Espoo among the first European cities to promote sustainable culture
Together with 30 pioneering European cities, Espoo committed to promoting sustainable culture at the Brussels Urban Summit on 15 June 2023. The Eurocities network and the city of Lille are calling on cities across Europe to develop low carbon and more inclusive cultural services.
The city plays a key role in making art and culture accessible to everyone and in promoting for instance events, which follow the principles of sustainable development. A culturally positive and encouraging atmosphere in the city supports residents' participation and promotes diverse resident collaboration. Espoo develops and implements future-proof service solutions together with partners and residents. All activities promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
"The cultural services and cultural partners in Espoo work closely together to develop a sustainable city that takes all residents into account. Cultural events and museum experiences, library visits, community festivals and diverse public art in different areas of Espoo all promote inclusive sustainable culture and cultural services," says Cultural Director Susanna Tommila.
"It is important for us to be actively involved in the European urban community, to learn from others and to support values, which are important to us. The new commitment is a good starting point for promoting sustainable cultural services in European collaboration. For example, Espoo has not used traditional fireworks in New Year's celebrations for many years. In 2018, Espoo was the first Finnish city to carry out a laser light show in the New Year. We need more of this kind of activity," says First Vice-Chairperson of the City Board, Henna Partanen, who signed the Call for Action on behalf of Espoo.
Brussels Urban Summit prepared for a new election period in the EU
The Brussels Urban Summit brought together members from three different networks of cities. A total of 600 cities from the Eurocities, Metropolis and OECD Champion Mayors networks addressed the changes cities face, such as migration, inequality, and climate change. The cities also prepared joint messages to EU institutions and brainstormed ways to have a stronger impact on EU policies in issues, which are important to cities. The debate was sparked particularly by next year's elections for the European Parliament.
For the first time, a city leadership meeting promoting digitalization, Mayors' Digital Assembly, convened at the conference. In addition, the city leaders discussed the importance of city diplomacy in crises. Espoo was represented at the leadership meetings by Henna Partanen, First Vice-Chairperson of the City Board, and Harri Rinta-aho, Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning.
Espoo’s mentoring programme offers young people and decision-makers opportunities to meet
Espoo representatives also met young future mentors from the city of Eindhoven at the summit. The Dutch mentors hoped to meet representatives of Espoo to thank for the Future Mentors programme launched by Espoo last year. In the programme, 94 young residents from 26 cities across Europe mentored decision-makers in their cities about youth’s dreams, fears and hopes for the future. In Eindhoven, the mentoring programme has continued, and the city is already running its third mentoring round.
"It was a pleasure to meet young people who have found inspiration and ways to engage in dialogue with decision-makers in their hometown through our mentoring programme. I told them about the cornerstones of Espoo's participatory work, such as the Espoo Youth Council and our inclusion practices in daycare centres, schools and youth services. We also heard good examples from Eindhoven", says Harri Rinta-aho, Deputy Mayor of Growth and Learning.
More info
Annika Forstén, Head of International Affairs, annika.forsten@espoo.fi