Report from the Integrating Cities Conference, 20-21 November, Bologna

The 11th Integrating Cities Conference “Shaping our cities with migrant and local communities” held in Bologna on 20-21 November, brought together policymakers, city officials, NGOs and migrant and refugee communities to explore how cities can lead the way in fostering inclusion and building more participatory democracies.

We had the opportunity to hear from city representatives, experts and practitioners across Europe, who shared valuable insights and examples on topics like co-design in emergencies, fostering safer spaces for migrants with special needs and shifting migration discourses.

One of the most exciting outcomes was the launch of an Online Course on Co-Designing Migrant Integration, aimed at empowering local leaders to implement practical and participatory approaches to create inclusive environments. Another significant milestone was the signing of the Eurocities Charter by five new cities: Bologna, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Grenoble-Alpes Métropole and Vilnius.

Plus, we got to visit in person the Intercultural Centre Massimo Zonarelli in Bologna, where we learned about the city’s work in promoting the participation of new citizens.

In increasingly difficult political times, it’s exciting to see new cities openly and proudly show their commitment to building urban spaces that are welcoming, diverse and ready to change the narratives of migration.