Integrating Cities

[i]European policies, local practices [/i]

Conference 8 - 10 October 2006 Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Cities continue to grow and attract people from across the globe. Citizens - diverse as their backgrounds may be - build communities of common interests and shared values first and foremost where they live and work, namely in bigger or smaller cities. In those localities the greatest challenges and opportunities can be found in including people (among them immigrants) and in building integrated neighbourhoods and cities and participatory societies. Integration is essentially about the acceptance and respect for people with different values, beliefs and culture, as well as the commitment to working together on a common future in which all have a stake. Integration is a shared responsibility of public and private institutions: from European to national and local governments; from voluntary organisations and immigrant organisations to social partners and religious organisations. Integration as a societal process should be supported and promoted by general and targeted public policies. Communication and dialogue between European, national and local governance levels make it possible to anticipate and assess the impact of measures taken at one level, on another level. "Integrating Cities: European Policies, Local Practices" is a conference which brings together policy makers and practitioners, acting at local and European level with a view to find ways for better co-operation and to reinforce existing mechanisms. Visit the official site: http://www.integratingcities.nl/