experience Tampere presents: waste, etc.). They can also act as local cultural guides; organise visits, workshops or “Adopt a monument” presentations; collect scientific data about the adopted site; or design information Tampere is the third-largest city in Finland and In order to encourage citizens to actively panels for the promotion of cultural heritage. has a population of 231,853 inhabitants. It’s engage in the “adoption” of these forgotten However, tasks requiring specialised skills are the country’s largest inland city and a major yet culturally and historically significant carried out by professionals (archaeologists, urban, economic and cultural centre. The city monuments, Tampere launched a project restorers, expert curators, etc.). Volunteers is home to two hundred lakes and ponds, with known as “Adopt a monument” in 2008, run can be individuals, communities, associations, 24% of its area being water. Tampere is a hub by the Vapriikki Museum. The aim is to take companies or public entities, such as a school. for cutting-edge technology, research and care of these monuments or landmarks, make business and has been an industrial pioneer in them visible and, in some cases, give them a The enthusiasm of everyone involved in the Finland since the eighteenth century. new lease of life. initiative, together with the know-how of the professionals, has resulted in a highly effective Our environment is full of places, buildings, The “adopters” are responsible for the care of experience that has had a great impact. So constructions, etc. that have hardly been archaeological sites, historical constructions far, approximately 40 sites or monuments studied or have been forgotten about, and little-known buildings such as windmills, have been “adopted”, with more than 3,000 resulting in this historical and cultural heritage train stops, pavilions, chapels, kiosks, bridges, thousand participants involved in the project. not being listed and conserved as such. hills, burial mounds, historic or prehistoric 22 towns in the Tampere Region have signed However, they are part of our history. fortifications, etc. in need of maintenance up to the initiative, which has also been works because they are derelict or unused. extended to other Finnish cities. To take part in the experience, the volunteers receive basic training to carry out their tasks. Presented by: City of Tampere An initiative to foster Their work as such involves researching the Contact: Ms Tuija-Liisa Soininen, Director of volunteer work in order history of the monuments, creating action the Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum, Vapriikki plans and carrying out maintenance (cutting Museum Centre to upkeep, conserve and back vegetation, painting surfaces, repairing e-mail: Tuija-liisa.soininen@tampere.fi promote local heritage. windows, cleaning roofs and gutters, removing editorial Commitment to the principles of the Charter Cities (IAEC) thought it would be useful to various municipal departments and services, of Educating Cities is a holistic political provide guidelines for the application of the i.e. the famous idea of cross-institutional choice, far from pro-party interpretations, Charter. Hence, the publication of “From cooperation; and the external route, which to the extent that it entails commitment to reading the Charter to constructing an consists of genuine engagement and a city model governed by inclusion, equal Educating City”, a methodological guide teamwork between the city council and opportunities, social justice, participatory to be tailored to each city, depending on its citizens. Only by talking with people, sharing democracy, cross-cultural coexistence, course, characteristics and context. problems, visions and ambitions, and creating intergenerational dialogue, the promotion empathies will we construct an Educating City of a healthy and environmentally-friendly The idea of this tool is for member cities based on the values of social inclusion and lifestyle, the planning of an accessible and to renew or reaffirm their commitment cohesion, which the Charter fosters. interconnected city, cooperation and peace, to making headway in the construction of among other aspects. All these principles are an Educating City and consolidating their We recommend using the guide as a starting aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda advances in order to prioritise education on point, from which each city can map out its for Sustainable Development. the municipal agenda. What’s more, it sets own course, and not as an ending point or out to encourage new cities to embark upon closed purpose in itself. Almost thirty years after it was first drafted, this fascinating process of constructing an the Charter has culminated in procedures Educating City, either at the initiative of their IAEC Secretariat which at different paces and with different leaders or encouraged by the community. c/ Avinyó 15, 4th floor scopes have delivered outstanding results in 08002 Barcelona (Spain) each city. The guide suggests two ways to approach Ph. + 34 93 342 77 20 the municipal government: the internal E-mail: bidce@bcn.cat This is exactly why the Executive Committee route, which underlines the need for true of the International Association of Educating coordination and exchange between the did you know that... The 2019 International Day of the support from the city councils of Soledade citizenship in Spanish cities’, led by the Educating City will be taking place on 30 and Marau. The months of April and May 2019 University of Barcelona with the support of November under the slogan ‘Improving the also saw National Congresses being held by the National Distance