Mohamed Boudra elected President of UCLG

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Dr. Mohamed Boudra, Mayor of Al Hoceima (Morocco), candidate from Africa, was elected President of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) at the organization’s World Congress held on 15 November 2019 in Durban (South Africa). The result of the  first round was: Dr. Boudra, first with 100 votes; followed by Mr. Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan in Russia with 66 votes, and in third place Mr. Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon in Portugal with 55 votes, which gave Mr. Boudra and Mr. Meltshin qualified for the second round scheduled for November 15, 2019, during which each candidate was required to submit a ticket including, in addition to himself, 5 co-chairs chosen from the 8 candidates selected for this position; and two Treasurers chosen from the 4 candidates selected for this position.

The second round, which was to be held on 15 November 2019, no longer took place, as the two candidates agreed to form a consensual presidential team in which all UCLG sections are represented, including the vice-presidents appointed by section. The new President of UCLG introduced the team with which he intends to lead the global organization during his three-year term (2019-2022). This team is composed as follows:

Presidency :

– Dr. Mohamed BOUDRA, President of UCLG;

– Ilsur METSHIN, President of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Local and Regional Authorities, UNACLA, Member of the UCLG Presidency.

Co-Presidents :

– Araya Johnny Monge Mayor of San Jose, Costa Rica (ASPAC Section) ;

– Igur Ibrahim Althay, Mayor of Konya, Turkey (Middle East and West Asia Section)

– Jan Van Zanen, Mayor of Utrecht, The Netherlands (Europe Section)

– Li Mingyang, Mayor of Xi’An, China (Asia Pacific Section)

– Thembisile Nkadimeng, Mayor of Polokwane, South Africa (Africa Section)

Ex-officio Co-President :

– Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, France, President of the Standing Committee on Gender Equality of UCLG

Treasurers :

– Alfelor Madelaine Yorobe, Mayor of Iriga, Philippines (Asia Pacific Section)

– Berry Vbranovic, Mayor of Kitchener, Canada (North America Chapter)

Vice-Presidents by section:

  • Africa: Mr. Armand Roland Pierre Béouindé, Mayor of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
  • ASIA-PACIFIC : Ms. Tri Rismaharini, Mayor of Surabaya, President of UCLG-ASPAC
  • EURASIA: Mr. Aysen Nikoalev, Head of Sakha Republic
  • EUROPE: Mr. Carlos Martinez, Mayor of Soria
  • MEWA : Mr. Mohamed Saadie, President of the Union of Dannieh Municipalities, President of UCLG-MEWA
  • Latine America : Mr. Christian Di Candia, Mayor of Montevideo (Uruguay)
  • North America: Mr. Bill Karsten, Councillor of Halifax Regional Municipality, President of FCM (Canada)
  • METROPOLIS Vice-Presidency: Michael Müller, Mayor of Berlin, President of Metropolis.

Moroccan Mohamed Boudra succeeds South African Parks Tau, who served as UCLG President from 2016 to 2019. With the election of Mohamed Boudra, Africa is entering its second consecutive term as President of UCLG for the period 2019-2022.

After the installation of the new presidential team Mr. Boudra congratulated his predecessor and the entire outgoing presidential team for the work they had done for the organization. In regard to the outgoing President, Mr. Parks Tau, he said: “We have not lost a President, because you will continue to be our President. But we have won a minister who will defend local and regional authorities. Thank you to South Africa for this congress, which I can call the Congress of the Union. The union of all UCLG sections“.

In his speech at the inauguration of his term as President of UCLG, Mr Mohamed Boudra said in particular:

“Thank you to my peers for their confidence and for allowing me to be elected President of UCLG. The debates and exchanges were fascinating and full of lessons. I solemnly undertake to complete my commitments to raise our organization to the highest level. We have come here together with the concern to safeguard and strengthen the unity and strengthening of our world organization and we have succeeded”.

Local Africa rejoices

African delegates expressed their satisfaction at seeing the continent retain the leadership of the World organization.

