Error message

  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /html/drupal/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /html/drupal/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /html/drupal/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /html/drupal/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /html/drupal/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /html/drupal/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in drupal_random_bytes() (line 2268 of /html/drupal/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::__wakeup() should either be compatible with DateTime::__wakeup(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /html/drupal/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::format($format, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::format(string $format): string, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /html/drupal/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::setTimezone($tz, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::setTimezone(DateTimeZone $timezone): DateTime, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /html/drupal/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
  • Deprecated function: Optional parameter $base_table declared before required parameter $options is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 3492 of /html/drupal/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Optional parameter $base_field declared before required parameter $options is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 3492 of /html/drupal/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: strpos(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($haystack) of type string is deprecated in url_is_external() (line 2393 of /html/drupal/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in url_is_external() (line 2395 of /html/drupal/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: ltrim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in url() (line 2311 of /html/drupal/includes/common.inc).

Berlin Conference 2020 - Common Responsibilities for a Europe Bottom-up.

04.11.2020

Sunday, November 8th & Monday, November 9th

Citizens throughout Europe, their cities and regions are the potential of the European Union. This is where the competence and responsibility for the successful development of the European process lies.
The importance of grassroots initiatives must be recognized institutionally.

The necessary contribution of grassroots initiatives to the success of the European project deserves the active appreciation and support of the EU institutions - not only through well-meant praise and recognition, but also and not least through structural and financial assistance.

Reflection on the responsibility we all share for the success of a common Europe cannot be equated with a "release" of the European institutions and the nation states. On the contrary: as citizens become more involved in Europe, their right to demand more serious, honest and committed work for Europe from those with political responsibility in the EU and its member states is growing.

The Stiftung Zukunft Berlin and its initiatives Cities for Europe, A Soul for Europe and We are Europe have developed concrete demands for the European Parliament in an Action Agenda and will discuss the basic conditions for a bottom-up Europe on this basis at the "Berlin Conference" on November 8 and 9, 2020.

Taking part in the discussion:

  • Representatives from culture and business, such as Klaus Maria Brandauer (actor), Serhij Zhadan (writer), Barrie Kosky (director of the Komische Oper Berlin), Marcel Fratzscher (president DIW Berlin),
  • Representatives* of European city governments and societies, such as Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin, Emil Boc (Cluj-Napoca, Romania); Maximilian Wonke (Panketal, Germany); Mohamed Ridouani (Leuven, Belgium); Martin Guillermo (Secretary General, Association of European Border Regions)
  • active and former members of the European Parliament such as the EU Commissioner for Innovation and Youth, Mayria Gabriel, Hannah Neumann, Gabriele Bischoff, Hannes Heide, Doris Pack, Hans-Gert Pöttering, Jo Leinen, and Hannes Swoboda

Schedule: https://asoulforeurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Programme-Berlin-co...

 

Cooperation meeting: 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall - Europe "from the bottom up"

01.10.2019

Friday, November 8, 2019, Allianz Forum Berlin, Pariser Platz 6

Cooperation Meeting

DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAMME (PDF)

The results of the European elections in 2019 are encouraging - not least the significantly increased turnout and large demonstrations in the streets of Europe show: Citizens, many of them, want this Europe. It is an important political issue for them. The necessary consequence: Europe must be driven forward more than before by strength and enthusiasm "from the bottom up". Cities and regions have a decisive role to play in this. In Europe, they are the institutions of the grass roots.

We are convinced that responsible local politicians are now faced with the decision of whether they want to embrace this interest, this mission from their citizens and also accept and execute politics for Europe also as a local political task. Whether they regard it as part of the performance and success of local politics to align their work with the European political interests of their citizens or not. The full-day cooperation meeting on 8 November 2019 in Berlin would like to use the Cities for Europe Initiative to discuss the challenges and tasks of such a Europe-oriented local policy with representatives of European city governments and the civil society.

The conference will begin with a public discussion with Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the Committee of the Regions, Luca Jahier, President of the European Economic and Social Committee and Rafal Dutkiewicz, former mayor of Wroclaw,who will discuss the responsibility of grassroots initiatives for the success of Europe with European and German mayors and city representatives present.

