DOCSLIB.ORG

Youth Xchange

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Youth Xchange YOUTH X CHANGE TRAINING KIT ON RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION FOR AFRICA United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization FIRST REGIONAL ADAPTATION Published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 30552, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya © UNESCO and UNEP 2017 This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/). By using the content of this publication, the users accept to be bound by the terms of use of the UNESCO Open Access Repository (www.unesco.org/open-access/terms-use-ccbyncsa-en). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO and UNEP concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or the stated policy of UNEP, nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute endorsement. The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this book and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily the views or stated policy of UNESCO and/or UNEP and do not commit the Organizations. First edition: 2002 Second edition: 2008 First regional adaptation for Africa: 2017 A United Nations Publication UNEP ISBN: 978-92-807-3304-4 UNEP Job Number: DTI/1615/PA UNESCO ISBN XXXX Cover photos – top left to bottom right: © iStock/Alvaro Arroyo Sangoiri/Shutterstock.com © Khairoon Abbas © iStock/Brasil2 © Generation Earth/Tunza This guidebook is printed on certified paper supporting responsible use of forest resources. YOUTH X CHANGE TRAINING KIT ON RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION FOR AFRICA United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization RESPONSIBLE YOUTH X CHANGE CONSUMPTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS UNEP and UNESCO gratefully acknowledge the time and In preparing this adaptation, UNEP and UNESCO have effort spent by those involved in preparing, producing benefited greatly from peer review by experts who devoted and commenting on the YouthXchange Training Kit on time and effort to improving the draft. The reviewers Responsible Consumption for Africa. are: Catherine Rutivi, Consumers International Africa (South Africa); Edith Banzi, Floresta (Tanzania), George The YouthXchange Training Kit on Responsible Consumption Banja, Consumers Watch (Kenya); Isaac Dladla, Swaziland was prepared by Media, Ecology and Technology Association Environment Authority (Swaziland); Overson Shumba, (Méta) together with Consumers International, under The Copperbelt University, Kitwe (Zambia); Jean Paul the supervision of UNEP Division of Technology, Industry Brice Affana, Vital Actions for Sustainable Development and Economics (DTIE) and UNESCO Division of Secondary (Cameroon); Dr. (PhD) Xavier Font and Lucy McCombes, Leeds Technical and Vocational Education. Patrizia Lugo Loprieno Beckett University (United Kingdom); Zipporah Musyoki – wrote the 2002 edition and 2008 update. Webola, WWF Regional Office for Africa (Kenya); and Tom Israel Akampa, Tunza Youth Advisor 2013-2015 (Uganda). The YouthXchange Training Kit on Responsible Consumption for Africa is the first regional adaptation of the original Thanks to the following UNEP and UNESCO colleagues training kit. The adaptation was initially undertaken by the for reviewing sections of this publication: Utako Aoike, Partnership for Education and Research about Responsible Llorenç Mila i Canals, Jakob Fleischmann, Curt Garrigan, Living (PERL) - Carme Martinez-Roca (South Africa) and Julie Godin, Jacob Halcomb, James Lomax, Gabriela Christa Victoria Thoresen (Norway) – under the supervision of Lucas, Mushtaq Memon, Richard Munang, Hilary Murphy, UNEP DTIE and UNESCO’s Division for Inclusion, Peace and Patrick Mwesigye, Martina Otto, Mahesh Pradhan, Helena Sustainable Development. It was coordinated, edited and Rey, Djaheezah Subratty, Brian Waswala and Meseret finalized by Khairoon Abbas, consultant at UNEP DTIE, Zemedkun. under the supervision of Fanny Demassieux, former UNEP Resource Efficiency Subprogramme Coordinator, Garrette Our warm thanks also go to the Swedish Ministry of the Clark, Programme Officer, at UNEP DTIE, andBernard Environment, and the 10-Year Framework of Programmes Combes, Information Officer, at UNESCO. Special thanks to on Sustainable Consumption and Production for Mari Nishimura, Associate Programme Officer, UNEP DTIE, supporting the realization of this adaptation project. for facilitating the finalization of this publication. Design and layout was completed by UNESCO. 