UDiTE TO PARTICIPATE AT THE EUROPEAN SUMMIT OF REGIONS AND CITIES ON 18th & 19th MARCH, 2024
Taking place in Mons, Belgium as part of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, Stéphane Pintre will represent UDiTE at this prestigious gathering of mayors, councilors, regional ministers and senior European officials. and global decision-makers in Mons, in the Walloon region of Belgium, in the heart of Europe, to debate the challenges and solutions for the future of Europe and beyond. Organized by the European Committee of the Regions in collaboration with the Walloon Region and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities will provide a new perspective on subjects at the heart of citizens' concerns, such as democracy, sustainable development, the future of the European Union and its enlargement, the need to ensure social, economic and territorial cohesion and the management of the consequences of the war against Ukraine. Global challenges will be addressed by bringing together different perspectives from around the world. The European Committee of the Regions is particularly proud that this occasion coincides with its 30th anniversary.
Global challenges, local solutions
People everywhere face multiple crises and challenges, and cities and regions are the first to offer solutions. In Mons, we will bring together leaders from around the world to hear their visions for the future of our communities.
Cohesion, well-being and sustainability
People and planet first: this is the approach we need to build a sustainable future. Placed at the heart of cohesion, regions and cities work every day to ensure that no community is left behind. At the Summit, we will show how challenges turn into solutions.
Local means innovation
Innovation starts locally. Cities and regions are at the forefront when it comes to tackling the climate crisis or embarking on the digital revolution, putting citizens at the heart of their visions. In Mons, we will learn from each other to build the future we need.
Cities and regions at the heart of democracy
Democracy starts at the local level. Cities and regions are closest to citizens and those who trust them the most. At the summit, we will discuss their many roles, from political actors to mobilizers of the European elections, including crisis managers and architects of the future.
Mons, a city of nearly one hundred thousand inhabitants located in the southwest of Belgium, has been the cultural capital of Wallonia since 2002. It was European Capital of Culture in 2015.
Endowed with a remarkable architectural, cultural and artistic heritage, Mons is, like the Borinage which surrounds it, characterized by its vibrant industrial past from the 19th century. The mining, textile and steel industries left their mark and attracted a diverse workforce, including many Italians, who contributed to the region's prosperity. Today, the industrial history and legacy of this immigration are an integral part of the city's identity. Mons is experiencing a revival thanks to European funds and a multifaceted development strategy which has enabled it to achieve a complete urban, cultural and economic transformation.
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