Delhi to host 4th International Conference on Federalism on Nov 5-7

India, which will host the fourth International Conference on Federalism in the first week of November, is all set to take and give suggestions on the issue to the participating countries.

New Delhi, Oct 21 : India, which will host the fourth International Conference on Federalism in the first week of November, is all set to take and give suggestions on the issue to the participating countries.

The country, being run by a coalition government, will share its experience on the Federal Government structure with other nations at the three-day conference to be held here from November 5. his conference is the fourth in a series organized in partnership between host governments and the Forum of Federations. The earlier conferences were held in Canada 1999, Switzerland 2002 and Belgium 2005. It envisages promoting dialogue on the renewal and development of federalism and greater cooperation among practitioners in pursuit of better or good governance. The participants include practitioners of federal democracy - at all levels - including those heading Federal Governments - Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chancellors; to those heading constituent units - Premiers, Chief Ministers; and those representing federal practice at the grassroots - leaders of village or town governments.

Besides, scholars, experts, administrators and social activists dedicated to federalism also take part in the conference. All participants collectively engage in the process of sharing ideas, experiences and drawing inspiration from one another. The conference, titled 'Unity in Diversity - learning from each other,' is based on four broad themes and twelve sub-themes. Each of these is developed by a panel of Indian and international experts. These papers have been peer reviewed at a Pre-Conference from February 21 to 23, 2007, before being published as background reading for the conference.

Participation confirmation has been received from Chairman, Council of Ministers, Bosnia-Herzegovina, President of Comoros, Prime Minister of Ethopia, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and and Nevis, and President of Switzerland. International invitees include Cabinet level Ministers, Provincial Heads, State level Ministers, Diplomats, Administrators, members of Judiciary, former Ministers, Civil Servants and representatives of International Organizations. National Invitees include the Vice President, Lok Sabha Speaker, Central Cabinet Ministers, Secretaries to the Government of India, Governors, Chief Ministers, Leaders of national political parties, Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of Departments concerned in the States among others. Congress party president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker House of Representatives, USA, Hillary Clinton and Rona Ambrose, Minister of Inter-Governmental Affairs, Canada, former US Vice president and Nobel laureate Al Gore, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and many other eminent personalities have also been invited at the conference.

ANI