3.1 Citizen participation

 As stated in the “Governance and Citizen Consultation and participation” conference’s issue paper (ECN Brussels meeting November 2006), citizen consultation and participation have become highly relevant and is indeed a core issue in developing local democracy. It is recommended by the OECD that the interaction between the citizen and the government is strengthening – but it is as well both a demand and a wish among the citizens and the public institutions themselves.

The Edge Cities Network will focus on how the partners are working with citizen participation and consultation, and how the interaction can be further strengthened.     

3.2. Children & Youth participation

 “A direct way to foster a next generation of conscious and committed citizens as well as the next generations of local politicians”. This was stated during the presentation of the Fingal Youth Council at the ‘Governance and Citizen Consultation and participation Conference’ in Brussels, November 2006. The involvement and commitment of children and young people are of great importance for the development and progress of the future local communities. Furthermore, the new ideas and activities of children and young people are contributing to engender innovation and change.

3.3 The Edge Cities Network will focus on how the partners are involving and cooperating with the children and young people. The partners will exchange ideas and knowledge within this field, and get to learn about the different initiatives and results of the edge cities municipalities.