“It is a total satisfaction, all the more so as the bid has been in progress since the Executive Committee meeting in Cairo in June before continuing in Libreville in July 2019. The choice of Africa’s candidate was made according to a very democratic process and everyone was behind Mohamed Boudra because we thought he was the best candidate for Africa. Today the result is there, Mr. Boudra is elected President of UCLG World. It is Africa that is honoured, it is Gabon that is honoured,” said Léandre Nzué, President of UCLG Africa.

“Africa remains at the helm of the global organization. Now we must remain dedicated and committed to further developing our World organization. The world is watching us and we need to propose viable solutions, and we are ready for that,” added Ms Thembisile Nkadimeng, elected Co-President of UCLG.

“I am pleased to see that the world’s local elected representatives have kept the values of our organization. The values of making an election without rupture, an election without fracture.  We are also pleased to maintain this second term as an African and to ensure that our global institution remains a strong one,” continued Armand Béouindé, Mayor of Ouagadougou, elected UCLG Vice-President for Africa.

The next UCLG World Congress will be held in 2022 in the city of Daejeon in South Korea.

 

For more information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi:  Phone: +212 610 56 71 45

Email:  gyomi@uclga.org

Visit our website: www.uclga.org

 

Africa Unite Behind Dr. Mohamed BOUDRA for United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG) Presidency

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UCLG Africa held its statutory meetings on November 9th, 2019 at Onomo Hotel in Durban, South Africa. The statutory meetings of UCLG Africa included the 22nd session of Executive committee and the meeting of the Pan-African Council. These meetings were held as a prelude to the UCLG World Congress that takes place from November 11th-15th, 2019 in the city of Durban.

The two meetings were officially opened by General Mahmoud Shaarawy, Minister of Local Development of Egypt, in the presence of General Khaled Abdel Aal, Governor of Cairo; Mr. Léandre Nzué, Mayor of Libreville (Gabon), President of UCLG Africa; Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo, President of BALA (Botswana); Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the Southern Africa Region, Mr. Mohamed Boudra, President of AMPCC (Morocco), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the North Africa Region; Mrs. Soham El Wardini, Mayor of Dakar (Senegal), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the West Africa Region; Mr. Uwimana Innocent, President of RALGA (Rwanda), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the East Africa Region; Mrs. Fatna El-Khiel, Vice-President of REFELA for the North Africa region, and Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

The Minister, General Mahmoud Shaarawy and the Governor of the Governorate of Cairo, General Khaled Abdel Aal, reassured the members of the Executive Committee that the UCLG Africa regional office being set up for the North Africa region in Cairo, will be completed by the end of the year. They had also invited UCLG Africa members to participate to the second edition of the African Cities: “Engines of Sustainable Development” conference to be held in June 2020 in Cairo.

The Executive Committee and Pan-African Council members discussed participation in the UCLG Congress where Africa is contesting for the position of UCLG president for the 2019-2022 term. The candidate for Africa is Dr. Mohamed Boudra, Mayor of Al Hoceima, Morocco, President of the Moroccan Association of Local Governments (AMPCC) and Vice president of UCLG Africa for the North Africa Region.

All members of Pan-African Council reaffirmed their full support to Dr. Mohamed Boudra, the sole candidate for Africa. The President of UCLG Africa and the Vice President of REFELA called on all African mayors to mobilize the mayors of their twin cities of other continents to vote for Africa by supporting Dr. Boudra’s candidacy

“In Africa, women elect men. Our African candidate will be elected. We are committed and all African voices will go to him. We will advocate with other electors to vote for Dr. Boudra “, Mrs. Soham El Wardini, Mayor of Dakar (Senegal), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the West Africa Region

The UCLG Africa delegates are already fully engaged in the campaign for a final victory. The first part of election is plan on 14th November evening, during the World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments. The second part will be on 15th November 2019.