4 RESPONSIBLE YOUTH X CHANGE CONSUMPTION FOREWORD Africa is rich in natural, mineral, agricultural and marine This approach underpins the YouthXchange Initiative, resources that drive economic growth. However, by 2025, which contributes to the Global Action Programme on the continent’s cities will be home to 85 per cent of the Education for Sustainable Development and aligns with population and, by 2050, the expected doubled population the goals of the 2030 Agenda. The initiative promotes will have increasing difficulty to meet their basic needs. equitable, informed and efficient consumption, while With more under-20s than anywhere else in the world, the training kit supports that effort with clear, reliable Africa also has a wealth of talent and entrepreneurial and compelling information. As well as outlining the spirit available to tackle these issues. That is why this first relationship between the environment, the economy and regional training kit aims to engage Africa’s young people social justice, the kit uses case studies to showcase the to shape a more sustainable future. available opportunities and encourage readers to take shared responsibility for their future, starting with their Young people from all walks of life play a critical role in own attitudes and behaviours. delivering the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in areas like education, lifestyle We hope that this kit will help Africa’s young people and responsible consumption and production. As the translate their aspirations into everyday actions that bring consumers of today and decision-makers of tomorrow, the continent a healthy environment, with healthy people they define the demand for goods and services and have and a healthy future. the power to drive economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social equality. Mr Achim Steiner Ms Irina Bokova Executive Director Director-General UNEP UNESCO 5 © iStock/Alvaro Arroyo RESPONSIBLE YOUTH X CHANGE CONSUMPTION TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ............................ 4 10. The atmosphere............................ 74 The Ozone Layer: how it protects us. The Montreal Protocol. Foreword...................................... 5 Every action counts 1. The YouthXchange Initiative..................8 Why sustainable consumption and lifestyles? Why youth 11. Climate change ............................ 78 and why Africa? World’s youngest population in Africa. Our changing climate. Africa’s climate change challenge. What is the UNEP/UNESCO YouthXchange Initiative? Addressing climate change. Climate change impacts. Adaptation and mitigation. The role of youth and 2. Education for change....................... 14 consumers What is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)? The UNDESD in Africa. Post-2014: Global Action Programme on 12. Save water, safe water ...................... 86 ESD Access to water in sub-Saharan Africa. Water and agriculture. Water and industry. Sanitation in Africa. The 3. Introducing sustainable consumption ....... 20 way forward Why sustainable consumption in Africa? Promoting sustainable consumption in Africa. SCP as a vehicle for a 13. Purchase without pain...................... 92 Green Economy in Africa . SCP and YouthXchange What is child labour?. Tackling child labour. A missed opportunity. Consumer awareness 4. Switching to sustainable lifestyles........... 26 Africa’s environmental, economic and social profiles. What 14. Live and let live ...........................100 is a sustainable lifestyle? Our lifestyles, our food. Food loss Unsustainable human practices. Protecting the forests. and food waste. What can you do? Taking action. African wildlife and tourism. Managing our resources 5. Take care . 34 Health and the environment. The power of consumers. 15. Looking cool and fair ......................108 International efforts. Taking care in Africa. Improving What is fashion? What are clothes made of? Young people Africa’s air quality and fashion. African fashion trends. Must I have it?. What is sustainable fashion? Weaving change. Using organic 6. Getting around............................. 42 materials Urban transportation. Africa’s transport infrastructure 16. Take action . .118 7. Getting away............................... 48 Ecolabelling in Africa. Consumer challenges. Investing in Why tourism matters. Tourism in sub-Saharan Africa. sustainable lifestyles Tourism and economic growth. Tourism impacts. Tourism and safeguarding biodiversity. Increasing sustainability 17. Discover the global village.................124 in tourism. What is sustainable tourism? Ecotourism: an Africa:
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Annual Report
