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.

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.

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.

How can cities contribute to the strengthening of Europe? How can cities fight borders and prejudice? And how can citizens be filled with enthusiasm for the European Union and go into action against right-wing populist and anti-European movements? These were the central questions of the keynotes, workshops and discussions.

Mrs. Hella Dunger-Löper, Former State Secretary for European Affairs of Berlin, welcomed the participants of the conference and pointed out the importance of the cities in the heart of Europe. Richard Kühnel held the engagement of the European Civil society presented by the projects in high regard and referred to the not negligible conflicts in the neighboring European countries. Introduced was the conference by the inauguration speech by Prof. Dr. Oliver Jens Schmitt of the University of Vienna about the “Cultural division of Europe”. He referred to the division of the western and eastern countries of Europe as well as the differences between an “inner” (the member states of the European Union) and an “outer” Europe (Turkey, Russia).

The main focus of the conference was placed on the exchange between politics, culture and civil society on a local and an European level. Furthermore the presentation and the exchange of project examples and strategies in the European practice should be emphasized. The “Marketplace Europe” presented 21 successful projects and promising approaches out of the most different municipalities of Europe in an exhibition in the rotunda of the Allianz Forum. The projects were given the possibility to outline their approaches, aims und successes with posters and videos. During the three workshops all the participants were encouraged to come together in conversation in small groups. The diverse conference formats providing many opportunities for interaction were very positively received by the conference participants. Most initiatives and active citizens especially used the opportunity to network.