Rotterdam, Netherlands, 11 September 2024 – Representing the European Forum for Urban Security (Efus), Elizabeth Johnston, Executive Director, joined Rotterdam’s outgoing mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, who is stepping down after 15 years, at a symposium he organised at City Hall to reflect on the evolving role of mayors in our contemporary society. The event gathered fellow mayors, Dutch ministers and members of Parliament, and academics.
Winner of the World Mayor Prize
Mayor of Rotterdam since 2009, Ahmed Aboutaleb, who moved to the Netherlands from Morocco at the age of 15, made history as the first leader of a large Dutch city of immigrant background and Muslim faith. He received the 2021 World Mayor Prize for his dedication to equality and inclusion, alongside the mayor of another Efus member, the French city of Grigny.
An engaged member since 2007
The city of Rotterdam has been a long-standing friend of the European Forum for Urban Security and a committed and engaged member since 2007. Rotterdam is currently Vice President of our network and has been a member of our Executive Committee since 2012. Alongside fellow elected officials and Executive Committee members, Mayor Aboutaleb has been over the years a true inspiration for other European cities, notably during Efus’ triennial Security, Democracy and Cities conference.
Under his leadership, the city of Rotterdam has contributed to a broad range of issues on which Efus is working, ranging from the prevention of radicalisation to innovation in crime prevention. As Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam is faced with the pressing challenge of fighting organised crime and as such is leading, together with the city of Amsterdam, a thematic Efus working group.
The evolving role of mayors
At a time when local authorities throughout Europe shoulder increasing responsibilities and expectations from citizens, the outgoing Rotterdam mayor wanted to mark the end of his mandate with a symposium to “exchange ideas about our office and how it moves with the times. Nowadays, the mayor is not only the guardian of public order and safety as per the Law, but increasingly plays the role of a mediator in a society sometimes permeated by strong emotions. How to give everyone a voice, a place, an opportunity, and how to interpret the voice of society?,” he said.
Close cooperation
Speaking after the event, Efus’ Executive Director Elizabeth Johnston said that “Mayor Aboutaleb has always surrounded himself with highly committed and qualified professionals, which has enabled Efus and the city of Rotterdam to cooperate remarkably well. We are grateful for his dedication to European cooperation, crime prevention, security and social justice. His openness to sharing and discussing his vision has been truly inspiring. We are looking forward to pursuing our cooperation with the city of Rotterdam and its new mayor, Carola Schouten.”
Picture above, from left to right: Ineke Nierstrasz, Coordinator, European and International Affairs, city of Rotterdam; Ahmed Aboutaleb, outgoing Mayor of Rotterdam; Elizabeth Johnston, Executive Director, Efus; Corine Duitman, Director of the Department of Public Safety, city of Rotterdam, and André Vervooren, former Director of the Department of Public Safety, city of Rotterdam.
