Session of Youth Deputies for the European Week of Local Democracy

On October 18, 2013, a solemn plenary session of the fifth session of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Youth Council was held, which was dedicated to the European Week of Local Democracy.

To begin with, let me digress a little and outline some provisions.

«European Week of Local Democracy» (ETMD) is an annual pan-European campaign launched by the Council of Europe on 15 October 2007.

The week involves simultaneous national and local events in all Council of Europe member states with the aim of intensifying the processes of disseminating information on the principles and achievements of local and regional democracy in Europe, promoting citizens’ awareness of the possibilities of solving local issues and their involvement in making administrative decisions.

By decision of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) – the leading theme of ETMD 2013 was determined: «Active public position: voting, involvement, participation».

Lack of trust in government institutions and politicians, political apathy – are widespread phenomena at the level of local and regional self-government.

ETMD – a pan-European initiative of the Council of Europe, coordinated by the CEMR, aimed at developing dialogue between local elected representatives and citizens, which will help to overcome the democratic deficit. The main theme chosen for the week in 2013 envisages steps to improve the accountability of deputies at local and regional level. A key element of democracy at local level is close interaction between citizens and local elected representatives. The main theme of the 2013 ETD is in line with the «European Year of Citizens», declared by the European Union. These activities will complement each other.

Now for the meeting itself…

At the beginning of the meeting, the Chairman of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Youth Council Andriy Volodymyrovych Ivanchenko presented the Youth Council’s Certificate of Honor to the deputy of the regional council Serhiy Grachev for his services to youth in promoting the formation of state and regional youth policy.

Andriy Ivanchenko informed the youth deputies about the work carried out over the past six months. In particular, the chairman of the council emphasized the holding of the regional competition «School of Young Parliamentarians» and called on the youth deputies of the region to intensify their work with youth in the regions of the region in order to popularize this competition.

The attendees heard the report of the Youth Council Committee on Education and Science on the work carried out on the participation of youth deputies in the 2013 ZNO. A report on the activities of youth deputies for half a year was also heard.

The Chairman of the Youth Council Committee on Legal Policy, Regulations and Youth Ethics Valeriy Neschotny reported to the attendees on the draft decision reg. No. 26 dated 08.04.2013 «On recommendations for public hearings on the topic: »Development of youth policy in Zaporizhzhia region”, which was adopted as a basis at the last session and sent to the committee for further development. Based on the results of the consideration, the deputies adopted this decision in general.

Youth deputy Oleksiy Negoda reported on the work carried out by the working group on public relations and external relations over the past six months.

Deputy Chairman of the Council Artur Nikitenko suggested that young parliamentarians create a working group to develop proposals for the Law of Ukraine «On Volunteer Activities», which would include young deputies, the president of the All-Ukrainian Federation «Spas», and the coordinator in Zaporizhzhia of the All-Ukrainian volunteer project «Create Good, Ukraine!». The closing speech on this issue was delivered by the president of the All-Ukrainian Federation «Spas», Oleksandr Prytula, who thanked the Youth Council for its active work. The Youth Council supported this initiative and unanimously supported this draft decision.

At the end of the plenary session, the Youth Council adopted the draft decision proposed by Artur Nikitenko «On the appeal of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Youth Council to the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council and the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration regarding the need to adopt a separate regional program to support youth.»

The head of the regional youth council, Andriy Ivanchenko, proposed to the youth parliamentarians the draft decision «On the reorganization of the committees and presidium of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Youth Council», which was supported by a majority of votes. This draft decision established five committees of the council and changed the personal composition of the presidium.

The closing speech was delivered by the deputy of the regional council, secretary of the Zaporizhzhia regional council commission on humanitarian issues Ihor Grozovsky, who thanked the Youth Council for its active public work.

This ended the plenary meeting of the fifth session.

Karyaka Artem

student group E-510

press service of the trade union committee of students of ZNTU