The European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in Cities is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Following the first meeting in Barcelona, in 1998, The Charter was adopted in Saint Denis in 2000. After Barcelona and Saint Denis, the conferences on the European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in Cities were held in Venice (2002), Nuremberg (2004), Lyon (2006) and Geneva (2008), as the number of signatory cities grew to more than 400 local communities from all parts of Europe. This year, on October 7-9, the signatory cities are going to meet again, in order to re-affirm their involvement in the safeguarding of and the respect for human rights. This meeting will be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Tuzla, the city whose experience calls for the necessity of promoting social cohesion, peace and tolerance.

With respect to this, in times of global crisis, the signatory cities of the European Charter will discuss today's fundamental issues, such as climate change and the necessity to promote coexistence, peace and tolerance, as a condition for overcoming any crisis or possible conflict.

After ten years of work, the signatory cities of the Charter strongly believe that the protection of human rights in a connected and interdependent world must be able to rely on strong cooperation and leadership of cities. Cities, certainly, are the future of Europe. Since the end of the nineties, the «Europe of cities» has been constantly growing, conscious of the responsibilities and the value of proximity and efficiency of local authorities. Today, the current context of the crisis – which is not only financial, but involves food and environment as well, requires clear and strong positioning in respect to many challenges that affect the citizens of the world. All of the above comes from the cities, and happens in collaboration with European institutions.

Because of that, the City of Tuzla – with substantial support received from the cities of Barcelona, Bobigny, Donostia/San Sebastian, Geneva, Ljubljana, Lyon, Nantes and Saint-Denis –initiates an appeal to the European Institutions, calling them to support this process that is being developed within the Commission for Social Integration and Participative Democracy (CISPD) of the world organisation of cities, Cités et Gouvernements Locaux Unis (CGLU – Cities and United Local Communities).

    The Seventh Conference on the European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in Cities will take place in Tuzla, from October 7 – October 9, 2010. Please find Draft Agenda for the Seventh Conference and the Registration Form. www.tuzla.ba/Conference: the site also offers the possibility of online registration.

Cordially,