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Cities as Places of Hope (Brussels)
Cities are pioneering society’s path towards progressive and sustainable systems – join us in Brussels to explore exactly how!
About the Event
If we look at the European Union today, many things do not appear so bright: rising far right nationalism, Brexit, member States resisting alignment on policies concerning climate change or migration.
However, there is another, more optimistic perspective of Europe: one that sees how hopeful movements are unfolding and where progressive cities, together with their citizens, are succeeding in developing future-orientated answers.
Cities are the social laboratories where new answers are designed, tested and implemented. Think of local food policies, cities full of bikes and public transport, renewable energy systems. Those iniatives are embedded in cross-border networks, sharing knowledge and experience, aiming for a sustainable society that respects social and ecological boundaries.
We will welcome speakers at the forefront of these inspiring movements in cities, to discuss and exchange on their experiences and best practices!
Programme
16:00 Welcome
16:10 Cities as places of hope in the EU: presentation of the GEF paper – Merlijn De Rijcke, Oikos Think Tank + Q & A
16:35 How a bold and progressive local mobility policy improved the living conditions of the residents of Ghent – Filip Watteeuw – Alderman of Mobility of the city of Ghent + Q & A
17:05 Coffee break
17:25 Agathe Cavicchioli, Interim Head of City Diplomacy at C40
17:55 Municipal power – Vedran Horvat – Director of Institute for Political Ecology (Croatia) and GEF Board member + Q & A
18:25 BEES Coop (TBC) – Brussels’ first participative supermarket + Q & A
19:00 Networking drinks
Registration
Attendance to this event is free, please register your place via the form found here.