By Andros Karagiannis *:
One of the main goals set by the President of the European Commission through the publication of the White Paper on the Future of Europe is to make the institution of the European Union more accessible to the ordinary citizen. There is no doubt that the EU institutions trapped behind technocratic and distant practices that make them inaccessible to European citizens, who are therefore absent from the decision-making centers of their daily lives.
Numerous surveys and studies carried out on the needs of the European institutions show that European citizens ultimately have more confidence in elected representatives for policy-making. However, it is accepted that no one studies to become a municipal councilor or mayor, since involvement and offering to the public is a human right of everyone. What is happening is that many elected officials are seeking continuing education on their own, after their election, while others consider this to be neither possible nor necessary, as the position of political leader alone is a form of education. which of course is not the case.
Local authorities need the necessary training to carry out their duties properly. At the same time, they need continuous training to better understand the problems, needs and demands of citizens. In fact, from the point of view of the EU local elected representatives are required, through appropriate training, to be able to highlight its benefits. Proximity and subsidiarity are important conditions that, together with the principles of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and solidarity, can bring Europe closer to its citizens.
It is worth noting at this point that the way in which local government policy is pursued shows whether we, as elected representatives, are moving at a European pace or are content with the local, regional and national model. The implementation of European directives and regulations, for example in terms of water supply, waste collection and recycling, the use of energy to save resources, the claim of European funds and the cooperation between local and regional authorities with other European countries, betrays the relationship with the EU
Local authorities are therefore the link between Europe and ordinary citizens. That is why it is imperative to use the Erasmus program to train elected representatives. The Erasmus program has been in operation for 30 years and has already offered the opportunity to five million Europeans to travel abroad and get to know other cultures. Young people, students, pupils, trainees, educators, athletes, volunteers lived thanks to Erasmus the unique experience of staying abroad for a short time, working, training and offering their services in the countries where they were hosted and seen useful to their local community.
Through the creation of a branch of the Erasmus program for local and regional elected representatives, pilot training and exchange plans and exchanges of good practice could be implemented. The exchange of effective practices through visits to other countries helps and gives the opportunity to learn, consolidate and apply.
The training of elected officials can benefit the citizens themselves, provided that elected representatives are aware of European funding, utilization and implementation policies at local and regional level. European leaders, recognizing some weaknesses in the way the EU works, are trying to bring Europe closer to its citizens through local authorities.
We declare our readiness to contribute to this effort and to become wiser and more European capable.
* Mayor of Deryneia