The members attending the meeting raised the following points:

Liberation of Khalifa Sall

Leaders of UCLG Africa welcome the liberation of Mr. Khalifa Ababacar Sall, former Mayor of Dakar and former president of the organization. During his two years of incarceration, the support from African Local Governments was unwavering. On 17th April 2018 in Libreville, a specific mention of the support to UCLG Africa’s leader was published in the Declaration of UCLG Africa Region Strategic Meeting for the Central Africa Region.

Motion of support to the Mayor of Bamako

The members of Pan-African Council were also informed about the situation of the Mayor of Bamako (Mali), Adama Sangaré who has arrested and placed under a detention warrant. It was agreed to write a motion of support to Mayor Sangaré and plan for a UCLG Africa delegation to arrange a courtesy visit.

Declaration of solidarity to municipal movement of Burkina Faso and others countries dealing with the terrorist attacks

The Leaders of African Local Government also decided to produce a declaration to condemn the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso and the other African countries such as Cameroon. These attacks have resulted in the death of many people including several Mayors.

It was also highlighted that the next Africities to be held in the city of Kisumu in Kenya from 16th to 23rd of November 2021. The theme for this edition will be “The Role of the Intermediary Cities in the Development of Africa”.

The Secretary General for UCLG Africa provided a project report including The Network of Elected Women (REFELA), Migration, Young Local Leaders, African Capitals of Culture, Territorial Africa Agency, Climate Task Force, Territorial Coaching and ALGA.

A point was made regarding REFELA campaigns for African Cities without Street Children that registered the signature of 60 cities, The Campaign for African Cities’ Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Women and Girls with 22 cities signing up, and finally The Campaign for African Cities for Women’s Economic Empowerment.

“REFELA want this campaign for African Cities without Street Children became a world campaign. We should remember the message of the King of Morocco in Africities 2018, It’s a matter of dignity for our self no to be a shame to have children sleeping in the street”, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

Migration was also one of the key issues on the agenda of development in Africa. Considering the fact that African people move mainly inside the continent, the meetings appealed to Local Authorities to increase the number of the signatory cities for the Charter of Local and Regional Governments of Africa on Migration. Only 30 cities have signed this Charter since its adoption during the 8th edition of Africities summit in Marrakech, November 2018 yet every major city in Africa has to deal with the growing impact of urban population growth through economic migration.

Two meetings were scheduled on the 11th of November at the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders. The first one is about young African leaders and the drive to establish an African network of young elected officials. The second meeting is The Africa Territorial Agency that aims to establish a financial vehicle to enable Local Authorities to access the financial markets.

ALGA has organized the third edition of the FAMI (African Forum of Territorial Managers and Training Institutes targeting local governments). Several colleges have already been established and 169 officials elected and technical staff of municipalities have been trained including: Localizing the SDGs, Territorial Coaching, Human Capital at local level, Decentralized cooperation and local governance.

Since the decision to endorse the program of African Capitals of Culture, it has worked on three pillars: the strengthening of the department, the advocacy at the local, national, continental and international level and the finalization of the activities of the multi-year program that will see Marrakech awarded the 2020 title of African Cities of Culture 2020-2021.

Territorial Coaching will expand to all the provinces in the Oriental and the Beni Mellal Region in Morocco; as well as breaking into the international scene, around South-South cooperation carried by the Region of the Oriental and the Government of Morocco. This has seen the creation of a center for Territorial Coaching in Dakar and in Kaolack in Senegal, and further requests for intervention in the region of the Boucle du Nohoum in Burkina Faso, San Pedro in Côte d’Ivoire, and the City of Douala in Cameroon.

After prolonged advocacy and negotiations, UCLG Africa is now part of the climate change ecosystem at the African and global levels. UCLG Africa suggested an innovation to improve the ongoing process of reviewing the Nationally Defined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, namely the adoption of a bottom-up approach based on Locally Determined Conditions (LDCs), following a structured dialogue between the national and territorial levels of government. This approach was considered innovative enough to be presented at the United Nations Climate Summit convened by the Secretary General in September 2019 in New York.

