Geneva 2013

Welcome to the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns – A green and socially responsible economy: a solution in times of crisis?

Facilitator: Peter Woodward, Director, Quest Associates, United Kingdom

Welcome by:

• Sandrine Salerno, Vice Mayor of the City of Geneva, Switzerland

• Michel Delebarre, Former Minister of State, Senator-Mayor of Dunkerque, Former President and Member of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union

• Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

Inspiration for the future: overcoming the crises through sustainable action

• Micheline Calmy-Rey, Former President of Switzerland

• Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, University of Columbia, USA [presentation]

AUDIO RECORDING – ORIGINAL VERSION

The first plenary will explore scenarios for the future of Europe and provide a sense of urgency regarding the environmental, social and economic status of Europe. It will explore what growth means in a European context, as well as reflect on Europe’s environmental and social challenges. Reflecting on developments on the global level, e.g. the outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio +20, will also be part of this session. The session will specifically address:

• What does growth mean in the European context?
• Is there a future for both sustainability and growth?
• What influence do we still have for determining future patterns?

Facilitator: Peter Woodward, Director, Quest Associates, United Kingdom

What the crisis teaches us about sustainability

• Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment [speech]

Speakers:

• Alexander Likhotal, President Green Cross International

• Brice Lalonde, UN Executive Coordinator of Rio+20 Summit

• Ronan Dantec, Municipal Councillor, City of Nantes, European Green Capital 2013, and Senator of Loire Atlantique, Pays-de-la-Loire, France

• Evelyne Huytebroeck, Minister for the Environment, Energy, Urban Regeneration, Brussels Capital Region, Belgium, Chair of the ICLEI European Regional Executive Committee

• Charles Beer, President of the Republic and State of Geneva, Switzerland

• Mercedes Bresso, First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union

AUDIO RECORDING – ORIGINAL VERSION

14:30 – 16:00 BREAK-OUT SESSIONS A

Participants will have the opportunity to choose one Break-out Session from a broad selection of topics, such as sustainable procurement, responsible consumption, sustainable urban mobility, climate change adaptation, Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities, Social and Solidarity Economy, and many more.

This high-level political session will be the highlight of the conference for Mayors and other elected officials. It will take place in the United Nations European Headquarters at the Palais des Nations. Mayors will find out how other local governments are tackling the issue of public service financing in times of crisis. More generally, it will be an ideal networking setting among leaders involved in sustainable development initiatives.

Green Economy, including social inclusiveness, will be addressed as economic prosperity should not be achieved at the expense of the environment and society. Apart from environmental elements, societal challenges will be addressed, from both the international perspective, e.g. fair trade, as well as from within city’s own geographical boundaries. Perspectives from various actors will be analysed to gain a better understanding of how gaps between environmental, economic and societal goals can be bridged. Specific questions will be:

• What does the economic crisis mean for the environment and society on the local level?
• What strategy should be implemented to overcome economic, environmental and societal challenges at the local level?
• What does the Green Economy mean at the local level?

Facilitator: Florian Lennert, Director, Intelligent City Forum; Associate Director, LSE Enterprise, United Kingdom

A green growth path for Europe

• Roland Kupers, Research Director THNK, The Netherlands and Associate Fellow University of Oxford, UK [presentation] [summary report]

Global Europe 2050 – an EU Renaissance?

• Domenico Rossetti, Directorate-General Research and Innovation, Supervisor of the Global Europe 2050 Report [presentation]

Panellists:

• Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki, Finland

• Mercè Rius, Deputy President for Environment, Province of Barcelona, Spain

• Michel Destot, Mayor of Grenoble and President of the AMGVF, France

• Matthew Lynch, Programme Director of the Urban Infrastructure Initiative, WBCSD

AUDIO RECORDING – ORIGINAL VERSION

Geneva 2013 participants will have the opportunity to meet and share a fondue on the evening of Wednesday 17^th April at the Mieux! sustainable living fair. This event will allow them to mingle in an informal setting to discuss the issues of the day while enjoying a traditional Swiss dish.

19:00 GALA DINNER (UPON INVITATION)

A gala dinner will take place in a luxury hotel in the international district. Local governments’ representatives, influential representatives in the field of economy and decision makers of the Geneva area will be present at this event.