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Networks of subnational entities in governance for sustainable developmentAn assessment
Sander HappaertsInstitute for International and European Policy
Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studieslunch seminar 27 May 2009
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Content
• Introducing the topic
• Inter-subnational networks: conceptual framework
• Illustration: ENCORE and nrg4SD
• A member’s experience: Flanders
• Future perspectives
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Introducing the topic
• Increasing agency of subnational entities in global governance
• Subnational entities in governance for SD– Important role
• Implementation responsibilities• Often far-reaching competences• Closeness to citizens and stakeholders
– Interested in multilateral policy processes! not recognized as decision-makers
– Complexity and uncertainty → desire for policy learning
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Introducing the topic (2)
- lack of representation in multilateral bodies
- desire for policy learning ↓Inter-subnational networks
“associations formed between subnational entities of different states whose ultimate purpose is to act as pressure groups in multilateral institutions, and foster cooperation based upon common interests, needs and aspirations” (adapted from Sodupe, 1999, p. 62)
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→ External vs internal dimension
External dimension• A direct route to multilateral decision-making• Identity politics
Development of an international image
• European perspective: New RegionalismFormal vs informal mechanismsCooperation encouraged by European Commission
• Recently: activity at global level• Influence?
Conceptual framework
INTRA-STATE EXTRA-STATE
INTRA-EUROPEAN MULTI-LEVEL ROUTE EUROPEAN ROUTE
EXTRA-EUROPEAN NATIONAL ROUTE DIRECT ROUTE
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→ External vs internal dimension
External dimension• A direct route to multilateral decision-making• Identity politics
Development of an international image
• European perspective: New RegionalismFormal vs informal mechanismsCooperation encouraged by European Commission
• Recently: activity at global level• Influence?
Conceptual framework
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Conceptual framework (2)
Internal dimension• Joint approach to common problems
1970s: cross-border cooperation
Later: shared political or economic interests
• Policy learning, best practices
• Bilateral partnerships
• Networking, informal cooperatione.g. coordinating for Council of Ministers
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Inter-subnational networks and SD
regional-European scope global scope
no specific SD attention
ECREIN (Eur. Clusters and Regions for Eco-innovation & Eco-investments Network)
IRE (Innovating Regions in Europe)
REGLEG (Conference of European Regions with Legislative Powers)
AIRF (Association Internationale des Régions Francophones)
SD attention or activities
AER (Assembly of European Regions)
CPMR (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions in Europe)
Four Motors for Europe
specific SD component
ENCORE (Environmental Conference of the European Regions)
exclusive SD focus
RES (Network of European Regions on Education for Sustainability)
SER (Sustainable European Regions)
nrg4SD (Network of Regional Governments for SD)
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ENCORE
Environmental Conference of the European Regions
Creation• 1993, by Walloon government
Goals• Discussion forum for subnational Environment ministers• Influencing EU environmental policy • Larger role for subnational entities in policy-making and
implementation
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ENCORE (2)
Organization• 2-yearly ministerial conference• Rotating presidency and secretariat• Steering group
Membership• Not formalized, no obligations• Broad participation• Since 2001: new EU MSs
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ENCORE (3)
Activities• High-level conference
subnational ministers, European Commissioner, EU officials
• Resolutions, action plans• Since 2004: thematic working groups• Information-sharing• Informal cooperation
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nrg4SD
Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development
Creation• 2002, Johannesburg
Goals• Representing subnational entities at the global level,
expressing their viewpoint in global governance for SD• International recognition for the role of subnational
entities• Information-sharing, partnerships• Promoting SD at the subnational level • North-South relations
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nrg4SD (2)
Organization• 2 co-chairs• Secretariat and continental focal points• Steering committee• Annual general assembly• 3-yearly summit
Membership• 29 subnational entities• 7 associations• 2 ‘stakeholders’
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nrg4SD (3)
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nrg4SD (4)
Activities• Accreditation (UNFCCC, UNEP, UNCSD)• Policy papers, declarations• Information-sharing, best practices• Partnerships• Informal cooperation
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Flanders
Participation• Desired partner• General policy line: proactive presence
↔ for SD: low political investment• nrg4SD
– Co-founder– Initially: active – Since 2007: growing scepticism
• ENCORE– Initially: low profile– 2008: first ministerial presence
• Future?
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Flanders (2)
Policy impact• Bilateral partnerships (with privileged EU partners, e.g. Basque
Country, Catalonia, Lombardia, North Rhine-Westphalia, Wales)
• Informal cooperation (e.g. Austrian and German Länder)
Evaluation• External dimension
– Opportunities of extra-state route are not exploited– Importance of identity politics
• Internal dimension– Networking and bilateral cooperation with European partners– Policy learning?
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Future perspectives
• Growing cooperation and interdependence between networkse.g. FOGAR (Forum of Global Associations of Regions)
• Increasing cooperation with other actors– Intergovernmental, e.g. UNDP, UNEP– Non-governmental, e.g. Climate Group
• Debate: state or non-state actors?
• Agenda focus shifts towards climate changeCopenhagen as the next big event
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Thank you!
Sander HappaertsInstitute for International and European Policy, KULeuvenParkstraat 45 box 3602BE-3000 Leuven
+32 16 32 30 27