For more information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Phone: +212 610 56 71 45
Email: gyomi@uclga.org
Visit our website: www.uclga.org

Don’t miss UCLG Africa’s sessions at the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders!

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The city of Durban, South Africa, is hosting the 6th Congress of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders from November 11-15, 2019. 3000 delegates are expected to attend the meeting, which will feature more than 80 sessions, including plenary sessions, focusing on local democracy, the location of SDGs and intergenerational dialogues. This summit will also mark the renewal of UCLG’s governing bodies, with Africa’s candidacy for the presidency, led by Dr. Mohammed Boudra, Mayor of Al Hoceima.

UCLG Africa will contribute to this great gathering of local leaders by organizing and taking part in twenty sessions. Various departments and programs will bring the voice of local Africa to the table.

Themes to be addressed will include: local finance, urbanization, gender equality, migration, human capital, cultural policies, mobility, climate, territorial development financing and youth..

Consult the program of sessions and join us!

The World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders will also serve as a framework for holding statutory meetings of UCLG Africa. These include the 22nd session of the Executive Committee and the Pan-African Council meeting. Both meetings will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the Onomo Hotel in Durban. On Sunday, November 10, 2019, the meeting of the steering committee of LEDNA (African Network for Local Economic Development) will also take place.

For more information on the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders, visit: www.durban2019.uclg.org

22nd SESSION OF UCLG AFRICA’s EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN DURBAN

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UCLG Africa will hold the 22nd session of its Executive Committee on November 09, 2019  (9:00) at the Onomo Hotel in Durban, South Africa. The meeting will be held as a prelude to the UCLG World Congress that will take place from November 11-15, 2019 in the city of Durban. The session will adopt the 2020 budget of UCLG Africa and discuss African participation in the UCLG World Congress.

We recall that Africa is contesting for the position of UCLG president for the 2019-2022 term. The candidate who represent Africa for this position is Dr. Mohamed Boudra, Mayor of Al Hoceima, Morocco, President of the Moroccan Association of Local Governments (AMPCC) and Vice president of UCLG Africa for North Africa Region.

The following leaders of UCLG Africa be participating in this meeting:

– Mr. Léandre Nzué, Mayor of Libreville (Gabon), President of UCLG Africa.

– Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo, President of BALA (Botswana), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the Southern Africa Region;

– Mr. Mohammed Boudra, President of AMPCC (Morocco), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the North Africa Region;

– Mrs. Soham El Wardini, Mayor of Dakar (Senegal), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the West Africa Region;

— Mr. Uwimana Innocent, President of RALGA (Rwanda), Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the East Africa Region;

– Mrs. Dao Macoura, Mayor of Foumbolo (Côte d’Ivoire), President of REFELA (Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa);

– Ms. Thembisile Nkadimeng, President of SALGA (South Africa);

– Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

Following the morning meeting of the Executive Committee, UCLG Africa’s Pan-African Council meeting will be held at the same venue from 3pm. Participants in the Pan-African Council meeting will focus on the activities of the UCLG Congress and the organization of the Africities 2021 Summit in Kisumu, Kenya.

As a reminder, UCLG Africa’s Executive Committee is the body in charge of the political leadership of the organization. The Executive Committee is comprised of 16 members, 15 members equally representing each of the 5 regions of the continent, (3 for each of the 5 regions), plus the President of the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA). UCLG Africa’s Pan-African Council is made up of forty-five (45) active members, nine (9) for each African sub-region.

For more information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi:  Phone: + 212 610 56 71 45

Email:  gyomi@uclga.org

Visit our website : www.uclga.org

Join the session of young African local and regional elected representatives at the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders

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Are you elected locally in a municipality, province, region or county? Are you 35 years old or younger? Know that you represent the future of local Africa.

