Big changes come from small actions

European cities and regions are actively engaged in global solidarity and they want to let their citizens know about it! Therefore, the first edition of the European Days of Local Solidarity (EDLS) will take place from 12 to 24 November in France, Italy, Latvia & Spain. 

What does an international art exhibition on children’s rights in Paris share with a conference on how to eat and produce food more responsibly in Getxo (Basque Country)? A public discussion on the new goals for global development in Barcelona with free projections and debates on international cooperation in Rome?
They are all initiatives born and hosted in European cities and regions! They are all aimed at informing and raising awareness among European citizens on the need to join efforts to build a more sustainable and inclusive world! And they are all among the programmed activities of the first edition of the European Days of Local Solidarity (EDLS) to take place between 12 and 24 November in 7 cities and regions.
The European Days of Local Solidarity (EDLS) are a pan-European initiative launched by PLATFORMA’s network of towns, cities and regions of Europe active in international development cooperation.

This year programme:

• Local Solidarity fair in Cerdanyola del Vallès

Where? Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
When? 12 November
Who? Diputació de Barcelona
What? In the frame of the local initiative “Tardor Solidària” (Solidar Autumn), a Local Solidarity fair will gather local NGOs and civil society to promote citizen’s engagement, democracy and sustainable development.

• Open Doors on Local Cooperation

Where? AICCRE Headquarters, Rome, Italy
When? 14-18 November
Who? AICCRE
What? AICCRE will open the doors of its headquarters to exchange on local, national, European and international cooperation projects. Film projections, debates, fair trade brunches, workshops and even guided tours in the headquarters will be used to discuss on fair trade and promote citizen’s engagement.

• European Days of Local Solidarity: Vidzeme

Where? Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvia
Who? Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG)
When? 14-18 November
Who? Vidzeme Planning Region
What? Different awareness raising activities will be organized in Vidzeme Planning Region, focused on the flourishing cooperation of the region with Georgian municipalities and regions.

• Seminar on decentralised cooperation: the EU Development Policy

Where? Mérida, Extremadura, Spain
When? 16 November
Who? Regional Government of Extremadura
What? Representatives of the Government of Extremadura, the European Commission and the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) will present experiences and best practices and will discuss with local authorities and civil society ways to better implement EU Development policy and EU funded projects.

• “Objectif enfance”, photo exhibition on the SDGs and Children rights in the frame of the International Day of Children Rights

Where? City of Paris Town Hall
When? 18 to 23 November
Who? City of Paris in coordination with a group of associations (Clowns sans Frontières, ECPAT, Enfants Sans Frontières, Plan France, Secours Islamique de France, Solidarité Laïque, SOS Villages d’Enfants)
What? The City of Paris Town Hall will host an international exhibition organised by seven different NGOs on Children rights in the frame of the current SDGs Agenda. The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo will formally open the exhibition.

• Localising SDGs. International Day of Local Solidarity

Where? Pati Manning, Carrer Montalegre 7, Barcelona, Spain
When? 24 November
Who? Generalitat de Catalunya & Diputació de Barcelona

What? The seminar will present the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Catalan territory mainly to local political representatives and citizens, promoting and discussing about best ways to implement them at the municipal and city level.

• Building sustainable ways of consumption and production at the local level

Where? Edificio Elkartegi, Las Arenas, Getxo, Biscay, Basque Country
When? 24 November
Who? Euskal Fondoa
What? A thematic seminar aimed to present different initiatives developed in the Basque Country in the field of sustainable food production and consumption: research, education, awareness raising, etc.

For more information: www.europeandaysoflocalsolidarity.eu

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