Commonwealth Local Government Forum

2015 marks the 20th Anniversary of CLGF since its formal establishment in 1995 and formal endorsement by Commonwealth Heads of Government when they met in Auckland that year.

Although ambitious in its aims and political outreach right from its inception, CLGF developed from small beginnings and limited capacity, inspired by what was then a new global emphasis on bringing about decentralisation and holding multi-party local democratic elections.

Two key decisions have helped the growth of CLGF in its early days - maintaining close institutional cooperation with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other Commonwealth structures; and opening its membership to ministries of local government, as well as individual councils and local government associations, together with other stakeholders such as universities on an associate basis. This has meant that CLGF has been able to operate within the Commonwealth framework with a focus on a wide range of different stakeholders, especially central and local government, working together in close partnership.

Many of the challenges we face in 2015 are not too different from those we faced in 1995 - promoting local democracy and good governance, often in difficult post-conflict environments; identifying and disseminating local government good practices; and building the capacity of local governments and ministries to deliver cost-effective services, not least at a time of austerity and public sector cutbacks in many countries. There still remain some Commonwealth countries - especially in the Asia-Pacific region - which are yet to implement local democracy and others, which had previously gone down the path of decentralisation, who have returned to centralisation in recent years. However, overall, the international momentum towards greater local empowerment continues, as shown by the current UN discussions on localising the new sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Indeed, the economic and political problems of 2015, including dealing with terrorism and social and economic inequality, re-enforce the importance of adhering to core Commonwealth values and an internationalist agenda which promotes both democracy and development.   

In some ways CLGF’s task is easier today, as it now has more formal recognition and a sound track record within the Commonwealth and beyond - as witnessed by the strategic partnership it has with DFID, UNDP, EU and others; by the extensive network of membership it has built up (doubled in the last 20 years to members in 50 countries), including at regional level; and by the experience gained from 20 years of intensive work, as well as the tools - such as the Aberdeen Principles - it has at its disposal.

At the same time, CLGF remains an organisation primarily composed of developing countries - with many needs and few resources – and therefore relies for its substantive finances on a limited number of more-well-endowed governments and international partners: increasingly, the list of these partners is expanding, as shown for example by the recent signing of CLGF’s new strategic partnership with the EU.

CLGF also has the benefit of a high-level Board and senior Patrons on whose active and enthusiastic support it can count, together with a small but extremely motivated and professional staff.

CLGF starts to look to its next decade - and in particular the new post- 2015 development agenda for 2015-2030, and to consider what kind of roadmap local government should develop to take forward the SDGs – as a result-focussed organisation well-equipped to meet new challenges.

CLGF’s conference in Gaborone, Botswana, 16-19 June 2015, will be an opportunity to reflect on the past 20 years and to look forward to the future. It is my hope, that all our many members can be represented at senior level at this important local government summit, to contribute their valuable ideas, learn from each other’s rich practical expertise, and shape our key common policies for the coming decades.

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