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Today, the importance of people’s empowerment and the role of local authorities in ensuring an integrated economic and social development are recognised among academia and in the policy making worldwide. Colombia has proven to have lots to share in the fields of local economic development and social inclusion. Indeed, Colombia's experience can contribute to the identification of the essential factors of success for an efficient policy delivery drawing from the successful practices recently implemented in various major cities.
Over the past few years, Colombia has successfully undergone a decentralisation process. The urgent need now is to strengthen the capacities of the regions, stimulating local economic and employment development in order to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the municipalities and regions. The National Ministry of Planning (DNP) is hosting this event as the entity responsible for the regulation and coordination of economic development policies in the country.
With the support of the national government, the Colombian local authorities are playing a key role in facilitating the emergence of prosperity and in combating inequality and poverty at local level. In 2008, the 32 regions and 1101 municipalities defined their development plans 2008-2011 which were launched in June 2008. The majority of the government programmes that preceded these plans and their content have included objectives and strategies aiming at creating local environments that provide institutional development and socio-economic capacities. The current plans are not the exception, and the city of Bogotá is the perfect place to discuss and exchange ideas on the essential elements necessary to achieve a long-term economic and social prosperity at local level, led by an effective public administration and a comprehensive strategy.
Download here the full rationale of the conference.
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