Second edition of Think Tank Forum during Western Balkan Summit in Poznań
On 3 July 2019, the second edition of the Think Tank Forum was held in Poznań after Skopje in May this year. This format of experts’ meetings from the Western Balkans and the EU was initiated during the Polish presidency in the Berlin process. The Think Tank Forum is co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the Center for Eastern Studies (OSW).
The Forum was opened by Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the Government Plenipotentiary for the Western Balkans Summit, who spoke out in favour of cooperation stating that the future of Western Balkans is the European Union. He underlined the fact that Poland strongly advocates and believee that without Western Balkans EU is not a complete project".
After this unequivocal call for cooperation and integration a total of three panels were held focusing on crucial topics showcasing the potential of the Western Balkan region:
(i) Connecting the dots
(ii) Growing together
(iii) The challenges ahead.
NALAS executive director, Kelmend Zajazi made a strong point in the 2nd panel on “Growing together” by stressing the role of local governments and the need to include them in the process of integration and revitalization of public services at the local level. In this context, Local Government Associations need to be involved as strategic dialogue partners for the WB6 and EU MS in order to use the potential of local governments and their contribution for the overarching objective of promoting regional cooperation.
For more detailed information, please contact the following link: https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/wydarzenia/think-tank-forum-poznan
Latest News
-
"Cities Developing Solutions" in Istanbul
Marmara Urban Forum (MARUF), organized by the NALAS member, Marmara Municipalities Union took place for the first time in the Istanbul Congress Center on 1-3 October 2019, under the motto of “Cities Developing Solutions”.
-
LoGov - Research Coordination Committee
Over 16 and 17 September, 2019 NALAS will participate at the Research Coordination Committee of the H2020-MSCA-RISE-2018 project LoGov – Local Government and the Changing Urban-Rural Interplay. The Meeting is hosted by the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, one of the implementing partners of LoGov.
-
Advisory Board & Partners' Meeting of the Center of Excellence in Finance
NALAS participated at the Advisory Board & Partners' Meeting of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), in Ljubljana on September 10th and 11th. NALAS presented its experience as a knowledge hub for local government development in South-East Europe, through peer to peer learning and exchange, while emphasizing the relevance of involving the local government perspective in the nationally-driven structural reforms, that impact local governments and their operations.
- View all
