REPORT Škofja Loka, 26th – 28th September 2019

Report

Event No. 1

Škofja Loka, September 26th – 28th 2019

The introductory event of the project "Juniors for seniors – Active Aging", entitled ''An International Meeting of Mayors on the topic of Development and Exchange of Participatory Practices''.

Location / Dates: The event took place in Škofja Loka (Slovenia), from 26th to 28th September 2019.

Participation:

The meeting was attended by delegations from Bad Kötzting  (Germany), Judenburg  (Austria), Kőszeg (Hungary), Rovinj (Croatia), Chojna (Poland), Rokiškis (Lithuania), Sušice (Czech Republic), Siret (Romania), Meerssen (the Netherlands) and Maasmechelen (Belgium). Representatives from Sherborn in the UK and Sesimbra from Portugal also took part in the meeting.

Due to problems with Adria Airways airline, participation was truncated as delegations from Denmark, Sweden and Albania had to cancel their trips. Albania was thus represented by an ambassador accredited to the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Pëllumb Qazimi.

The international meeting was also attended by some mayors and representatives from partner Slovenian municipalities: Gašper Uršič (Mayor of Cerkno) Rok Roblek (Mayor of Preddvor), Janez Černe (Deputy Mayor of MO Kranj) and Silvana Markič (Director of the Municipal Administration in the Municipality of Medvode).

The introductory event finally involved 50 citizens, including 24 participants from the city of Škofja Loka, Slovenia; 2 participants from the city of Judenburg, Austria; 2 participants from the city of Kőszeg, Hungary; 2 participants from the city of Bad Kötzting, Germany; 2 participants from the city of Chojna, Poland; 4 participants from the city of Sušice, Czech Republic; 2 participants from the city of Siret, Romania; 2 participants from the city of Rokiškis, Lithuania; 2 participants from the city of Rovinj, Croatia; 2 participants from the city of Meerssen, Netherland; 2 participants from the city of Maasmechelen, Belgium. 2 representatives from Sherborne, UK and 3 representatives from Sesimbra, Portugal also took part in the meeting. Albania was represented by their ambassador, Mr. Pëllumb Qazimi.

Short description:
Mayors, deputy mayors and directors of municipal administrations from twinned and partner towns actively participated in the international meeting on the current topic of participation, which took place on Friday, September 27th , 2019 at Sokolski dom in Škofja Loka.

After the introductory greeting by Tine Radinja, the Mayor of Škofja Loka, Miha Ješe, who is in charge of international cooperation and Annigje Kruytbosch, the president of the Douzelage Association, the official program of the international meeting began.

The programme of the conference, which focused on various forms of public participation, was carried out in English by hosts Alenka Blazinšek Domenis and Matej Cepin.

Following the introductory presentation of the central topic, methods and goals of the meeting, Raf Terwingen, the Mayor of the twinned town Maasmechelen, Elke Florian, Deputy Mayor of Judenburg in Styria (Austria), and Janez Černe from the neighbouring Municipality of Kranj, presented selected examples of good participatory practices. A common thread of various successful practices is in creating and building trust that strengthens the community and cooperation, in introducing practices that are very inclusive, can be used by all citizens, are sustainable and encourage (intergenerational) cooperation.

In the second part, the two hosts introduced the step-by-step process and procedures that led to the introduction, implementation and functioning/operating of the participatory budget in the municipality of Ajdovščina, where the employees have done pioneering work in this field in Slovenia.

In the final part of the international meeting, participants took part in the workshop, presented ideas and made concrete suggestions on how participation could be implemented and how it could be successful for the elderly and the young in their local communities.

Upon completion of the workshops, the participants were informed about the future course of events and about the programme of the international project Europe for Citizens, which will culminate with the organization of an international conference in Škofja Loka, in May 2020.

In the evening part of the meeting, the participants discussed the topic addressed and made plans about the organisation and contents of the next five meetings, which will be held in Judenburg, Škofja Loka, Kőszeg, Kruja and Bad Kötzting.