Friday, November 8, 2019, Allianz Forum Berlin, Pariser Platz 6
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
ropean “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.
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: 
Europe is fun - at least for the students who participate in the European Competition which is Germany‘s oldest school competition. This competition aims to promote the creativity and Europe-competence of young people. According to the motto of the 64. European Competition (school year 2016/2017) „United in diversity – Europe between tradition and modernity“ it puts the culture into the centre. The pupils are engaged to discover the rich cultural treasure and to deal with the cultural diversity of Europe. There are different questions for different grades. Culture was selected as a topic for the competition by the steering committee because the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is celebrated in 2017. Around 80.000 students take part in the European Competition. Closing date for the works for the European Competition 2017 is the 10th February 2017. You will find further information at: 
