News archive - Reviews of the European Week of Regions and Cities (7-10 October 2019 | Brussels)
The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance. In 2019, the 17th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities took place from 7-10 October 2019 in Brussels.
The event was created in 2003 when the European Committee of the Regions invited Brussels-based local and regional representations to the European Union to open their doors to visitors simultaneously. One year later the European Commission's DG for Regional Policy also joined the adventure.
Developing from the initial concept, the event has become a European networking platform for experts in regional and local development. Exchange of good practice in economic development and social inclusion, cross-border cooperation, public-private partnerships, regional innovation and community-led local development have become some of its many topics.
Over the years, the event has grown into the key event on EU Regional Policy. In fact, this year's event was visited by over 9.000 attendees (local, regional, national and European decision-makers and experts) from 70 countries for workshops and debates, exhibitions and networking opportunities. Over 1.000 speakers shared their insights at over 300 sessions.
The events spread throughout the city, but the main venues were the SQUARE Brussels Convention Centre, located next to the central railway station, and the building of the European Committee of the Regions next door to the European Parliament.
Every year, the different workshops follow a series of red threads related to the current European situation. This year the three main topics were:
- A Greener Europe,
- A Europe Closer to Citizens and
- The Future of the EU and the roles of the Regions and Cities.
The seminars and the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions discussed the policies on climate change and sustainable development, the conditions for entrepreneurship and business activities and the content of the EU’s multiannual financial framework and the urgency of deciding on it to ensure that all activities can fully continue as the new term begins at the beginning of 2021. Other topics brought up at almost every seminar included new innovations, digitalisation and the dissemination of good solutions as quickly as possible through collaboration between regions and cities. Brexit and its consequences were also among the topics discussed.
Sources and further relevant information on the event:
Website European Week of Regions and Cities
- Europe
- Cross-thematic/Interdisciplinary
Entry created by Admin WBC-RTI.info on October 21, 2019
Modified on December 2, 2019