    Annual report www.eumayors.eu p.1 Covenant of Mayors - Europe 2019 Annual Report FOREWORD “Making Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050 is our main ambition as the new European Commission. This means not only addressing the climate crisis, but also ensuring social justice, economic development, and well-being for all European citizens. We no longer have the luxury of time. The Commission before us has done a tremendous work building the necessary legislative framework that will allow us to transition to a clean and fair energy system. Now, our mission is to make it happen. For that, we need to reach out to the European citizens and the governments and institutions that serve them. We need to work in an open, inclusive and cooperative way. The European Covenant of Mayors movement is an excellent example of this inclusive and cooperative approach. For over ten years now, local governments from across Europe have voluntarily been taking bold commitments that they turn into local action. The movement now gathers over 9,200 signatory cities and towns, from all sizes and regions. Their average CO2 emission reduction goals for 2020 and 2030 are higher than the EU targets, and many of them have already developed strategies to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 - sometimes even earlier than that. The energy transition is about more than renewable energy or great technologies: it is about smart use of resources, while strengthening democracy and well-being in Europe. Cities and towns are where all these things come together. To become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, we need pioneers who will lead the way.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Regeneration in Urban Areas , URBACT II Capitalisation April 2015 Urbact Ii Urbact
    urbact ii capitalisation, april 2015 URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting integrated sustainable urban development. It enables cities to work together to develop solutions to major urban challenges, Sustainable regeneration re-a�firming the key role they play in facing increasingly complex societal changes. URBACT helps cities to develop pragmatic solutions that are new and sustainable, in urban areas and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions. It enables cities to share good practices and lessons learned with all professionals involved in urban policy throughout Europe. URBACT II comprises 550 di�ferent sized cities and their Local Support Groups, 61 projects, 29 countries, and 7,000 active local stakeholders. URBACT is jointly financed by the ERDF and the Member States. Sustainable regeneration in urban areas , URBACT II capitalisation urbact ii urbact , April 2015 www.urbact.eu URBACT Secretariat 5, rue Pleyel 93283 Saint Denis cedex France Sustainable regeneration in urban areas, URBACT II capitalisation, April 2015 Published by URBACT 5, Rue Pleyel, 93283 Saint Denis, France http://urbact.eu Editorial advisory board: Melody Houk Jenny Koutsomarkou Emmanuel Moulin Maria Scantamburlo Ivan Tosics Graphic design and layout: Christos Tsoleridis (Oxhouse design studio), Thessaloniki, Greece Printing: bialec, Nancy (France) ©2015 URBACT II programme urbact ii capitalisation, april 2015 Sustainable regeneration in urban areas This publication is part of a bigger These topics have been explored by four capitalisation initiative set by the URBACT URBACT working groups (workstreams), programme for 2014–2015 with the objective composed of multidisciplinary to present to Europe’ s cities existing urban stakeholders across Europe such as urban knowledge and good practices about: practitioners and experts from URBACT, representatives from European universities, New urban economies European programmes and international organisations working on these fields.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Technical FAQ
    Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Technical FAQ Updated as of November 2017 List of Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy? 2 2. What is the history of the Covenant of Mayors and the Compact of Mayors? 3 3. What is the significance of this merger? 3 4. Will the GCoM address climate change mitigation as well as adaptation? 4 5. How will Regional Covenants work? 4 6. How can we join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy? 5 7. What are the requirements of GCoM membership? 5 8. Who runs the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy? 6 9. What will happen to the Compact of Mayors and the Covenant of Mayors initiatives? 7 10. How do we report our progress to the GCoM? 8 11. How will my data be treated in the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy? 8 12. Why is data transparency and consistency such a central part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy? 9 13. Will the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC) continue to be required to measure and track emissions for Compact-committed cities and local governments? What methodologies should local governments committed under Covenant of Mayors in Europe use? 9 14. How will cities and local governments that have previously committed to the Compact of Mayors be affected? 10 15. How will cities and local governments that are signatories in Europe with a 2020 or a 2030 target be affected? 10 16.
