Lebanese local authorities must support local economic development in current times of crisis
Thu 13.10.2022
Beirut, 13 October 2022 – The Directorate General of Local Administrations and Councils (DGLAC) invited municipalities and unions of municipalities (UoMs) to discuss local economic development and municipal crisis response during the fifth episode of the DGLAC talk show series that was held in Beirut on 13 October and broadcasted online. The talk show series is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), and funded by the European Union.
The discussion highlighted the important role of municipalities and unions of municipalities in local economic development and the need for local authorities to contribute to a robust local economic development response within the context of the current economic crisis. The panel discussion and the Q&A session allowed municipal representatives and participants to think about their role in local economic development and explore possibilities for active policy-making that would help municipalities and unions of municipalities positively shape the economic future and well-being of their communities in partnership with private sector, civil society and development partners.
“We must support municipalities and unions of municipalities to enter into transparent partnerships with the private sector and generate revenues through innovative and creative means including through projects that invest in information technology, the environment and alternative energy - especially with the current electricity and fuel crisis.” Director General Faten Abou Hassan expressed during the discussion.
She also reminded that “the municipal law encourages municipalities to initiate public activities and works that serve the community through the establishment of markets, parks, playgrounds, museums, hospitals, libraries, etc.”
The DGLAC talk show series is delivered under the patronage of the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, with support from the Municipal Empowerment and Resilience Project (MERP). MERP is a joint initiative implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and is funded by the European Union through its Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis “Madad Fund”.
DGLAC initiated the talk show series for mukhtars, municipalities and unions of municipalities, to discuss key topics of local concern. Two episodes were delivered during 2021, one on the updating of the municipal law and a second on the DGLAC support to local authorities to explore new ways to generate revenue within the current economic crisis. In 2022, DGLAC delivered two episodes, one on ways to strengthen the role of mukhtars in supporting local communities and the second on gender and local governance. DGLAC will continue the series, including this episode on local economic development and municipal crisis response. The next DGLAC talk show will be hosted in December 2022 and will focus on municipal/community policing.
To access the event photo album click HERE.
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