Invitation to participate in the conference “The Role of the Associations of Local and Regional Governments in Social Dialogue: Accomplishments and Prospects in Latvia and Europe”
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) invites you to attend a high-level conference “The Role of the Associations of Local and Regional Governments in Social Dialogue: Accomplishments and Prospects in Latvia and Europe” (#lps25), which in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is held in honor of 25th anniversary of the LALRG. The conference will take place in the National Library of Latvia (room „Ziedoņa zāle”) on 16 September 2016, 3 Mūkusalas street, Riga.
There will be a debate on the cooperation of self-governments and social partners in Latvia and Europe held during the conference, as well as discussions on the best practices and prospects for the future. Mr Markku Marrkula (the President of the European Committee of the Regions) and Mr Marc Cools (the Rapporteur on the Latvian democracy and the Belgian delegation president to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe) have both already approved their participation in the conference. Latvian experience will be shared by Mr Andris Jaunsleinis (Chairman of the LALRG), Mr Pēteris Krīgeris (Chairman of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia), Mr Ojārs Spārītis (President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences) and Ms Līga Meņģelsone (Director-General of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia).
It is planned that the conference will bring together more than 150 participants - mayors, representatives of state institutions, social partners and the media. The conference languages will be English and Latvian.
Please register for the conference by 5 September 2016, using the following link: https://www.registration.lv/seminars_septembri/en?register
Moderator of conference: Mrs Žaneta Ozoliņa, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Latvia.
Agenda
9:00 – 9:30 Registration of participants
9:30 – 10:00 Welcome coffee
10:00 – 10:30 Opening of the conference: introductory speeches
- Mr Andris Jaunsleinis, Chairman, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
- Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue, Vice President (video message)
- Mr Māris Kučinskis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia
- Mr Kaspars Gerhards, Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development
10:30 -12:30 Part I
- The increasing role of partnership principle between local and regional governments and central government in shaping future legislation influencing the potential of economic and social development of municipalities in the EU
Mr Markku Markkula, President, European Committee of the Regions
- The role and impact of the local and regional governments in social dialogue in the member states of the Council of Europe
Mr Marc Cools, Rapporteur for local democracy on Latvia and President of the Belgian national delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE)
- The role of European associations of local and regional municipalities in social dialogue
Mr Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General, Council of European Municipalities and Regions
Discussion
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-15:30 Part II
- The experience of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments in negotiations with central government
Mr Andris Jaunsleinis, Chairman, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
- The experience of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments in social dialogue at national scale
Mr Māris Pūķis, Senior Adviser, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
- The experience of social partners in cooperation with the association of local and regional governments
Mr Pēteris Krīgers, President, Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia
Mrs Līga Meņģelsone, Director-General, Employers’ Confederation of Latvia
Mr Ojārs Spārītis, President, Latvian Academy of Sciences
Discussion
15:30-15.45 Conclusions
Mrs Žaneta Ozoliņa, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Latvia
Mr Māris Pūķis, Senior Adviser, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
Contact person in Riga:
Mudīte Priede,
Secretary General,
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
Phone: +371 29197601
e-mail: mudite.priede@lps.lv
More information for journalists:
Jana Bunkus,
PR Advisor
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
Phone: +371 67508530
e-mail: jana.bunkus@lps.lv