    [Show full text]
  • Skills for the Energy Transition
    Skills for the Energy Transition A Policy Brief from the Policy Learning Platform on Low-carbon economy February 2021 Policy Learning Platform on Low-carbon economy Table of Contents Summary 3 The EU Policy Context 3 The Renovation Wave 4 The Pact for Skills 4 The European Climate Pact 5 Training programmes teaching skills for the energy transition at all levels 5 Dedicated structures supporting skill development 9 Creating demand for energy efficiency skills 13 European support to skills for the energy transition 14 Recommendations & key learnings 14 Sources and further information 16 Cover image source: Image from Prostooleh from Freepik Policy brief: Skills for the Energy Transition 2 Policy Learning Platform on Low-carbon economy Summary A systematic transition to renewables, clean technologies and energy-efficient applications will be key to achieving the European Union’s climate targets in the next decade and beyond. However, the availability of innovative technology solutions risks being of little use without an adequate number of skilled workers and trained professionals to enable their large-scale deployment in our daily lives. That is why policy-makers must not forget to invest in the human factor, which is the only real enabler of the green transformations that lie ahead. The European Green Deal has made this point very clear, acknowledging the urgency of adopting proactive upskilling and reskilling schemes at all levels. The 10-year forecast of EuropeOn, the Electrical Contractors Association, provides a glimpse of the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead: to reach the envisaged climate targets, Europe will need to have enough skilled workers to install 3,000 solar panels, 1,000 electrical vehicles’ recharging points and 15,000 heat pumps on a daily basis.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Green Future for Liverpool City Region
    A contribution to the ‘2019 Year of the Environment ‘Environmental Summit’, Liverpool City Region’ Towards a Green Future for Liverpool City Region Issues Paper Mark Boyle, Stephen Crone, Georgina Endfield, Susan Jarvis and Andrew McClelland | 3 CONTENTS 1. Confronting the climate and ecological crisis .................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. What are the challenges? ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 3. What is the United Kingdom doing to tackle the crisis and is it enough?................................................................................................13 4. What is being done in Liverpool City Region?...................................................................................................................................................15 a) Tackling the climate emergency: In search of a zero-carbon future ........................................................................................................16 b) In the face of species extinction: Supporting biodiversity ..........................................................................................................................21 c) Detox: Cleaning the air we breathe .................................................................................................................................................................26
    [Show full text]
  • Fedarene's Recommendations for a Forward-Looking
    FEDARENE’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A FORWARD-LOOKING MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK POST-2020 April 2018 5 steps to a Budget for a United and Sustainable Europe The energy transition is a driver for European Cohesion. The energy transition is not an adjustment variable for the budget of the European Union but on the contrary, it is an essential part of the solution that maximises its impact 1 and creates additional revenues. It is a driving force that brings benefits across all sectors and for all levels of society through the creation of sustainable jobs and investment opportunities, the improvement of health and the quality of life and by addressing social inequalities. The added value of European Union’s financial programmes is made 2 tangible through local and regional initiatives. Local and regional initiatives show that cohesion policy is both a catalyst for investment and a means for beneficiaries to raise their ambitions and take ownership of the European objectives, specifically those of the Energy Union. The accessibility of funds is a prerequisite for effectiveness and efficiency.Current rules and processes remain prohibitive for local and regional 3 authorities, and organisations who are seeking to finance their Climate and Energy actions plans. Looking at procedures from the point of view of potential beneficiaries should be a core principle for the simplification process. Complementarity of funding programmes can be achieved through common frameworks and local and regional platforms. Mutualising 4 research and innovation efforts in Europe, and up-scaling investments in sustainable energy, can only be achieved through harmonised financial programmes and territorially anchored platforms with the aim of aggregating projects, interacting with various EU financial programmes and initiatives, and ensuring a reliable interface between investors, project developers and citizens.
