The 2021 edition of the Security, Democracy & Cities conference was organised by Efus and held in the City of Nice. The previous conferences were held in Barcelona-Catalonia (2017), Aubervilliers-Saint Denis (2012), Saragossa (2006), Naples (2000), Paris (1991) and Montreal (1989).
Key figures
700 participants
140 cities and regions represented
27 countries
4 continents (Europe, America, Africa, Asia)
18 thematic workshops, 12 focus sessions, 10 field visits, 3 plenary sessions
100 speakers – elected officials, academics, representatives of institutions, civil society, private sector
Eighteen workshops were held during the conference covering the main urban security topics on which Efus’ members are currently working: climate change, discrimination, drugs, crisis management, citizen participation, polarisation, the protection of public spaces, tourism and security, nightlife… In total, some 80 speakers contributed to these sessions.
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.