Afterwards, five working groups will discuss specific challenges and functioning models for cities in Europe. Building on topics already developed in 2018, the focus will be on the potential of cities and their culture and history. These include cities that want to be role models with their self-conception as European cities, be it as "festival cities", as former or future candidate cities for the title of European Capital of Culture or on the subject of refugees and migration. The topics " Understanding local history in a European way" and "Youth theatres work for Europe" will also be addressed. The results and demands of the working groups are then fed back to the political level.

The Marketplace Europe also offers the opportunity to arrange meetings between cities and civil society projects and initiatives.

The entire event is open to the public. Please register under the following registration link: https://citiesforeurope.eu/cfe2019

Online-Debate: 30 Years after the Fall of the Wall: Europe from the “bottom-up”

29.08.2019

Online Debate

The results of the European elections in 2019 give reason to be optimistic — indeed, the significantly increased voter turnout and the numerous demonstrations in the streets of Europe show that a majority of citizens want this Europe. However, the political process that lead to the nomination of the President of the European Commission made it clear that we need — now more than ever — to strengthen, empower and encourage the development of the Europe “from the bottom-up”.

Verena Ringler in her article “Einen Bürgerkommissar für die EU, bitte!” strongly argues for a Citizen´s Commissioner in order to represent the citizens with the institutions of the European Union and to give an institutional framework for all the different civil-society activities happening across Europe. On November 8th, the initiative “Cities for Europe”, in cooperation with other civil society initiatives such as A Soul for Europe and Wir sind Europa, organizes a one day-long cooperation meeting in Berlin where we would like to discuss challenges and tasks of a Europe from the “bottom up”. Together with representatives of European cities and stakeholders of civil society, we would like to discuss the impact of the political power of European citizens — as well as the challenges of a European-oriented local policy.

Interested? Join our online debate at medium.com/asoulforeurope and your statements will be accordingly discussed during the “Cities for Europe” cooperation meeting of European Mayors, city representatives and stakeholders of civil society in Berlin.

Report: Committed to Europe Conference 2018

21.11.2018

photos: Jule Halsinger, seasaw-foto.com

The topic of this year's "Cities for Europe" conference was "Committed to Europe" and dealt with the responsibility of cities and their citizens for Europe with a special focus on the upcoming European elections in May 2019. 120 committed Europeans, projects, initiatives and interested citizens from all over Europe met on Saturday 10 November 2018 in Berlin City Hall and discussed the following questions: How can the citizens commit themselves to Europe? What can cities and municipalities contribute to a united Europe? What is the special role of culture?
The conference was opened by Sawsan Chebli (Federal Representative for Berlin and Secretary of State for Civil Engagement and International Affairs), spokesperson Brigitte Russ-Scherer (former Mayor) and Volker Hassemer (Chairman of Stiftung Zukunft Berlin, former Senator). Referring to the Brexit and the emerging nationalist forces in Europe, Ms Chebli stressed how important cities and their citizens are for Europe, especially when the national governments threaten them. Ms Russ-Scherer also took up current challenges of the European Union, but at the same time expressed her confidence, as pro-European initiatives and projects that advocate a united Europe are forming. Less optimistic and with a very direct call to action, cultural scientist and sociologist Caroline Robertson-von Trotha (Karlsruhe Institute for Technology) spoke of urgently needed networking and productive use of resources: "The main responsibility for a diverse Europe lies with the cities. They need the support and consistent cross-border exchange as well as close cooperation between politics and civil society, industry and science". Christophe Rouillon, Mayor of the French city Coulaines and Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions, stressed the importance of friendships between cities and citizens. The strategy of his city above all is to work very closely with young people and schools. The city of Coulaines invests 30 percent of its budget in the education sector. Afterwards, six different initiatives and projects were presented to the plenary. Among them was the Advocate Europe winner 2018, "Democracy Fitness". Subsequently, the central questions of the conference and strategies for future action were discussed in three workshops.
This year, 31 initiatives from civil society, education and culture presented themselves at the EUROPEAN MARKETPLACE. The projects had the opportunity to network with each other and to join forces for future collective campaigns. The colorfully designed partitions were visually supported by monitors that illustrated the work of the initiatives in various videos.
The event ended with the artistic proclamation of the "European Republic". The "European Balcony Project", initiated by political scientist Ulrike Guèrot and writer Robert Menasse, took place simultaneously in 150 cities all over Europe.  At Berlin City Hall, around 200 people joined the proclamation by Berlin actor Christian Dieterle, who, accompanied by two trombones, proclaimed the Republic in German, French, English and Italian. Afterwards, the Ernst Senff Choir sang European songs.  Symbolically, the visitors could create a fictitious passport of the proclaimed European Republic.

