1. Assembly of European Regions (AER) ‏ Strengthening the Family of European Regions www.aer.eu Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

2. Who are we? An independent network of European regions, founded in 1985 The largest interregional co-operation organisation in Europe 270 member regions from 33 countries of Europe 16 interregional organisations as members Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

3. AER Vision “ A Europe in which… Regions are recognised as pillars of democracy and key partners in the European project Regional governance results in greater autonomy, legitimacy and efficiency Exchange of experience between regions contributes to better mutual understanding Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

4. AER Mission The AER is the political voice of the regions and the key partner for the European and international institutions on the core issues of regional competence. The AER promotes subsidiarity and democratic regional structures and enables the regions to form the essential link between Europe and its citizens. Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

5. AER Key Objectives (1) ‏ To promote the concept of regional democracy and subsidiarity in Europe To promote and lobby for the interests of regional government at the national, European and international levels To promote excellence and develop leadership in regional governance Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

6. Key Objectives (2) ‏ To support regional co-operation in Europe To promote regional diversity in Europe To develop the ability of regions to make Europe relevant to its citizens Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

7. AER Structure Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu Committee 1Committee 2Committee 3 Standing Committee Institutional Affairs Standing Committee Monitoring/ Evaluation

8. Priorities Committee 1 Economic Development Cohesion Policy Energy Policy Sustainable Tourism Rural Development Environment Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu AER Innovation Award AER Cohesion Study Call for best practices on Climate change

9. Priorities Committee 2 Health and Social Affairs Demographic Change Ehe@lth Emergency Planning Gender Equality Preventing Alcohol-related harm Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu Emergency Planning Seminars Observatory on Migrant Women AER E-He@lth Network

10. Priorities Committee 3 Cultural policies Interregional and international cooperation Education and training Youth Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu Initiative on cultural tourism Decentralized development Youth Network Do you speak European

11. Priorities Institutional Affairs Communicating Europe Regional governance Regional democracy European decision-making Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu AER Communicating Europe Award AER Citizen Forum Study visits territorial reform

12. Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.a-e-r.org EURODYSSEY Interregional programme promoting vocational training and the mobility of young people across Europe For young people aged 18-30, recently qualified or graduated 3 to 7-month work training experience in another European region, plus language course Details available on: www.eurodyssee.netwww.eurodyssee.net Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

13. Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.a-e-r.org Summer School 1-week programme of workshops, seminars and study visits for regional politicians and officers Different theme each year related to interregional co-operation Hosted by a different AER member region each year Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu 24. - 28. 8. 2009 in Valencia (ES)‏ Water, engagement for our future

14. Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.a-e-r.org Youth Summer School Annual 1-week event for young people between 18-24, alongside the Summer School Participants nominated by their regional authorities Allows young people to exchange experience on European and regional issues Opportunity for young people to meet regional politicians from across Europe Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu

15. AER Peer Reviews Instrument for improving economic development One-week visit by a review team consisting at least of three experts from different European regions Host region is interested in improving its regional development Peer review scheme – a cost effective and innovative methodology

16. AER Training Academy Training on European affairs and other issues relevant for regions Small groups of around 25 people Peer learing method – facilitators work in the field they teach Active engagement of participants Networking possiblity Free of charge

17. AER in Brussels AER Training Academy AER Monitoring tools AER Breakfast Briefings Common lobbying initiatives Visits of regional politicians

18. Communication Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu AER Visiting cards Regional press pool AER Member logo Tales from Europe

19. Further Details Assembly of European Regions Rue Oberlin 6 67000 Strasbourg + 33 3 88 22 0707 Email: secretariat@aer.eusecretariat@aer.eu Website: www.aer.euwww.aer.eu Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu