” in three languages—English, French, and Italian. To receive your copy, please email us at alda@alda-europe.eu, specifying your preferred language. Shipping costs will kindly be covered by the recipient.
For more information about this event or ALDA’s ongoing work in promoting local democracy and civic participation, visit our website or contact us at info@alda-europe.eu.