The role of civil society is crucial to creating and maintaining inclusive cities. More and more city authorities acknowledge that they cannot develop and implement policies on social inclusion and diversity on their own. Both actors have a key role to play in achieving full and equal participation of minority and marginalized residents in urban settings. At a time when many local authorities are experiencing an increased strain on their resources and communities, how can effective partnerships between city administrations and civil society actors be nurtured and sustained?
As illustrated in the At Home in Europe Project report Living Together: Projects Promoting Inclusion in 11 EU Cities, a number of initiatives are being taken to increase contacts and effective dialogue between civil society actors and local policy- and decision-makers allowing them to work together as equal partners to support and advance the social inclusion of all groups.
Supported by the Open Society Foundations’ At Home in Europe Project, Cities of Migration hosted a free international webinar examing strategic city-led initiatives that strengthen the capacity of city councils, civil society organizations and ordinary citizens to work together for more inclusive communities and strong democratic institutions.
The webinar features presentations on concrete projects from two of the eleven cities studied in the Muslims in EU Cities reports: Antwerp (Belgium) and the London Borough of Waltham Forest (United Kingdom), and listeners to the webinar recording will learn about successful initiatives in the two cities.
Speakers
- Claire Witney, Community Engagement Manager, London Borough of Waltham Forest
- Naima Charkaoui, Director, Minderhedenforum (Forum of Ethnic Cultural Minorities)
- Leen Verbist, Alderman, Antwerp City Council