The Follow-up Conference of Municipalities for Peace in the Mediterranean was held in Granollers, Spain, on October 2nd and 3rd, 2014. About 60 participants representing local authorities from countries such as Croatia, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and networks and organizations working for peace, exchanged ideas on how local authorities could promote peace culture in the Mediterranean.
The Conference was opened by Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former UNESCO Director and President of the Foundation for a Culture of Peace, who highlighted the importance of local communities as the first level of democracy.
Fruitful discussions yielded a final declaration that participants adopted, in which they renewed the commitments agreed to during the 1st Mediterranean Conference of Municipalities for Peace in 2013 in Aubagne, France. Such commitments include developing Mayors for Peace activities and membership in the Mediterranean, strengthening cooperation between municipalities and local governments in the Mediterranean and encouraging cooperation with citizens and civil society with projects aimed at mutual understanding, promotion of coexistence and peace education.
UCLG, VNG International (Network of Cities from the Netherlands), Arco Latino and the Anna Lindh Foundation were among the organizations represented at the Conference. Participants also included representatives of the Executive Cities of Biograd na Moru, Malakoff and Ypres.
>Related News: the City of Granollers website (in Catalan)
Final declaration of the Follow-up Conference of Municipalities for Peace in the Mediterranean (AFCDRP website):
>In English
>In French
>In Catalan
>In Spanish
The Follow-up Conference of Municipalities for Peace in the Mediterranean
(Photo Credit: The City of Granollers)