Education University City by Listening’. Check out our website the territorial networks of Argentina (Godoy of Madrid, the University of Seville and the to see proposals for the event or to get Cruz: Sustainable cities and communities), University of La Coruña. The key goal of inspired by browsing the activities carried Mexico (León-Guanajuato: The Educating this research project is to make headway out by other cities at previous editions: City, creating spaces for peace) and Portugal in the idea of children’s engagement in the www.edcities.org/international-day-2019/ (Lagoa do Algarve : Creating (in) the city). city and their inclusion as active citizens. The 2020 Educating Cities Award will The IAEC has carried out a review of the honour three innovative experiences under the projects available in our Experience Databank, umbrella of ‘Inclusion and democratisation of which will now provide better search results. culture’. Cities that meet the requirements can Take a look at the initiatives of member cities submit their projects up to 2 December 2019. on: www.edcities.org/en/bank-experiences/ Would your city like to host the IAEC The IAEC partnered with the UCLG in the International Congress scheduled for The member cities of the Asia-Pacific drafting of the third edition of the Local and 2022? Do you have a proposal that could region will be meeting in Dangjin (South Korea) Regional Governments Report, Towards the be of interest to member cities? Send us in October under the slogan ‘Sustainable city Localisation of the SDGs, specifically in SDG 4, your applications to host the event by 3 and education’. Meanwhile, the Northern which was presented on 15 July in New York at the February! On the IAEC website you’ll find the European Working Group will be convening United Nations High-Level Political Forum. The requirements and criteria to become a candidate. in Brussels to continue analysing education report includes a wide range of initiatives carried as a means of social inclusion. What’s more, out by more than thirty IAEC cities to illustrate the next meeting of the Portuguese Network that local governments are key innovation hubs will be taking place in Pombal at the start of in formal, non-formal and informal education. November, while the Spanish cities will be getting together in Seville in March 2020 for their 15th meeting under the slogan ‘Cities that feel, breathe and embrace’. The 2nd Meeting of Educating and Smart The IAEC is taking part in the R&D project Cities recently took place, organised by ‘Children and engagement. Analysis and the University of Passo Fundo (Brazil) with proposals for an active and inclusive © UCLG 02 Educating Cities interview Dr Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo Mayor of Mexico City Being the first woman elected to the Mexico City you implementing to reduce insecurity and government is a commitment to the defence give the streets back to the people? of women’s human rights, the fight against misogyny and all forms of gender violence, and The Patrol Neighbourhood Programme the creation of an inclusive city. This is essential (Programa de Cuadrantes) is a strategy to reduce inequalities and provide development to fight crime and foster closer proximity opportunities for everyone. between citizens and the security forces. It was aimed at creating more effective police Mexico City is at the forefront of the promotion responses, as well as a more effective control of women’s rights and the recognition of of the police forces, with a view to improving diverse families. We will also continue working security for everyone living in or visiting hard on the eradication of gender violence, the country’s capital city. What’s more, the justice in the event of femicides, educational “Yes to weapon surrender, yes to peace” programmes for the prevention of teenage strategy sets out to reduce the high rates of pregnancy, and the financial independence and violence by raising public awareness about empowerment of women in today’s society. the risks of carrying weapons. We’ve also implemented series of transformations in the That’s why we hope to overhaul the current Centre for Command, Control, Computing, Women’s Secretariat to give greater status Communications and Citizen Contact of Mexico The current government programme uses and scope to its actions, along with improving City to foster the prevention and control of the slogan “City of innovation and rights”. access to resources and operational capacity. criminal behaviour. That said, it’s essential Why is this? What’s more, the make-up of the government to implement a comprehensive training and cabinet itself is a clear sign that there’s a firm professionalisation strategy for the security Innovating means that creativity and conviction to working towards an equality- forces that gives them more appropriate and knowledge can be combined. In that sense, based society. sensitised security elements in the care and we foster the use of advances in knowledge, protection of citizens, as well as for a more technology, arts, etc., within the city to You have raised the need to build a new effective fight against crime. improve the quality of life of citizens. What’s relationship with citizens and government more, innovation also means the recognition that engages inhabitants. How is this open Which values do you want to convey through of the historical wealth that we have inherited. and participatory government materialising? the actions of your government? We want to innovate in the environmental and social field, dealing with problems through the A democratic government must include Values are positive characteristics of great use of