Sustainable territorial and local development

How sustainable development can help local authorities address the current challenges posed by the economic, social and climate crisis. This will be the main focus of the 6th European Sustainable Cities and Towns Conference, to be held in Dunkirk from 19 to 21 May.

 

During this event, the biggest since the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in 2009, attendees will have the opportunity to present innovative solutions and examine potential cooperation areas between different sectors.

 

Several networking opportunities will be offered to the 1 500 participants expected to attend the conference, which should include local authority representatives, NGOs, European and national networks of local authorities, research institutes and high representatives from national governments, European institutions and international organisations.

 

To stimulate exchanges, a meeting place, named Agora, will give attendees not included in the programmethe opportunity to present their local initiatives, policies and research projects revolving around sustainable development. This area will be made available to participants during coffee and lunch breaks, allowing for an informal atmosphere favourable to discussion and interaction.

 

Throughout the three-day conference, inventive session formats and original methodologies will offer unique brainstorming opportunities to discuss the necessary political commitments to encourage sustainable development. Dunkerque 2010 will also present local authorities with the opportunity to position themselves as leaders in the field.