The place and role of Regional authorities in today s world Professor Nicolas LEVRAT Director of the European Institute of the University of Geneva Nicolas.Levrat@ieug.unige.ch
Trying to answer two issues 1 st : Why should regional authorities be present at global level? 2 nd : On which modes could regional interests be represented at global level?
Three preliminary questions Why a presentation from a specialist of European integration on such a global issue? Is it important to define what regional authorities are? Existence of a variety of models of regional organisation Why then are regional authorities important? The importance of territorial coherence Just think about the consequences of the alternative to regional government
Why should regional authorities be present at global level? Yes, indeed, why? => Let s see three reasons why
1.Why should regional authorities be present at global level? In a globalized world, decisions taken at global level directly affect regional authorities Rules on public procurement Standards for protecting the environment Sanitary and health issues...
2.Why should regional authorities be present at global level? Global governance makes room for new actors Private actors emerge alongsidepublic actors: Business Third sector However, regional authorities are public actors States are not the sole public actors on today international stage States remain the key players, but their cooperation modes also increasingly include other levels/players: Supra-national: the International Organizations Infra-national: Regional (and local) actors
3.Why should regional authorities be present at global level? Moving towards models of multi-level governance The origin of the Theory The partnership principle in the European cohesion policy Other modes of multi-level governance within the European institutional decision-making system The relevance of Multi-level governance
2. Which mode of representation for regional interests at global level? (proposals based on the European experience)
2.Mode of representation for regional interests at global level Three possible modes of representation of regional interests Non-institutional representation Direct institutional representation Indirect institutional representation
2.1. Mode of representation for regional interests at global level: Non-institutional representation Individual non-institutional representation At international events (fairs, Summits, ) By international organisations (Brussels, NY, Geneva, Washington, ) Collective non-institutional representation Idem individual + can organize events Indirect representation of regional interests State official is from the region State official is from the region Elected representative in national/international institutions represents regional interests
2.1. The pros and cons of non-institutional representation On the positive side: Flexible Allows intervention at early stage of decision processes Bottom up On the negative side: Mode of representation associated with private actors behaviour (lobbying) Discrete action (lack of institutional buildup) Either non-institutional at all Or with no institutional benefit for the region Costs (especially for individual representation)
2.2. Mode of representation for regional interests at global level: Direct institutional representation Which regional authorities? The definition issue The designation process In which institutional framework? Are there global Organization(s) with relevant competencies Do they have decision-making processes that could accommodate regional authorities?
2.2.The pros and cons of direct institutional representation On the positive side: Recognition of the role of the regional authorities Possible stronger influence on the outcome of the decision process Socialisation process with the other actors within interinstitutional cooperation On the negative side: The issue of definition and designation is difficult to settle in a satisfactory way Complexification of decision-making procedures (may lead to a loss of efficiency of the whole institutional setting) May be an alibi and not efficiently serve regional interests Membership depends on State participation
2.3 Mode of representation for regional interests at global level: Indirect institutional representation Which regional authorities? Depends on the institutional organization of the State Depends on the existence of a national procedure (could be formal or informal) In which institutional framework? Are there global Organization(s) with relevant competencies The international organization/forum should allow States to be represented by regional authorities
2.2. The pros and cons of indirect institutional representation On the positive side: Usually more efficiency in the decision-making process Possible stronger influence on the outcome of the decision process Must be accomplish in tight cooperation with the State authorities On the negative side: No regional authority is itself represented (it s always through the State interests that regional/national interests will be represented) It strengthens the position of already strong regional authorities; neutral for the others Render the international policy-making of the State complex
Conclusions? None to be drawn at the opening of such two days Conference
By the way In Europe, all three modes of representation co-exist.
To know more: Nicolas LEVRAT, L Europe et ses collectivités territoriales. Réflexions sur l organisation et l exercice du pouvoir territorial dans un monde global, Bruxelles, Bern, NY, P.I.E.- Peter Lang, 2005 300 p.