Paris, France, October 2018 – The success of Efus’ last “Security, Democracy and Cities” conference hosted in November 2017 by the city of Barcelona and the government of Catalonia, as well as the wish expressed by numerous participants to see it held more often, has led us to choose the autumn of 2020 as the date for our next international conference. Efus is therefore calling member cities and regions to express without delay their interest in being the venue for this major event.
In order to respond to the speed with which urban security issues, research and local prevention policies in Europe as well as elsewhere in the world are evolving, it appeared appropriate to hold this conference, which is truly one-of-a-kind, more often. For the above reasons, Efus chose the autumn of 2020 as the date for the next conference.
Efus’ “Security, Democracy and Cities” conference is cross-sectoral and focused on the exchange of practices, experience and knowledge on urban security and crime prevention in Europe and the world. It is meant for all urban security stakeholders: elected officials, local authority executives, magistrates, security professionals, social workers, researchers and civil society representatives.
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> An international showcase for the host city
For the host city or region, the event is a unique opportunity to showcase their assets and activities to an international audience, in particular because of the press coverage given to the conference. In 2017 in Barcelona, some 15 European media outlets were in attendance and published reports before, during and after the event.
In addition, the name of the host city/region is associated with the “Security, Democracy and Cities” manifesto that is adopted at the end of the conference. Disseminated throughout the network and with all the organisations and institutions Efus is in contact with, as well as the media, the manifesto can be used as a communication tool by the host city/region.
The importance of the international “Security, Democracy and Cities” conference can be best measured with a few key figures: the 2017 event gathered some 800 attendees representing 130 local and regional authorities from 47 countries and the five continents. The rich programme included four plenary sessions, 16 workshops, 17 field visits and 30 “zoom” thematic sessions.
> Who can apply?
Any city or region member of Efus is invited to apply. The main requisites are to embrace the “Security, Democracy and Cities” manifesto’s principles and ethos, to have a demonstrable political commitment to crime prevention and urban security, to be easily accessible from Europe’s major cities, and to have an adequate venue (i.e. congress hall or other large capacity meeting hall) as well as a range of hotel accommodation nearby.
> What are the deadlines?
The deadline for the reception of applications is Thursday 15 November 2018. This being said, we would appreciate if you could let us know as soon as possible if you’re interested in presenting your city/region’s application.
Efus’ Executive Committee will evaluate the applications and Efus will make its decision publically known at the end of the year. The 2020 conference host city/region will be announced to the whole network at the 2019 General Assembly meeting, scheduled to take place on 11-12 April 2019 in Augsburg (DE).
Preparatory work between Efus’ technical team and the host city will begin in earnest in early 2019.
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