Cities in Europe 2020
The ICLEI European Convention 2011 "Cities in Europe 2020 - Enhance sustainability now!" will act as a forum to discuss the implementation of Europe-wide sustainability measures in cities focusing on the EU 2020 Strategy and its seven flagship initiatives.
On 12-14 September 2011 ICLEI members representatives of the business community and local government decision makers will gather to engage in high level discussion, share knowledge and gain insight views from experts and pioneer cities innovative solutions.
The three-day programme promises to feature a preliminary review of European local sustainability achievements and the key next steps needed to move Europe and its cities forward in light of the UN Rio + 20 Conference in 2012.
Objectives
The Convention will engage participants in a captivating discussion of the immediate and future challenges facing European cities in their quest to create sustainable societies. Itsexperience promises to be informative, beneficial and transformative for participants.
The Convention is about tackling the most crucial sustainability questions facing societies. European cities and representatives of European institutions will unite to answer questions such as:
- Are the Europe 2020 Strategy and the overall policy objectives for the EU and its Member States sufficiently sustainable to guarantee a secure foundation for this and future generations?
- What does the Europe 2020 Strategy mean for local governments?
- Should Europe change its focus from "growth" to enhancing sustainability, or are these concepts compatible?
- Are sustainable growth and green economy, as set in the EU2020 Strategy, a sufficient political response?
- How can more concrete sustainable action and the appropriate political response from local governments overcome today's crises?
- How can we push forward the Dunkerque Local Sustainability Declaration and the Dunkerque Call on Climate Action, outcomes of the 6th European Sustainable Cities and Town Conference in Dunkerque in 2010?