monitoring the application of the Charter as well as institutional developments in Europe’s regions, for preparing reports on the situation of local and regional democracy in Europe and for monitoring specific questions related to local and regional democracy in the member states." Governance Committee "The Governance Committee is responsible for affairs falling within the scope of the Congress' statutory mandate such as governance, public finance, cross-border and interregional co-operation and e-democracy as well as co-operation with intergovernmental bodies." Current Affairs Committee "The Current Affairs Committee is responsible for studying the role of local and regional authorities with regard to the major challenges of our society and preparing work on thematic issues such as social cohesion, education, culture and sustainable development from the point of view of the Council of Europe's core values." The Bureau The Chamber elects its President among its members for two years, and appoints the Bureau composed of the President and seven Vice-Presidents respecting as far as possible a fair geographic distribution among the member states. The actual composition of the Bureau can be seen on the official website of the Congress. The Secretariat The Chamber has a permanent Secretariat located at the Palace of Europe in Strasbourg, which is headed by its Executive Secretary, appointed by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. List of Members The Chamber consists of 306 statutory members (representatives and substitutes) from: References External links Official website of the Congress of the Council of Europe Charter of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities European Charter of Local Self-Government European Urban Charter Council of Europe's Committee Website Congress of the Council of Europe International political organizations Organizations based in Strasbourg Politics of Europe