|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Ref : |
000031950 |
|
|
Date : |
2009-06-22 |
|
Langue : |
English |
|
|
|
| |
Regional governance in a global context - Danuta Hübner talks to the Regions |
"Regional Governance in a Global Context" is the title of the Conference organised by the European Commission in association with the Forum of Global Associations of Regions (FOGAR) last month. Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, invited representatives from Governments and regions in Europe, Africa, Russia, China and South America to look at the experience of EU regional policy and similar policies in other parts of the world.
Enrico Mayrhofer: Commissioner, this Conference brings together representatives from Regions from all over the world. Is there a growing interest in regional policy in the EU’s external relations? Why?
Danuta Hübner: This is the first time that the Commission has organised a conference at regional level with representatives from the whole world and I hope it will not be the last. Indeed, we want to establish a network for regional cooperation at world level. For me, this approach allows us to mobilise regional and local potential across the world, in the context of a new industrial revolution based on greening and energy efficiency. Moreover, this entry of EU regional policy in the EU external relation field will allow us to better use the great potential that we have at regional and local level both in the context of crises and in the context of this new industrial revolution just mentioned. Indeed, we have introduced the regional dimension to all our international agreements, for instance regarding our Eastern partnership agreements or regarding policies addressed to developing countries, for instance as in Africa.
EM: Regional policy is one of the biggest successes of the Union. Do you think we could export this successful model for developing undeveloped areas of the world?
DH: Yes we are doing it, but this is a very specific export: it is not just telling them what to do; it is mostly to show our experiences, our best practices. In Europe, we have broad experience in development, especially after the last enlargement where some countries joined the EU with a significant difference in the level of development. We have incorporated them in the regional policy over the last five years and they have been very successful in growing their economies. Therefore, we can prove that regional policy can help the least developed territories to catch up. But I also believe that we are learning from the rest of the world; for instance, we have learned the importance of micro-credit in local development from developing countries. Thus, this exchange of experiences shows that we all face the same problem: disparities. Today nobody can afford such big disparities in the same territory. Therefore, regional policy is very useful.
EM: How do you judge the activity of FOGAR in building a permanent network between different regional associations in the five continents?
DH: That was an excellent idea! Starting cooperation at sub-national level, in a field where traditionally only nations are the main actors, has been a very useful action. In Europe, we understood the importance of cooperation at sub-national level quite some time ago. We have learnt that cooperation among regions is a big potential to develop territories and also to prevent conflicts. Therefore, FOGAR is facilitating this process because it is providing an institutional framework which brings cohesion to the world. Additionally, FOGAR also allows us to help what you call “exporting” regional policy to the rest of the world. Indeed, it is a framework where regions can mutually learn from each other exactly how it happens in Europe.
EM: The UN is an organisation of nations like the European Community was when it was created. Do you think the voice of regions should be more structured at world level like in the EU now?
DH: The fact that UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) has joined us at the moment that FOGAR was created shows that in the UN there is this reflection on the need to go beyond the national level. Of course, I think there is still a very long way to go, but bringing the voice of regions, the voice of people, to international level is very important. Today, citizens wish to transmit their wishes and their dreams from the local level to other levels and bodies like FOGAR can perhaps help them to develop this perspective.
Interview by Enrico Mayrhofer: enrico.mayrhofer@crpm.org
* More information about the meeting...
* FOGAR
|
|
|
|
|