    [Show full text]
  • Governance, Functions, and Traits of European Transnational Municipal Networks – an Evaluation by Means of German Member Cities
    Master thesis in Sustainable Development 248 Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling Governance, Functions, and Traits of European Transnational Municipal Networks – an Evaluation by Means of German Member Cities Sascha Oppowa DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES INSTITUTIONEN FÖR GEOVETENSKAPER Master thesis in Sustainable Development 248 Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling Governance, Functions, and Traits of European Transnational Municipal Networks – an Evaluation by Means of German Member Cities Sascha Oppowa Supervisor: Marcus Carson Evaluator: Lars Rudebeck Copyright © Sascha Oppowa and the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University Published at Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University (www.geo.uu.se), Uppsala, 2015 Content 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Aim and purpose .............................................................................................................. 2 1.2. Outline .............................................................................................................................. 2 2. Background: cities, climate change and climate politics ............................................... 3 2.1. The bidirectional relations between cities and climate change ........................................ 3 2.1.1. The impacts of climate change on cities ......................................................................... 3 2.1.2. The impacts of cities on climate change ........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Subject: Recommendations for an Effective and Inclusive Clean Energy Transition Sub-Programme Within LIFE 2021-2027
    Brussels, 13 December 2018 Subject: Recommendations for an Effective and Inclusive Clean Energy Transition Sub-Programme within LIFE 2021-2027 Dear Representatives in the Council of the European Union, Cities, Regions and their Energy Agencies are striving to accelerate their energy and environmental transition that is a driving force for innovation, job creation, growth, social inclusion and overall territorial development. Within the context of the proposed changes within the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, and specifically the creation of a LIFE sub- programme on the Clean Energy Transition, the European Networks FEDARENE, EUROCITIES, Energy Cities and Climate Alliance carefully considered the opportunities that these changes present to local/regional authorities and their energy agencies. In order to guarantee the vital impact of clean energy & climate related market uptake and capacity building activities, in light of the European Parliament’s Report and ahead of the Environment Council meeting on the 20th of December, we reaffirm the following key needs: 1. Higher and differentiated co-financing rates for Clean Energy Transition Cities, Regions, Energy Agencies and their stakeholders have been extremely active and successful in the Intelligent Energy Europe and Horizon 2020 programmes, where they benefited from 100% funding, but will not be in a position to engage with the LIFE programme with the funding rates of 60% proposed by the European Parliament. We recommend a rate of 80-100% for the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme in order to continue attracting these crucial actors. Considering the differences of targets and support needs between sub-programmes, a differentiation of co-financing rates amongst the sub- programmes set out in Article 4 is justified and would enable the LIFE programme to reach a larger variety of stakeholders, including smaller organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • SMART CITIES and CLIMATE CHANGE: the Evolution and Curation of Knowledge
    URBAN SUSTAINABILITY LABORATORY WORKING PAPER SERIES SMART CITIES and CLIMATE CHANGE: The Evolution and Curation of Knowledge Richard Tomlinson THE WILSON CENTER, established by Congress in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a living n ational memorial to President Wilson. The Center’s mission is to commemorate the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson by provid- ing a link between the worlds of ideas and policy, while fostering research, study, discussion, and collaboration among a broad spectrum of individuals concerned with policy and scholarship in national and international affairs. Supported by public and private funds, the Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open, and informed dialogue. Conclusions or opinions expressed in Center publications and programs are those of the authors and speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center staff, fellows, trustees, advisory groups, or any individuals or organizations that provide financial support to the Center. Richard Tomlinson, Fellow, Urban Sustainability Laboratory, Woodrow Wilson Inter- national Center for Scholars, Washington DC Professorial Fellow, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Visiting Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwa- tersrand, Johannesburg The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Urban Sustainability Laboratory of the Wilson Center. COVER PHOTO: By
