Advanced Seminar in Brussels July 2012
Advanced seminar: Decentralisation & Local Governance
The purpose of the advanced seminar is threefold:
- to critically take stock of the new policy agendas and opportunities at field level for promoting decentralisation and local governance;
- to exchange knowledge, lessons of experience and good practices on how to engage strategically in the political arena of decentralisation with a view to achieve better development and governance outcomes;
- to contribute to developing a critical mass among EC staff holding the necessary skills to support decentralisation processes efficiently and professionally.
Agenda:
| Quick Access | |||
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| Monday 02 July | |
| Review of the country context and the evolving international development framework | |
| 9.30 – 10.00 |
Session 1.1. Introduction Welcome by Angelo Baglio (Head of Unit D2) Roundtable of the participants Presentation of the seminar objectives and methodology by ECDPM |
| 10.00 – 11.00 |
Session 1.2. The context in which participants work: Place, roles and challenges of decentralisation Presentation of the key findings coming out of the survey sent to participants in advance – ECDPM Work in Buzz groups to explore the context in which Delegations operate |
| 11.00 – 11.20 | Coffee break |
| 11.20 – 11.45 |
Restitution of the buzz groups Discussion around the findings/key points discussed by the participants |
| 11.45 – 13.00 |
Session 1.3. Decentralisation from many angles First reaction by Emmanuel Gayraud, followed by discussion and Q&A |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 – 15.30 | |
| 15.30 – 15.45 | Coffee break |
| 15.45 – 17.15 |
Session 1.5. The evolving international development context with regard to decentralisation and local governance Buzz groups and restitution on key implications of this new agenda and identification of new windows of opportunities to invest in governance |
| Tuesday 03 July | |
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Managing the political dimensions of decentralisation
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| 9.00 – 9.15 | Key notes of Day 1 |
| 9.15 – 10.45 |
Session 2.1. How are EU Delegations addressing the political dimensions of decentralisation Q&A |
| 10.45 – 11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11.00 – 13.00 |
Session 2.2 Adopting a political economy approach to decentralisation Presentation and practical exercise on the PEA approach by Francois Vaillancourt Restitution and Q&A |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 – 15.30 |
Session 2.3. Using different strategies (and aid modalities) to strengthen the political and societal base and demand for decentralisation Presentation on Decentralisation and Budget Support by Jean Barbe Presentation on the case of Ghana by Daria Fane Short presentation by ECDPM on choice of aid modalities in support of decentralisation Q&A |
| 15.30 – 15.45 | Coffee break |
| 15.45 – 17.15 |
Session 2.4. Organising an effective multi-actor policy/political dialogue around decentralisation Presentation of conceptual framework in line with PPCM chapter, and key lessons by Clara Molera Buzz groups and restitution |
| Wednesday 04 July | |
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Using decentralisation as a trigger to foster better development outcomes and governance
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| 9.00 – 9.30 |
Short presentation on the ‘logic’ behind Day 3 by ECDPM |
| 9.30 – 10.45 |
Session 3.1. Decentralisation and improved public service delivery
Interactive panel discussions involving 3 – 4 Delegations Central African Republic, Lesotho, Morocco and Philippines Q&A |
| 10.45 – 11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11.00 – 13.00 |
Session 3.2 Integrating local governments in sector support programmes Presentation on Budget Support in Decentralised environments by Jorge Rodriguez Q&A Presentation on Broadening the scope of the debate further than Aid Modality: What do we need to know about the Local Public Sector in order to design effective development interventions? By Jorge Rodriguez Q&A Buzz groups and Restitution |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 – 15.30 |
Session 3.3. Decentralisation and inclusive growth/local economic development Short framing presentation by Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi Presentation of a practical case study (Mozambique) Q&A |
| 15.30 – 15.45 | Coffee break |
| 15.45 – 17.15 |
Session 3.4. Decentralisation and improving domestic accountability Short framing presentation by ECDPM Q&A Practical exercise + Restitution |
| 18h-21h | Dining cocktail offered by DEVCO |
| Thursday 05 July | |
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What does all this mean for future EU engagement in decentralisation and local governance?
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| 9.00 – 9.15 | |
| 9.15 – 10.45 |
Session 4.1. This morning session is kept free for additional working groups During the first three days participants can highlight the pending topics that they feel have not been covered – discussions/exercises/panels will then be organised around these. |
| 10.45 – 11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11.00 – 13.00 | Session 4.2. Grand panel with external experts |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 – 14.45 |
Session 4.2. Overall synthesis and prospective analysis on changes required in EC approaches to decentralisation and local governance Plenary discussion |
| 14.45 – 15.45 | Session 4.3. Agreeing on a future path for EU support to decentralisation and local governance: strategic and operational challenges |
| 15.45 – 16.00 | Coffee break |
| 16.00 – 16.30 | Conclusions and Closure |
Participants give their views on the workshop: what attracted them to attending, any surprises so far and what they want to see fin terms of follow up actions.