concerned by economic development and related
issues. It would appear that, for the moment, this is the most
essential priority for the Regions. This is why we focused on the new
Committee 1 or "Economy and Regional Development" Committee
when creating the new structure.
Another new element in the AER is that we now have
our own long-term strategic plan for the very first time.
Finally, another major change concerns the
question of Institutional affairs. In the former structure, this issue
was managed by a separate Committee. A standing Committee has now been
created within the Bureau. In other words, it has become the very
centre of the AER.
How are decisions taken within the AER?
The AER is dependent upon the commitment of its
members. The AER statutes stipulate that Committee and Bureau decisions
must be taken unanimously as far as possible. I feel that this is
important as the AER is both a regional political movement and yet a
totally apolitical assembly in its actual operations, creating an
interesting paradox! Regional politicians are very pragmatic.
What will be the main projects for the AER in
coming years?
Our strategic plan for the period 2007-2012
includes an entire chapter on our future and our five major projects (editor's note, cf. frame below).
In the future, we are hoping to increase the
number of members and cover almost all of Europe. We also intend to
bring together all organisations working in collaboration with the
Regions, to be able to speak with one single and united voice and
increase our strength and visibility.
Finally, we wish to bring our work ever closer to
the citizens, for example via our youth schemes.
The 5 main projects for the AER
1- A European
Regional Training Institute (ERTI) combining public administration
bodies throughout Europe
2- A
Knowledge-Exchange Platform (KEP) enabling AER members to create
on-line working communities for issues of common
interest
3- A Centre for
Regional Excellence (CRE) which will encourage good practices and
excellence at all levels of regional policy and governance
4- A Business
Development Unit (BDU) for AER activities, allowing the association to
better access certain sources of financing, react to calls for tender
and act as consultants
5- Regional
Project Management Units responsible for executing initiatives in a
country in the context of the AER
You were renewed as AER Secretary General at the
General Assembly in Palma. What exactly does this position involve?
The position of Secretary General involves
ensuring the functioning of the Secretariat with the Committee,
Programme and Project coordinators. It also involves managing the
network represented by the AER. Its members are active members which
are seriously committed to the projects and act as a lobbying group
within the association.
What has actually changed in the new structure
implemented early this year?
To begin with, I would like to point out that,
prior to the adoption of our new strategy and the change in structure,
we dispatched a questionnaire to each of our members. The answers
to these questionnaires made two elements clear: firstly, that two
separate branches exist in terms of the commitment of our members, one
concerning politics and the other being more hands-on or
practical-based. Some of our members are very active in both branches,
while other members prefer one of the two. Secondly, all of our members
are