creative solutions. channels of communication and citizen importance that help us to be better as participation in decision-making processes individuals and as a group. Priority action Meanwhile, it’s essential to rebuild a social that have an impact on their living conditions. plans have been set up in Mexico City, such culture that fosters respect for the rights of Public hearings are an example of this, as a) equal rights; b) the sustainable city; c) each and every one of the individuals living forming a space permanently open, in zero aggression and more security; d) more in the city. This underlines the importance which as the Mayor I welcome, listen to and and better transport options; e) the idea of of the dignity that we deserve as human personally support the demands and requests the cultural capital of Latin America; and f) beings and citizens, and which guarantees of citizens. innovation and transparency. We intend to the best possible living conditions, as well materialise these plans in government actions as opportunities for personal and social In parallel, strategies and tools for citizen to convey a culture of values that are key for development. Therefore, we’re working to services have been bolstered, in order harmonious social coexistence. Without values ensure the right to education for everybody, to improve the services provided by as a reference for how we act individually access to quality public services, decent government agencies and mayor’s offices and towards others, human relationships are housing, mobility, freedom of expression and to the population, in terms of complaints, weakened due to not harbouring common key welfare indicators for all individuals. We’re requests and applications. In this sense, the criteria for life in society. This is based on striving to guarantee the rights of children government of Mexico City, via the Digital the principle of fostering and guaranteeing and teenagers, people with disabilities, senior Agency of Public Innovation, has created the respect, justice, tolerance, fairness, honesty citizens, indigenous peoples and communities, Unified Citizen Attention System, which will and well-being, among others, as essential women and the LGBTQIA community. operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and basic conditions for the healthy and peaceful allow citizens to follow up their requests and coexistence of our society. As the elected Mayor of Mexico City, gender applications. equality policies have an important weigh in your government strategy. How are you The use and enjoyment of public spaces by going to reduce these inequalities found in citizens is an indicator of the perception of More information at www.edcities.org society and in the government? security in the city. What lines of action are Photo: EneasMx - CC BY-SA 4.0 03 Educating Cities A proposal that fosters the engagement of citizens experience c o m m i t t e d t o t h e i r community and who play a “Citizens Open School”, a role in municipal policies. proposal from Vitoria-Gasteiz With 250,051 inhabitants, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a city in northern Spain, nestled in an environment of major biological wealth and with a high quality of life. Proof of this is that the city was nominated European Green Capital in 2012. Its economy has a strong industrial focus and an outstanding development of advanced services. In 2016, the City Council launched the Citizens Open School as a meeting place to provide training with the aim of fostering citizen engagement, promoting the various participation channels and bringing the institution closer to citizens. The Citizens Open School sets out to reach the maximum number of people with different profiles: social organisations, municipal staff, procedures; etc. Another key activity is the Thanks to this initiative, progress is being made policymakers and individual citizens. Therefore, “Knowing Your City Council” initiative that in the modernisation of public administration the programme is developed by and for them. sets out to bring citizens closer to council aimed at a greater transparency of institutions operations and citizen engagement channels and greater citizen engagement with them. It works on a flexible and creative methodology by means of open days, appointments with that combines various formats. Some activities technical managers, and information sessions, Presented by: City of Vitoria-Gasteiz are aimed at training, while others are focused among others. Contact: Mr José Luis Pérez Gómez, on experimentation, research, communication, Director of the Civic Engagement, Transparency evaluation or the proposal of new ideas. All of The Citizens Open School is managed by the and Civic Centres Department them are considered as meeting points where Civic Engagement Department with the help of e-mail: kotelo@vitoria-gasteiz.org it’s possible to share ideas, work together and a technical secretary’s office. Partners include reach agreements. 24 municipal services, other public and/or private institutions, various associations and Some examples of activities are participatory leading members of the academia. dynamics; talks or conferences; round tables; experience sharing events; practical workshops Participants in the activities have shown a high on social skills that foster coexistence; talks level of satisfaction. What’s more, the range and workshops for associations to promote of courses has been extended to respond to membership and streamline the management different interests, which has helped diversify and implementation of administrative and multiply audiences. 04 Educating Cities D.L.: B-31.664-2007 / ISSN: 1887-9640