Local Governments have been allowed an active role in the European Union and International context during the course of the past few years. Cities, as promoters of local development, have earned their place in the process of political proposals and financing programmes of the European Union and the United Nations.

On the basis of the principle of subsidiarity, extended to the institutional level closest to the citizen, Local Governments become formally recognised actors in the institutional charters of the European Union, in the proposed Convention on the future of Europe and in United Nations development programmes.

The City of Venice plays an active role in this process, which sees in the sphere of government nearest to the citizen, that of Local Government, a public forum in which solid work can be done for the active safeguard and implementation of human rights and for the construction of sustainable development.

The City of Venice is in Europe and in the world in its day-to-day action: by means of constructive dialogue with other communities, local administrations and International bodies, our City has a precious and important opportunity for local growth, to the benefit of its citizens and local institutions. It is for this reason and with these goals in mind that the City is an counterpart of the European Union, the United Nations and local government networks, at national and International level.

The City of Venice acts at European level (in agreement with Regional and central governments when required) by promoting initiatives and projects in priority areas for the growth of our Administration and of our local community:

* urban regeneration
* social policies
* culture and intercultural dialogue
* human rights
* environment and local sustainable development

The dialogue with the European Commission and the European Parliament enables our Administration and our City to build up and foster daily relations of cooperation with other cities both in and outside Europe, learning from the experience of others and firmly strengthening the process of building a united, plural and democratic Europe. From this point of view particular importance is attached to contacts with cities in South-Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia, to which Venice is naturally and historically close.

The City of Venice also acts as an active partner in decentralised cooperation programmes, taking part in European Union and United Nations schemes in support of human development (founded on the growth of the civil, political, social and economic rights of women and men) and the sustainable development of the world's local communities in developing countries.

Venice is a world City, present on the world stage on behalf of its citizens, European citizens and the citizens of the world. The City of Venice has taken shape, during the centuries, thanks to dialogue and exchange between different cultures, and from this exchange Venice has gained its unique beauty, which is a cultural, artistic and natural heritage of humanity. Venice does not surrender its uniqueness and specificity entering into relations with the world; on the contrary, it enhances and safeguards these qualities, so that they become a vital asset shared by all.

We, as a City Administration, have these aims in mind in contributing to the international networks of local governments, working in harmony with the cities of Europe and of the world which, as we do, wish to improve the living conditions of the people who inhabit the Cities of our planet.
 
 
The Action of the City Administration 2000-2004