Memorandum of Cooperation Alpine Convention

The Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention (hereafter, PSAC), represented by its Secretary General, and

The CITTASLOW Association (hereafter CITTASLOW), represented by its President

In the following referred to as "the signatories"

Whereas the Alpine Convention Protocols are legally binding instruments of international law with the aim of ensuring the long-term sustainable development and conservation of the Alps;

Whereas this implies a special attention to the improvement of the quality of life;

Whereas two/thirds of the population of the Alps live in cities or urban areas;

Whereas the Alpine Convention has adopted in 2006 a Declaration on Population and Culture, which inter alia focuses on the role of urban areas, in particular as regards living environment, quality of life, equal opportunities and the relationship with the surrounding areas

Whereas by Decision VII/2 of the Alpine Conference, the PSAC was set up as a concrete step for the implementation and development of the Alpine Convention and its Protocols;

Whereas Cittaslow aims at improving quality of life in cities, where man is still protagonist of the slow and healthy succession of seasons , respectful of citizens' health , the authenticity of products and good food, rich of fascinating craft traditions of valuable works of art, squares, theaters, shops, cafés, restaurants, places of the spirit and unspoiled landscapes, characterized by spontaneity of religious rites, respect of traditions through the joy of a slow and quiet living.

Whereas Cittaslow is present in the territory of the Alpine Convention through 20 cities and that the number of these cities is constantly growing

Underlining that being the Alpine Convention a multi-level governance tool, it is important that diverse initiatives of implementation of the Alpine Convention are developed on the Alpine territory involving actors at all levels, including municipal Goverrnents ;

Underlying that a fruitful cooperation between the PSAC and CITTASLOW favours the coherence of nature protection policies in the different alpine States on the level of protected areas and their regions.

Have reached the following understanding:

AIMS

This Memorandum of Cooperation aims at providing a durable basis for the cooperation between the signatories in fields of common interest.

SPECIFIC COOPERATION FIELDS

Regular exchange of information:

Regular exchange of information on the respective activities, work programmes and strategies.

Participation to events and networks:

Mutual invitation to participate to events of common interest. In particular, with reference to each others' organization and activities in the frame of initiatives which involve other implementation networks of the Alpine Convention. The actual participation to specific events will depend on the availability of resources and capacities.

Communication:

Each signatory should give the other signatory adequate visibility. In particular:
Creation of a specific web page on the Alpine Convention site dedicated to the implementation of this Memorandum of Cooperation, containing also a direct link to the web site of CITTASLOW.
Creation of a specific web page on the CITTASLOW web site dedicated to the implementation of this Memorandum of Cooperation also containing a direct link to the web site of the Alpine Convention.
CITTASLOW recommends each of its members which are in the territory of the Alpine Convention to include on its respective web site the logo of the Alpine Convention and a link to its web site.
The signatories should give adequate visibility to this Memorandum of Cooperation and its implementation through their social networks communication tools.
Use the logo of the other signatory for giving visibility to initiatives of common interest in compliance with the respective regulations on the use of the respective logos and notification of their use to the other signatory without delay.
The PSAC should displaying information and materials about CITTASLOW at relevant events. The materials are to be provided by CITTASLOW subject to the availability of means.
CITTASLOW recommends each of its member in the territory of the Alpine Convention to display information and distribute of material about the Alpine Convention, to be provided by the PSAC subject to the availability of resources .

Development and implementation of projects of common interest:

CITTASLOW, within the availability of resources, endeavors, as appropriate, to develop and carry out projects which are in the direct interest of the Alpine Convention. The PSAC, as appropriate and within the availability of resources, endeavors to support projects it considers to be in its interest, in order to enhance their status, including:
signing observer declarations in the frame of European Territorial Cooperation and other transnational mountain-related projects;
promoting project proposals in view of helping identifying and motivating new potential partners and co-financers.

The signatories should, as appropriate and within the respective availability of resources, organize joint events.
Within the limits of available human resources, the signatories should regularly exchange know-how in view of benefitting from each others' sectorial experience and, as adequate, develop projects of common interest.

REPORTING

Report, once a year, in writing to the other signatory about the measures undertaken on the basis of this Memorandum of Cooperation as well as the information received on the development and implementation of the respective work programmes in view of its transmission to the respective decision-making bodies.

EFFECTIVENESS

This Memorandum of Cooperation will take effect upon signature from both sides. Its duration is unlimited but each signatory may terminate it by informing the other signatory in writing with a prior delay of 3 months.

AMENDMENTS

The signatories may, by mutual consent and in writing, review and amend this Memorandum of Cooperation on the basis of the experience gained in implementing it.

Innsbruck/Orvieto, 22 February 2013