The UIM exists, first, to promote the proposition that local government is the cornerstone of a democratic society, and; second, to investigate and disseminate ways in which the autonomy and integrity of local government in Spain and Latin America can be strengthened. To this end, the UIM annually sponsors some twenty UIM "fellows", chosen from hundreds of applicants from local governments in Spain and Latin America, to come to Granada for three weeks of training and interactive learning seminars. The UIM also holds semi-annual international congresses focusing on specific themes of importance to local government, and it publishes a series of books and articles, in Spanish, on municipal governance and associated problems and solutions. Since its founding date, the UIM has held three congresses (Granada, Spain in 1991, Cartagena, Colombia in 1994, and Cuernavaca, Mexico in 1996). Its publications list is both extensive and impressive in its quality. The UIM's current membership consists of some 300 - 400 "municipalistas" (mayors, city council members, mid-to-high level municipal public servants, and academics) from Spain and all of Latin America. Its current president is the mayor of Cuernavaca, Mexico.
The UIM and CEMCI have recently been contacted by UNESCO and other international organizations who wish to support their ongoing training and informational programs, and to expand their scope and reach. This would mean that the UIM's current fellowship and training programs would be enlarged. In 1997, the UIM included Stetson University in their expansion plans as sites for training and education of North American models and experiences of local government and public administration. To this end, they have established Stetson as a Host Site for a new Fellowship program.
CEMCI-UIM Web Site
Stetson Latin American Studies Home Page
Last Update: December 5, 1997