South-South cooperation in the field of participatory democracy

OIDP Conference Canoas

Representatives of local, regional and national governments, international organizations, associations, researchers, academics and civil society from twenty-five countries met in Canoas, Brazil, on the third, fourth and fifth of June for 14th International Observatory of Participatory Democracy (IODP) Conference, in the year of the celebration of the 25 years of the participatory budgetIn the framework of the Conference, a delegation of Mozambique led by the President of the Municipal Council of Matola, Calisto Moses Cossa, was in Canoas to learn first-hand about projects in the areas of public security and citizen participation.

"We have much to be learned from one another," said the Mayor of Canoas, Jairo Jorge, claiming that he will soon return the visit to Matola to for projects developed by the city of one million inhabitants.

Canoas and Matola are involved in the decentralized cooperation project Brazil-Mozambique, funded by the European Union and other partners, coordinated by the UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments) in conjunction with the FNP (national Front of Mayors), ANAMM (National Association of municipalities of Mozambique), ASF (architects without borders) and the network CIMES UNESCO of Intermediary cities.

Excited with the prospects for exchange, the President of the Municipal Council of Matola, reaffirmed his interest in further knowledge about participatory management and having the support of Canoas in other strategic areas of governance.

The delegation presented a positive impression upon the experiences of participation and public security that Canoas shared. "These tools will allow us to move forward, clearly and objectively, to meet the important demands in our city".

Next actions that will make it possible to carry out the exchange of experiences with prospects to mutual support on the path of participatory management were jointly defined.

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