New challenges for “Glocal” Municipalities
Recent international projections point out that in 2030 around 60% of world population will be living in urban areas. This reality will imply changes in the current socioeconomic, cultural and environmental approaches. In this context, the role of Municipalities, as privileged actors in the area of development and cooperation, is perceived as crucial for strengthening the 3 pillars of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental.
When faced with new local, national and international challenges that affect the daily life of many european cities as: high unemployment rates, financial constraints, strong social tension and environmental pressure, Municipalities, that seek to enhance self and common interested of populations, have competencies to give a solid and effective answer to these challenges. However, the answer cannot be dissociated of global realities.
In an interdependent world, it is necessary to reinforce global partnerships for development, and all the actors – mainly Municipalities – must pursue the commitments assumed at an international level. When, in September 2000, leaders of governments of 189 countries, including Spain, met in the United Nations for the Millennium Summit and signed the Millennium Declaration, committing to promote education and global partnership and fight, together, against poverty, hunger, gender inequality, environmental degradation and HIV/AIDS, also the Municipalities assumed the commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), becoming fundamental actors to its implementation. With only 3 years left for the deadline established to reach a more just and sustainable world, there is still a long way ahead.
Agenda 21, as well as the Millennium Declaration of Local Governments, that underlines the need to “strengthen local governments to reach the MDGs until 2015, through a renewed citizens participation and effective partnerships with local communities and the private sector” give to local decision makers the legitimacy and responsibility to lead an effort to the fulfilment of MDGs, working together with the communities in which they are involved, and to associate themselves to the creation of a Sustainable World.
The Campaign Go Local: Towards a Sustainable City aims to encourage Portuguese, Spanish and Bulgarian Municipalities to follow a road of sustainability and support them to be an active voice in Development at a Glocal level. Only then, it will be possible to give an efficient, effective and legitimate answer to the challenges and opportunities with which communities and nations all over the world are faced.
Because Sustainable Development is a shared responsibility, what will be your role?
Recent international projections point out that in 2030 around 60% of world population will be living in urban areas. This reality will imply changes in the current socioeconomic, cultural and environmental approaches. In this context, the role of Municipalities, as privileged actors in the area of development and cooperation, is perceived as crucial for strengthening the 3 pillars of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental.
When faced with new local, national and international challenges that affect the daily life of many european cities as: high unemployment rates, financial constraints, strong social tension and environmental pressure, Municipalities, that seek to enhance self and common interested of populations, have competencies to give a solid and effective answer to these challenges. However, the answer cannot be dissociated of global realities.
In an interdependent world, it is necessary to reinforce global partnerships for development, and all the actors – mainly Municipalities – must pursue the commitments assumed at an international level. When, in September 2000, leaders of governments of 189 countries, including Spain, Bulgaria and Portugal, met in the United Nations for the Millennium Summit and signed the Millennium Declaration, committing to promote education and global partnership and fight, together, against poverty, hunger, gender inequality, environmental degradation and HIV/AIDS, also the Municipalities assumed the commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), becoming fundamental actors to its implementation. With only 3 years left for the deadline established to reach a more just and sustainable world, there is still a long way ahead.
Agenda 21, as well as the Millennium Declaration of Local Governments, that underlines the need to “strengthen local governments to reach the MDGs until 2015, through a renewed citizens participation and effective partnerships with local communities and the private sector” give to local decision makers the legitimacy and responsibility to lead an effort to the fulfilment of MDGs, working together with the communities in which they are involved, and to associate themselves to the creation of a Sustainable World.
The Campaign Go Local: Towards a Sustainable City aims to encourage Portuguese, Spanish and Bulgarian Municipalities to follow a road of sustainability and support them to be an active voice in Development at a Glocal level. Only then, it will be possible to give an efficient, effective and legitimate answer to the challenges and opportunities with which communities and nations all over the world are faced.
Because Sustainable Development is a shared responsibility, what will be your role?
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May - 2024 
