Dear Reader,
Some time ago we to reconnect with the activities of the European Observatory of the Regions – Centre d’ Observation Européen des Régions (COEUR), an observatory highlighting the role, place and importance of regions in European democracy. In line with our convictions, we believe that regions are an essential pillar in European governance.
Founded by Professor Charles Ricq, COEUR acted as a think tank.
He was an eminent professor, sociologist and political scientist, always been oriented towards interdisciplinarity, never far from political reality. Humble by its excellence, his life was rooted in values.
To complete our own path towards a democratic and accountable Europe based on multi-level governance, he has added a new dimension, that of multi-stakeholder governance, which also gives place and responsibilities to the driving actors in Europe.
Cross-border and transregional cooperation was close to his heart as well. And rightly so. Because here people are looking for encounters. This is where we feel the greatest importance of the European project, convinced that borders between peoples cannot remain.
By creating the COEUR in his native biotope, he manifested himself in Geneva as a European “on the shores of the Union”. Convinced of the fertil terroir of Valle d’Aosta, he contributed to the relocation of our headquarters to Aosta.
With a big “heart”, he fought for the idea of regionalism and therefore for its centre . The fact that he worked meticulously to collect thousands of books and articles on regionalism and localism led to a unique library in Europe.
Eight years after his death, we thought about how we could breathe new life into the COEUR, relaying to his clear principles, inspired texts and ideas.
With Mrs. Sylvie Bancod, Vice-President, expert in international relations and former researcher at COEUR and Mr. Enrico Martial, Director, former Secretary- General of the Conference of European Legislative Assemblies and journalist, we hope to revitalize the COEUR, with reflection, analysis, debate and, at this stage, digital meetings to contribute to a ‘reasonable democracy’.
At a moment when so many challenges are presenting themselves simultaneously for Europe in the world, enforced democracy, security, competitiveness, care for the environment, welfare and social progress are essential for our future. Hereby all levels of governance and all actors in society must cooperate and contribute.
We offer you an open forum to meet already through the exchange of ideas and reflection.
Luc Van den Brande
President
Former Minister – President of Flanders – Belgium and former President of the EU Committee of the Regions