A partner of the PACTESUR project, the European Forum for Urban Security (Efus) brings together nearly 250 local and regional authorities. United in all their diversity and beyond political affiliations, they share the belief that urban security policies must be based on a holistic approach that integrates all local actors and citizens. Efus has been contributing to the co-production of security policies for more than 30 years by promoting cooperation and exchange on the European and international levels, all the while ensuring respect for human rights and maintaining a balance between prevention, sanctions and social cohesion.
In this context, Efus organised its seventh edition of Efus’ international Security, Democracy and Cities conference. Hosted by the City of Nice from 20 to 22 October 2021, the event gathered 700 participants from 27 countries: elected officials, local and regional officers, state administration, magistrates, security forces, social workers, researchers, and private sector and civil society representatives. The conference concluded by the adoption of an eponymous Declaration in which Efus’ member local authorities call European institutions to better recognise their key role in managing urban security by strengthening exchange and funding mechanisms. The Security, Democracy and Cities Declaration was signed during the closing session by Efus President and Mayor of Liège (Belgium), Willy Demeyer, and Efus Vice-President and Mayor of the host city of Nice, Christian Estrosi. In the name of Efus members, it calls for heightened and more agile cooperation as well as adequate financial support between the local, national and European levels of governance. It also calls for the establishment of a Convention of Mayors for Security that would enable European local authorities to jointly respond to the many challenges they are facing.
Cross-cutting innovative urban security policies
During this 3-day conference, the PACTESUR project had the opportunity to present its activities to 700 delegates representing 140 cities and 27 countries. It also contributed to the thematic workshop on the protection of public spaces.
The students of the Sustainable Design School (SDS) of Nice also presented the partnership-based course between the Sustainable Design School of Nice (SDS) and the PACTESUR project. In 2019, PACTESUR commissioned the SDS to evaluate security equipment deployed in the project partner cities of Nice, Turin and Liège, as well as to create innovative security devices and strategies and to imagine ways to engage citizens in the process.