Joint the UCLG World Congress of Local and Regional Leaders from 11 to 15 November 2019 in Durban, South Africa, where a meeting of young African local and regional elected representatives is scheduled for 11 November 2019 from 16h30 to 18h00. This meeting will allow the establishment of the African network of young elected officials.

Please send your CV with a photo and a cover letter to the UCLG Africa General Secretariat to the following e-mail address Lnzamba@uclga.org ; Secretariat@uclga.org

For more information on the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders, visit the website: www.durban2019.uclg.org

 

Visit of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON ) at UCLG Africa

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From 31 October to 4 November 2019, sixteen members of the National Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) undertook a study tour to Rabat (Morocco).

The delegation led by the Honourable ALABI Kolade David, President of ALGON and the Honourable ATEGBERO Michael Odunayo, Chairman of ALGON Board of Trustees, held two working sessions at UCLG Africa’s headquarters in Rabat.

The first day was led on Friday 01 November 2019 by Mr Souleymane Idrissa Maiga, Director of Cabinet and Operations of UCLG Africa. The second meeting, held on Saturday, November 02, 2019, was chaired by Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

The discussions focused on the organization’s key programs, which were presented by the various departments. The advocacy for the ratification of the African Charter on Decentralization, the creation of national chapters of the Network of Locally Elected Women in Africa (REFELA), the Climate Task Force of UCLG Africa, the Territorial Africa Agency, the African Capitals of Culture programme, the strengthening of the human capital of local elected officials through ALGA and the project The Gateway to the Return of Afro-descendants were discussed.

ALGON’s return as an active member of the organization also occupied a large part of the exchanges. At the end of these meetings, the Honourable ALABI Kolade David assured that ALGON intends to take an active part within UCLG Africa in order to contribute to the implementation of the main Global Agendas.

Watch his video declaration 

During their stay, ALGON members also visited the City hall of Rabat, the Moroccan Association of Prefectural Council Presidents (AMPCPP), the Agency for Agricultural Development and the Bouregreg Valley Agency.

UCLG Africa President, Mr. Léandre Nzué visits the organization’s headquarters in Rabat

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On Wednesday 23 October, 2019, Mr. Léandre Nzué, Mayor of Libreville (Gabon) and President of UCLG Africa, made a working visit to the organization’s headquarters in Rabat (Morocco). President Nzué’s delegation was composed of Mr. Eric Joel Bekalé, diplomatic adviser to the Mayor of Libreville and Mr. Jean Bruno Mipinda, Adviser to the Mayor of Libreville. This was an opportunity for Mr. Nzué to exchange with the staff of the secretariat and lead a working session, to which he was welcomed by the Secretary General, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi.

After a brief introduction made by Mr. Mbassi, the heads of departments presented the main ongoing projects and requested the support of the President for their success. President Léandre Nzue reassured all of his commitment to lead the advocacy on behalf of African local authorities at the national and international levels.  He was, then, invited by the African Local Governments Academy (ALGA) to support advocacy for the consideration of human capital capacity building at the local level.

The Membership and External Relations Department presented the program on transparency and integrity at the local level and requested the President’s input to involve major African capitals in joining UCLG Africa and ministries as associate members. For the program management, the current major project is the establishment of the Africa Territorial Agency, which is a financial vehicle that will enable local authorities to have access to the financial market. The launch meeting of the AAT founding club is scheduled for 11 November, 2019 in Durban (South Africa), as part of the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders to be held from 11-15 November, 2019. The city of Libreville intends to be part of the member cities of the founding club.

The Climate Task Force received an assurance from Mr. Nzué to take the concept of locally determined conditions (CDLs), initiated by African local authorities, into the negotiations for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. In the direction of COP 25, a hearing with the Gabonese Head of State will be requested so that he can defend this concept to the States, Gabon being the next country to chair the African group in terms of negotiations.

The Network of Locally Elected Women in Africa (REFELA requested the support of the Mayor of Libreville to raise awareness among national associations of local authorities to set up national chapters of REFELA.  To date, 24 countries have REFELA national chapters.

