2023-06-07
| Brussels

On the eve of the General Assembly, the Governing Board of ALDA elects Nataša Vučković as new Vice President

ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy

On Wednesday, June 7th 2023, the members of the Governing Board of ALDA gathered in the premises of Etterbeek’s Municipal Hall, in Brussels, to discuss about key topics for the future of the Association and to prepare the ground for the upcoming General Assembly.

The meeting began with the observance of a minute’s silence, in memory of Didier Duboisset, former Governing Board member and then Observer, who passed away last week. Didier was remembered by all the board members, especially by the words of ALDA President Oriano Otocan and Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, who reaffirmed everyone’s condolences for this sudden death, and the will to keep alive the memory of Didier, who had done so much for the Association.

ALDA welcomes and congratulates with Nataša Vučković, new Vice President of the Association

This Governing Board was also characterised by new arrivals and important appointments.

On the one hand, Irina Sahakyan-Vetter was welcomed as representative of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

Then, in light of the recent changes in the Governing Board’s composition, the Board decided to elect a new Vice President for the Association, by conferring the position on Nataša Vučković, Founder, Secretary General and Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy Foundation (Serbia), member of ALDA.

On behalf of the whole Board and Association, we are all extremely proud of this decision, considering Ms Vučković’s commitment and dedication to the cause of local democracy, good governance and European integration.

After such an important moment, the meeting went on with crucial updates on ALDA’s activities and plans for the future, with the presentation of the 2023 Programme of ALDA, outlining the present challenges and the perspectives for the year to come, in terms of strategy, internal management, events and activities planned.

Even more strategic and relevant has been the presentation of the draft strategic plans for 2024-2028, a key document for the next steps of ALDA and its strategy – that give a continuation and further develop the actual strategic views 2020-2024.

The Governing Board went on with updates on the Local Democracy Agency’s network, with particular accent on the flagship initiative for the development of the LDAs in Ukraine, up to the consideration of some essential points in view of the ALDA General Assembly, the following day, 8 June 2023, also in the Etterbeek Municipal Hall.