On 25 and 26 June, mayors from all over Europe will come together with civil society actors in Palermo for a conference of cities for a Europe of solidarity and propose solutions for the reception of refugees.
While the EU and national governments continue to focus on isolation at all costs, the cities want to put human rights centre stage and initiate a necessary change.
The aim of the conference is to find concrete answers and establish a European alliance of welcoming municipalities. Following the conference, the cities want to continue working closely together and are already planning to meet again in 2022. In addition to the mayors, other prominent guests are also expected, including Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Gesine Schwan and MEP Erik Marquardt.
"Across Europe, cities and citizens are showing that they are ready to welcome migrants and refugees, while human rights violations and refoulement in violation of international law are occurring at Europe's external borders. In the 70th anniversary year of the Geneva Refugee Convention, it is time for the European Union to focus more on cities and municipalities that stand up for fundamental and human rights and are ready to welcome refugees."
Dr Malisa Zobel, Berlin Governance Platform (BGP)
The press team of the "From the Sea to the City" Consortium will be on site and can arrange dialogue partners. Here you will find a detailed briefing with voices from the mayors of Palermo and Potsdam and from the "From the Sea to the City" consortium. Photo and video content from on site can also be provided.
Press contact: Giulia Fellin, Berlin Governance Platform, gfellin@governance-platform.org