The migration program and the African Capitals of Culture program were supported by the President. Libreville City Hall has been invited to sign the Charter of local and subnational governments of Africa on Migration.

President Nzué also gave assurances concerning the headquarters of UCLG Africa’s Central Africa regional office, which will be located in the city of Libreville.

6th International Conference of the MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH (MENAPAR)

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From 28th to 31st October 2019, the annual conference of the Middle East & North Africa Public Administration Research (MENAPAR) will be held  at Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Morocco). The conference is organize by MENAPAR, Bahrain Institute for Public Administration, Al Akhawayn University, African Local Governments Academy(ALGA) of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa),  UNDP,  International Institutes of Administrative Science(IISA), in partnership with  the National High School for Administration (ENSA, Morocco), the Aix-Marseille University ( France) and the University di Roma (Italy).

The theme of this 6th international conference of the MENAPAR is:” Public Administration Research and South-South Cooperation for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab Region “. As a regional member of the Global South, MENAPAR’s vision of creating “a highly developed Arab region via sound public administration” is aptly aligned with this global (Agenda 2030) and continental (Agenda 2063 of Africa Union) visions and mandates.

The objectives of the conference are:

  • To identify the status of South-South Cooperation vis-à-vis public administration in the Arab region;
  • To identify gaps in public administration of the region vis-à-vis the SDGs;
  • To identify the status of the achievement of the SDGs in the Arab region;
  • To analyze the relationship between the three spaces of PA, SSC, and SDGs in the Arab context;
  • To identify resources (financial and otherwise) from within and outside the Arab region that can support the achievement of the SDGs in the Arab region;
  • To evaluate the impact of existing relevant Arab programs and projects related to PA, SSC, and the SDGs;
  • To highlight and value the best practices.

The Conference will be marked by 2 special events:

  • The Best Practices Panel where more than 30 experiences from the Arab Region will be presented ;
  • The presentation of the translation of the Book on “Understanding Public Administration” of Prof. Michiel De Vries (Netherlands) from English to Arabic.

The opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday 29 October 2019 in presence of:

Dr. Raed BIn Shams, MENAPAR President, Director General of BIPA, Bahrain.

Dr. Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of Al Akhawayn University or his Representative, Morocco.

Honourable  Mr  Hicham Afifi, Mayor of the City of Ifrane, Morocco.

Prof. Brahim ZYANI, Chairperson of the Moroccan Public Administration Observatory(OMAP), Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the Moroccan Government, Morocco.

Dr. Najat Zarrouk, Director of African Local Government Acadamy (ALGA) of UCLG Africa.

Nearly 200 stakeholders are expected to attend the conference, issue from International Organizations, Public Administrations and Institutions, Academia and Training Centers, Researchers and Experts, Practitioners, PhD students, Private Sector and Civil Society.

The national and the international press (based in Morocco) are invited to cover the opening ceremony on Tuesday 29 October 2019, at 9:00 am at the Al Akhawayn University – Conference Center (Auditorium).

On Monday 28 October, 2019, the Conference will start by the Best Practices Panel.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi:  + 212 610 56 71 45

Email: gyomi@uclga.org

 

Find the PDF here. 

 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS:

MENAPAR (www.menapar.org)

The Middle East and North Africa Public Administration Research (MENAPAR) is a registered international NGO with its Secretariat in Bahrain and serving the MENA region. It is open to international membership. MENAPAR is the regional arm of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and also a member of the Global Coalition of Think Tank Networks (GCTTN) for South-South Cooperation. It is a joint effort of the Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) and UNDP-Bahrain with approximately 70 members (20 institutional and 50 individual), spanning 13 Arab and 3 non-Arab countries . MENAPAR in its intrinsic nature is a model of South-South Cooperation (SSC) for knowledge creation and exchanges that occur among member organizations and individuals from government and the civil society.

