Promoted by ALDA, the European Association for Local Democracy
ALDA is proud to announce the formation of a prestigious Scientific Committee for the International School of Local Democracy, held annually at Villa Fabris in Thiene. Launched in August 2024, the School aims to foster local governance and democratic practices through education and capacity building. To uphold the academic integrity of the School and its programmes, the creation of a Scientific Committee is essential. This esteemed committee will consist of 3 to 5 distinguished experts in political science, local governance, democracy, and related fields.
The purpose of The Scientific Committee is to provide strategic and academic guidance for the International School for Local Democracy, to ensure that the School’s curriculum, sessions, and overall direction align with contemporary research and best practices in local democracy and governance.
The Scientific Committee will be appointed by a dedicated selection committee, which includes representatives from the Coordination Board, Scientific Board, and ALDA’s Governing Board. Once the selection process is complete, the decision will be final and not subject to appeal. After their appointment, the members of the Scientific Committee will choose a President from among themselves.
Foremost among these is ensuring that the curriculum of the ALDA’s International School of Local Democracy reflects the latest developments in local democracy, governance, and political science. Their primary task will be to ensure that the programme’s core principles remain aligned with current trends and innovations in these fields, ensuring a dynamic and relevant educational experience.
Another key responsibility of the Committee will be designing the programme, including offering guidance on the structure of sessions, workshops, and activities, as well as recommending themes and topics for each edition of the School. They will also oversee quality assurance by monitoring and evaluating the academic content’s quality and relevance, and by providing feedback on the effectiveness of the educational activities conducted throughout the programme.
The Committee will actively propose and identify potential speakers, lecturers, and partners with the relevant expertise for the topics at hand. Furthermore, they will utilise their extensive networks to foster connections with academic institutions, political bodies, and other organisations, thereby enhancing collaboration and enriching the programme’s offerings. This proactive approach will ensure a diverse range of perspectives and insights, contributing to a robust and dynamic educational experience.
They will work on the reporting of the event, preparing an annual report summarising the Committee’s activities, evaluations and recommendations for improvements, as well as further involvement by participating in regular meetings with ALDA’s organising team to discuss progress and challenges, as well as supporting ALDA’s vision by promoting the School’s visibility in academic and political spheres and advocate for the School and its mission.
While the position is pro bono, members of the Scientific Committee will benefit from ALDA’s official acknowledgement on the website and the school-related materials, networking opportunities, influence in the direction of an international educational initiative and professional and academic development.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV in English, along with a brief statement highlighting their motivation and qualifications for the role, by Novemebr 20, 2024.
Applications should be sent via email to villafabris@alda-europe.eu with the subject line: “Scientific Committee of the International School for Local Democracy.”