The Sectoral Conferences (2001-2012): Working dynamics and the values and perceptions of the political and technical agents

Abstract

The territorial organization established in Spain since 1978 is located at an intermediate point between unitary and federal models. In this institutional framework, coordination of sectoral policies has been channeled through intergovernmental organizations such as the Sectorial Conferences, which aim to integrate the Autonomous Regions in the decision making processes of the State. Similarly, these conferences are channels to establish a horizontal coordination between Autonomous Regions in a context such as Spanish, where they have just had enough other development tools designed specifically for this purpose. In this article are presented the main findings of a research project funded by the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) in 2013. This project aims to analyze the functioning, dynamics and the results of work of the Sectorial Conferences, as well as their role as instruments of shared governance. To do this, there has been an empirical analysis that besides the formal study of these organisms, pay attention to elements such as the human factor, leadership, ideology or the nature of the issues.