MENAPAR was conceptualized by BIPA in June 2013 and has since conducted annual conferences in Bahrain, Tunisia, Oman, Palestine and Spain (2014-2018) showcasing approximately 500 scientific papers. MENAPAR’s mandate is the development and implementation of an Arab regional research agenda that promotes evidence-based policy and decision-making in public administration through developing thinking and a research culture about strategic issues in Arab PA for human development; building research capacities within Arab PA and building networks and harnessing their collective efforts to set the cause of PA in the region for its citizens and residents.

Al-Akhawayn University (www.aui.ma)

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane is an independent, public, not-for-profit, coeducational, Moroccan university committed to educating future citizen-leaders of Morocco and the world through a globally oriented, English-language, liberal arts curriculum. The university enhances Morocco and engages the world through leading-edge educational and research programs, including continuing and executive education, upholds the highest academic and ethical standards, and promotes equity and social responsibility.

Founded in 1993 by Royal decree, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane opened its doors to students in January 1995. Based on the principles of diversity and an international outlook, the university’s mission is driven by values of human solidarity and tolerance. Al Akhawayn has modeled its administrative, pedagogical, and academic organization on the American university system, and English is the language of instruction. Still in its infancy, the university has already developed a national and international reputation for its unique identity and potential.

 

UCLG AFRICA AND ALGA

United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) is the umbrella organization and united voice that represents local Governments throughout the African continent. UCLG Africa brings together more than 350 million African citizens, more than 40 national associations and more than 2,000 cities. Promoting decentralization in Africa and within African Local Governments as autonomous and distinct spheres of Government, as well as contributing to the unity of the African continent thanks to the dynamism of the local Governments are parts of the main missions of UCLG Africa.

www.uclga.org – @UCLGAfrica

Created in 2009 and operational since 2016, the African Local Governments Academy (ALGA) Is a subsidiary body of UCLG Africa which mission is to promot quality standards for training and capacity-building targeting the Local Government, invest in the human capital of these entities and anchor local performance and professionalism in Africa (www.uclgafrica-alga.org ).

“If local government authorities are enhanced, then city and development of the people will follow,” Landing Sanneh, Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council, (Gambia)

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At the 3rd edition of the Forum of Territorial Managers and Training Institutes targeting the Local Level in Africa (FAMI), the Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council (Gambia), Mr. Landing Sanneh, highlighted the importance of investing in human capital at the local level in Africa. See the video below (also available as a transcript) recorded at the end of FAMI, which was organized by the African Local Government Academy (ALGA) of UCLG Africa, 10 -14 June 2019, in Ifrane (Morocco).

How have you enjoyed the 3 days at FAMI?                          

The course of these 3 days was very interesting and I would say, very relevant to my work in local government, taking into account the topical area that we are discussing, such as the renewal of area resources, financing in local governance and also the spectrum of capacity building. The key aspect was the sharing of experiences and information with other colleagues. I have learnt a lot from the experiences of mayors and others colleagues from across Africa and beyond. I think this is a big opportunity, which I will share with other colleagues when I return home.

Why is it important to invest in human capital at the local level in Africa?

I think investing in human capital is a prerequisite to sustainable development, because then you have the personnel and resources to do the work that is necessary to create development for our countries and our continent. Without rapid training and capacity enhancement, I think we will be going back and forth and won’t further the agenda or sustain the gains that we make. In essence, I think we can’t do anything much apart from hold and build capacity to make sure we create the foundation for our development, objectives and strategies.

What is your last word?

I appreciate this training and the opportunity given to us by ALGA, UCLG Africa and all the partners involved in this program. I will encourage the organizer to look at how much we can still expand on these kinds of activities and also see how many more activities will come. I believe that if local government authorities are not enhanced they will not see the fruits in national development. This is where we have the people, where we have the grassroots, and if local government authorities enhance capacities well enough then development of the people will happen and will be taken seriously. If people at the grassroots are developed then, of course, they will also develop nationally.