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Secretary-General To Address Local Government Conference In Scotland

10 March 2005

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will address the Third Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will address the Third Commonwealth Local Government Conference, taking place in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, on 15-17 March 2005. The Forum, titled 'Deepening Local Democracy' will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The conference is organised by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), the Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Executive. It aims to promote local democracy for the Commonwealth as a practical tool for ministers and local governments to help in decentralising decision-making and services, and in promoting good local governance.

The Secretary-General will speak on the importance of strengthening democracy in the Commonwealth. Commenting ahead of the event, he said: "In an age of increasing scepticism about politics and politicians, it is crucial to reaffirm the power of democracy to change people's lives. The CLGF plays an important role in ensuring that all citizens feel they have ownership of their local democracy. This event will highlight the work of the CLGF, helping citizens to take part in democratic processes at the local level in order to influence decisions that affect their lives."

Mr McKinnon stated that local democracy can play an important part in promoting development, eradicating poverty and improving the quality of life. He said the Commonwealth Secretariat and the CLGF are working together on several projects to support and strengthen local democracy, including election observation, training and institution-building.

Recommendations from the conference will be used by local governments and associations, national and provincial/state governments and other stakeholders.

The conference will be followed by the General Meeting of the CLGF on 18 March to discuss a formal Declaration and Action Programme drawn from the recommendations of the conference, which will help shape CLGF's future policies, research and support for projects around local democracy, and feed into Commonwealth policy and agenda setting.


CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 225 9 March 2005

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