Conference "Committed to Europe" on 10 November 2018

10.11.2018

The topic of the conference was the responsibility of cities and their citizens for Europe with a clear focus on the special challenges for Europe six months prior to the 2019 European elections in May 2019. 

The conversation thus focused on the following aspects: 

  1. Europe affects all of us: we, the European citizens, as well as the elected representatives are responsible for intensifying and strengthening the European integration project. 
  2. We have to develop Europe from the bottom up: Europe is not only driven by institutions and governments but also by citizens themselves.
  3. European cities and European culture play a fundamental role in determining the future of Europe - particularly at this point in time, when the 2019 European elections are only half a year away.

What have cities and their citizens achieved for Europe? How to increase the impact of civic engagement? How to activate citizens for Europe? How to involve the respective urban community in this commitment? What can cities and their citizens do on a local level to increase participation in the European elections as well as to support pro-European forces? What ideas are available in local structures and networks and how can they be used effectively? What is the role of town twinnings? Which networks on a local and a European level provide an opportunity for collaboration? How to increase the number of cities that are active for Europe, and how to pool their strengths? Which role do the European Capitals of Culture play in these efforts? Which initiatives and projects can be transferred to other European cities?

In addition to a keynote speech, the presentation of a few cities' exemplary strategies and approaches, and the EUROPEAN MARKET PLACE - in which initiatives and projects can presented their work - the conference offered participants various occasions for networking and to exchange experiences. We also looked forward to a special intervention by The European Balcony Project.

Watch the recorded Livestream of our Conference on the top of this post or directly on Facebook and follow #CommittedtoEurope on Twitter. Schedule and all further details in the post below!

'Cities for Europe' would like to thank the following partners for their support:

Auswärtiges Amt | Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb) | Senatskanzlei von Berlin

Report: A Soul for Europe Conference 2017

24.01.2018

Impressionen der Konferenz

Photos: Jule Halsinger, www.seesaw-photo.com

Within the conference „A Soul for Europe 2017“ the initiative „Cities for Europe“ organized one part of the program in which they examined the question by what actions cities are able to enhance Europe’s strength. The following issues were discussed: How are different political levels – locally, nationally, continentally – dealing with their responsibility for Europe? What contributions are citizens able to make and how could one activate them to participate?The conference started with an opening statement from Juan Gabriel Vásquez (Author) and Karl-Heinz Lambertz (President of the Committee of the Regions), showcasing the discrepancy from an artistic and cultural point with a political view. Juan Gabriel Vásquez made an appeal to use social media as an instrument to shape Europe’s narrative, whereas Karl-Heinz Lambertz focused on the mutual benefit of cities and regions and the European Union: As the EU has an impact on cities and regions, so should the cities and regions have an influence on the EU.

Following the keynotes, an open debate on the topic “How can cities and citizens strengthen Europe?” took place which led to a discussion between members of the civil society (Urzula Bertin, Pulse of Europe), local politicians (Michael Cramer, MdEP), Karl-Heinz Lambertz (Committee of the Regions) and cultural representatives (Søren Schumann, rbb/arte). This talk was moderated by speakers of the initiative Brigitte Russ-Scherer (former Mayor of Tübingen) and Hella Dunger-Löper (former State Secretary for European Affairs, City of Berlin).

Beside the dialogue between politic, culture and civil society on a local and on a European level was another main focus the presentation and exchange of best-practice strategies for projects on a European level. “Marketplace Europe” was an exhibition on partition walls of 33 successful projects and approaches from different European cities and municipalities. These projects were given the opportunity to show their approaches, goals and achievement on posters and as films on one of four visual display units. Project representatives informed in one-to-one conversations about their projects. The participants used this opportunity, to exchange ideas and information about their work.

"Who assumes responsibility for Europe?”

