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Mayor Dirk Hilbert invited representatives of European cities, associations and institutions to the „Internationalen Dresden Dialogue: Strengthening social cohesion and promoting democracy“ taking place on 2nd and 3rd October 2017.

• 2 to 3 October 2017
• Dresden, New City Hall, Golden Portal, Rathausplatz 1, 01067 Dresden

　

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The cities of Europe are currently confronted with developments that lead to an erosion of social bonds and that threaten the way in which communities live together. The consequences of migration, of economic and social inequality, of globalisation and digitalisation represent new challenges for social cohesion. Representative democracy is being scrutinised, European integration questioned and social tensions and polarisation in urban communities are increasing.

How do we react as local leaders to those developments and how can we contribute to social cohesion in our communities? How can we create trust into political institutions and its representatives? And how can we shape in a digital democracy discourse, exchange and dispute?

We addressed those questions during the „International Dresden Dialogue“. It was important that we as cities entered into dialogue, that we learned from each other and share our good, but also not so good experiences.

In dialogue with Mayors and community leaders from Europe we discussed our individual challenges in a European context and found new perspectives and solutions for future policy making and acting.

The „International Dresden Dialogue“ was introduced by a workshop that was focusing on urban peace culture. In addition the it is part of a series of events that are organised in the City of Dresden under the theme of „Peace I Culture I City“. We wanted to showcase our active civil society and enter into dialogue between citizens, culture and politics.

Dirk Hilbert
Mayor of the City of Dresden