REPORT “LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY” 23 – 30 November 2007 Gummersbach – Germany Organised by the International Academy for Leadership (IAF)

Presented by Mr Antonin Oumar GNING Tel : 00221 77 653 76 29 / 00221 33 825 89 76 E-mail : agning@hotmail.com / gninga@yahoo.fr

1

Seminar description From 23 to 30 November 2007 was held in Germany in Gummersbach the seminar: "Local government and Civil Society" which came within the framework of the implementation of annual program of the International Academy for Leadership (IAF). The seminar lasted seven days and began with the words of welcome directed to the location of the participants by Ms. Brigit Lamm, Director of the IAF. Ms. Lamm also made a presentation of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, showed its links with the Liberal Party, its objectives, its modus operandi and its actions around the world. The online phase which was held from September 10 to 08 October 2007 has prepared participants and set the agenda for the upcoming international seminar on “Local Government and Civil Society”. The important aim of this preparatory online seminar is to exchange and to develop interesting ideas on this topic. The seminar in effect promoted a dialogue and sharing of experiences. During the final stage of the online program each participant wrote a short essay concerning: “the situation of Local Government in your country, how it is ruled out and what needs to be changed”. Participants The seminar was attended by youth representatives of political liberal parties, liberal youth organization, NGO workers, counsellors, administrators of provinces, members of civil society, all partners of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. It was handled by two skilled facilitators, Kylie Hatton and Monika Bellin who were assisted all along the seminar by the dynamic Alex Stoll who worked in a highly efficient way until last day. Participants came from different countries around the world: Asia, America, Europe and Africa.