1. Research Advisory Group Feedback to main CLGF conference Philip Amis International Development Department University of Birmingham, UK at CLGF conference in Uganda May 2013

2. Research Advisory Group  For last four CLGF conference meetings there has been an important pre meeting of academics and those in practice*  Overall we have had a very profitable and useful meeting at UMI  Main theme of focus has been on the evolving changing role of local government in these challenging and complex circumstances environment  Importance of research and analysis informing policy making

3. Local Economic Development  Get the Basics right –LG needs to get its basic functions right –Importance of getting capacity right and appropriate size of LG  But for LED this means –Political will –Clear Legal responsibilities and an appropriate Institutional framework –Use of appropriate instruments –Importance of a strategy that is based on local conditions and not a one size fits all approach –L G as centre of innovation

4. MDGs  LG important in terms of service delivery in Primary Health and Education, and other services(see 2009 Conference background paper)  Very profitable discussion of MDGs in general, and of the cases of India and Uganda both emphasized the key role of local government  But apart from the importance of this mandate we also wanted to stress the importance of wider governance issues with LG in partnership with other actors

5. MDGs and Local Governance  If we want to work with Civil society groups then LG is the key interlocutor  If we want to bridge the gap between the funding agency and the Poor LG is a key intermediate agency  If we want to make govt responsive and address the issue of voice and participation then LG should be the starting place

6. MDGs and Local Governance (2)  If we want to address climate change then LG in terms of transport and energy use (housing) then LG is the key regulatory agency  If we want to rebuild fragile and post conflict states LG is potentially a key agent  In Disasters LG can build the prevention measures  LG is also the agency that picks up the pieces