Statement by ALDA President, Per Vinther

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to this launching conference on behalf of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies. For quite a number of years ALDA has enjoyed excellent cooperation with the Committee of the Regions and I am therefore particularly pleased, first, to thank Ms Bresso, President of the Committee, for the kind hospitality offered for this important conference and, second, to ask her to take the floor.

The project “Working Together for Development”, or WTD, represents an outstanding opportunity for the Association of Local Democracy Agencies and its network to continue working towards the promotion of local democracy, good local governance, respect for human rights and rule of law, as highlighted in the European Commission document “Increasing the Impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change”. These same principles have guided the actions of our Association since the very beginning, when facing the difficulties in the Balkans in the ‘90s, and they have continued to be the core aim when we enlarged our action to the European neighbourhood countries, working closely with Non-State Actors.” […]