FEDERACION ESPAÑOLA DE MUNICIPIOS Y PROVINCIAS

The defending FEMP efficiency criteria in local aid for developing countries


The President of the FEMP, Pedro Castro, believes it is time for discouragement and policy together to strengthen development cooperation provided by Spain, reinforcing the roads already under way, as representing the program MUNICIPIA. Our country is a world leader in this field, as expressed by the Mayor of Getafe, so who chairs the Federation still considered a priority.



 
Pedro Castro has stepped in, along with the President, Patxi López, Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodriguez, and the Mayor of Donostia - San Sebastian, Odon Elorza, at the opening ceremony of the Third Meeting MUNICIPIA, held in this city. Along with them, also participated the President of the Confederation of Municipal Funds and Solidarity, Teodoro Romero.
 
After four years of operation, the program aims MUNICIPIA this meeting to give new impetus to the joint action by local governments, with support from central government, intended to open a space for reflection and debate on the role of the local development. Along with this objective, the organizers will announce the results of an evaluation of direct municipal cooperation, conducted by CONFOCOS and the Secretary of State for International Cooperation (SECI), and show the results and experiences of the program itself.
 
The President of the FEMP, referring to municipalities, said it is a firm commitment to aid effectiveness that is intended to strengthen the local world in developing countries and added that the current situation and the difficulties we face, " This meeting is an excellent opportunity to reiterate the commitment of local governments in the fight to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development. "
 
Pedro Castro explained that this commitment is reflected today in public policy at the service of which the Provincial Councils and put on their best knowledge and resources, "because solidarity is a priority in our municipalities." The strength of local development cooperation is evident, as noted, the fact that in 2009, official development assistance of Spanish local governments amounted to 147 million euros and more than one thousand local entities that made contributions to international aid. Of this amount, Latin America, was the most benefited, with more than 58 million.
 
Getafe Mayor also noted that, unlike the past, which started "forward" the need to help towns and cities in the South, the decade just ended marked the path of inter-administrative coordination necessary to apply principles of effectiveness that aid. "The speech effectively invites us to develop new instruments to realize a partnership established and led by our partners in the South, for results that we can evaluate," he added.
 
"Because the results are well worth the effort" is necessary to promote the knowledge and experience of each actor and join efforts to move towards more effective cooperation. "And MUNICIPIA Program responds to this approach," said the President of the FEMP.