    [Show full text]
  • Covenant of Mayors “Multi-Level Action for Sustainable Energy”
    Covenant of Mayors Multi-level action for sustainable energy www.eumayors.eu FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 1 6/17/13 10:09 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS We live in an interconnected world. Multi-source, decentralised THE COVENANT EXPERIENCE information-sharing and cooperation systems are becoming ever more important in all areas of social, economic and cultural life. The Covenant of Mayors for local sustainable energy is a very concrete demonstration of this trend. Its Our experience in building sustainable energy story started in 2008, when - after the adoption of the EU concepts with cities dates back to 2007 with the climate and energy package - the European Commission creation of the Covenant of Mayors. decided to directly involve municipalities in reaching the 2020 objectives. By committing to the Covenant, an initial Günther Oettinger group of some 300 mayors voluntarily undertook to adopt EU Commissioner for Energy a sustainable energy action plan (SEAP), rethinking the way their city operates and bringing them closer to energy self-suffi ciency, with measures favouring local economic development and improving citizens’ quality of life. Just a few years later, the Covenant extended to thousands of local authorities – including almost all EU capitals - and an increasing number of stakeholders, establishing itself as one of the most emblematic examples of multi-level governance and bottom-up action in Europe. 2 FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 2 6/17/13 10:09
    [Show full text]
  • Download The
    TABLE OF CONTENTS WORD OF THE PRESIDENT 03 ABOUT FEDARENE 04 ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES 11 PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES 24 MEMbers’ projecTS 28 WORD OF THE PRESIDENT JULIJE DOMAC As a new year dawns, I am pleased to introduce once again FEDARENE’s annual publication Sustainable Regions in Action. It allows me to take a step back and appreciate the progress made this past year by regions and energy agencies on their energy transition journey. In 2019, they have made people’s homes healthier and their transport systems smarter. They have raised awareness about sustainable energy and have encouraged the creation of green jobs. They have triggered new sustainable investments; empowered renewable energy communities; developed innovative solutions for a sound management of resources and infrastructures. They have been trusted partners to both local authorities and EU institutions. Inside our network, we have also had the pleasure to welcome several new members, including island members working inside our Island College to make these remote territories smarter and more sustainable. The recent European elections also brought new representatives in the European Parliament and in the new European Commission. We welcome them and look forward to cooperate in achieving our common climate and energy goals. This brochure provides a panorama of projects implemented by FEDARENE’s members in their cities, regions and islands - always with a European added value in mind. After going through them myself, I can say that I am proud to lead a network of such talented and driven people. Now turning towards the present - and the future, I am happy to announce that 2020 marks the 30 years of existence of FEDARENE.
    [Show full text]
  • THE NEW FRENCH REGIONS, from a EUROPEAN STANDPOINT Marjorie Jouen | Adviser at the Jacques Delors Institute
    POLICY PAPER 150 01 DECEMBER 2015 THE NEW FRENCH REGIONS, FROM A EUROPEAN STANDPOINT Marjorie Jouen | Adviser at the Jacques Delors Institute SUMMARY The French Government has been pursuing a sweeping reform since 2012, which it has called Act III in the decentralisation process. The reform’s most visible impact is going to be a change in the boundaries of se- veral regions as of January 2016. To be precise, sixteen regions are going to merge: Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie; Nord-Pas de Calais with Picardy; Alsace with Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne; Burgundy with Franche-Comté; Rhône-Alpes with Auvergne; Aquitaine with Limousin and Poitou-Charentes; and Midi- Pyrénées with Languedoc-Roussillon. By the end of the process, France will have only seventeen regions rather than the twenty-six that it has today. Driven chiefly by domestic considerations, the creation of these new “mega-regions” has at times been justified with external and European arguments such as the need to acquire a critical mass in the international arena, or by comparison with neighbouring German, Italian and Spanish regions, and so forth. But what is the real situation and what are the challenges facing these new regions? This paper sets out to study the impact of this territorial reform measure from three different European standpoints: • The first part looks at the immediate impact of the merger and the birth of the “mega-regions” from an economic, political-and-institutional and cohesion policy standpoint. We will see that the reform, aimed at merging wealthy and poor regions will only lead to a rebalancing of the national picture.
    [Show full text]