20.10.2017

"A Soul for Europe” - Conference 2017

Conference Banner

The “A Soul for Europe“ Conference takes place on November 10th and 11th for the ninth time this year. Its topic “Who assumes responsibility for Europe – How citizens, cities and parliaments should cooperate for Europe” will initially be publicly discussed on Friday evening at the inaugural event at the Allianz Forum. Representatives from all levels of political responsibility will be in attendance and present statements, these include: Emil Boc, Mayor Cluj-Napoca; Rüdiger Kruse, MdB; Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President Committee of the Regions; Jo Leinen, MEP; Gerry Woop, State Secretary for European Affairs, City of Berlin and the artist Juan Gabriel Vasquez.

Just as in the years previously exemplary civil society projects and initiatives that aim to take responsibility for the European Project will be presented at the European Marketplace. This years’ projects span from Project N.N. from Novi Sad, a cultural center at the periphery of Serbia’s second largest city, to the European Solidarity Corps, who are bringing together young volunteers with projects all over Europe, as well as 70TK, an initiative to preserve and rediscover the cultural heritage of Tatavla, a traditionally Greek-Armenian neighborhood of Istanbul. The questions the European Marketplace aims to address are as follows: How can one describe the “local” Europe? Which projects and initiatives manage to strengthen the peaceful coexistence and tolerance in different city districts? Which projects and initiatives succeed in reducing prejudices? What can culture contribute to enhance integration locally? And how do local projects support the European Project?

On Saturday, 11th of November, we will be approaching the main question of the conference: “How citizens, cities and parliaments should cooperate for Europe” through a variety of formats including panel discussions, kick-off speeches, artistic workshops and project presentations at Radialsystem V. Representatives from various areas and levels of politics and society will be present, including Martina Michels, MdA; Radomir Lazović, an activist from Belgrade; the author Priya Basil; Michael Cramer, MEP); spokespeople of various European projects as well as the actress and director Leni Huyghde. The workshops will be held in parallel and fall into three thematic tracks: “Cities for Europe”, “Europe from the Bottom-Up” and “Arts & Politics – A Good Match?”.

To put it in a nutshell, the conference aims to shift focus to the constitutive role of citizens and urban communities and to connect this foundation of European development with other levels of responsibility.

Everyone is very welcome to join in the discussion, contribute ideas or to just listen. Conference attendance is free of charge, however, registration is necessary.

In preparation of the conference you can already join our online debate today.

Please also join our Facebook event that will be updated on a regular basis.

Additional information as well as the programme can be found here: https://www.asoulforeurope.eu/event/soul-europe-conference-2017

Der Blaue Bär - Blue Bear award

08.06.2017

On 9th May 2017, the European “Blauer Bär” was awarded for the third time. In the third year, the "Blauer Bär" pays homage to Berlin and Brandenburg initiatives, associations and for outstanding civil society commitment in and for Europe. The prize is awarded by the Senate Administration for Culture and Europe and the Representation of the European Commission in Germany.
This year there were 21 nominees. Three particularly successful ones were carefully chosen and awarded the prize. The two small bears went to the Junge Europäische Bewegung Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. and the Club der polnischen Versager e.V.. The large “Blauer Bär” was awarded to the Berlin team of Pulse of Europe.
We as Cities for Europe attach importance to the “Blauen Bär” award, because it shows excellent European projects in European cities.

Cities for Europe for #PulseofEurope

04.05.2017

Pulse of Europe

On 25th March 2017 Brigitte Russ-Scherer participated at the Pulse of Europe demonstration in Berlin and delivered a speech for Europe.

The Pulse of Europe rallies take place,in more than 90 European cities every Sunday and unite European citizens who demonstrate as a European community for a Europe, which is based on respect for human dignity, the rule of law, freedom of thought and action and tolerance.

We are looking forward to further cooperation in the future. You are welcome at the Gendarmenmarkt every Sunday at 2 pm!

 

 

International Weeks against Racism: Start 2017 in Heidelberg

12.03.2017

To set a sign for diversity and against racism is the aim for the International Weeks against Racism. The action weeks take place every year around the International Day against Racism on March 21 which was established since 1966 by the United States. The foundation „International Weeks against Racism“ requests participation of around 70 institutions and organizations throughout Germany. This year it starts on 13 March 2017 in the Intercultural Centre in Heidelberg. This centre participated through exemplary initiatives to the welcoming culture and the integration process and invites all the institutions and actors of the civil society to engage actively in order to strengthen the diverse urban society. See for further information: internationale-wochen-gegen-rassismus.de.

 

Pages