ABSTRACT
Building confidence in democratic institutions begins at the local level. Even if local authorities are endowed with an appropriate jurisdictional framework and sufficient fiscal and technical capacity, their contribution to sustainability will depend on their methods of governing, their policy commitments, and their specific actions. Chapter 2 set out elements of good governance and the areas where local governments can take action. Chapter 3 has shown what can be done by local governments acting alone or with the support or partnership of others. Chapter 4 provided evidence of an emerging worldwide system of municipal international cooperation for the achievement of sustainability. The following recommendations reflect the arguments and experience set out in those chapters:
• Elected local authorities should take a leadership role in the community, and a participatory and inclusive approach to governance.
