More than 50 young progressive local and regional politicians from all over Europe joined the PES Group’s activities during the 2019 European Week of Regions and Cities, a week full of workshops, political debates and exchanges.
On Monday, during the opening session of the European Week, Laura Sparavigna, local councillor from Florence, took part in the debate with, among others, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the European Committee of the Regions, and the European Parliament’s Vice-President Klára Dobrev, calling for more European solidarity to deliver a better future for all its citizens.
"We are facing huge challenges, such as the climate crisis and the digital revolution. Are we ready to stand up together to face them?
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 7, 2019
We need a European welfare system, to take care of everybody in the EU and not leave anybody behind."@LauraSparavigna #EURegionsWeek pic.twitter.com/sadxcVFhoW
“We have 1 million locally and regionally elected politicians in Europe.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 7, 2019
If we could mobilize them all, we won’t need to be afraid for the #FutureOfEurope, because they can take care of it.”@CoR_President #EURegionsWeek pic.twitter.com/o8cAIdfSxS
She was joined by PES Group member Isabelle Boudineau, Vice-President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council (France), and other Young Elected Politicians, who called for a strong future regional investments, in which no one and no region is left behind, as part of a Progressive Green New Deal.
"When I look at @vonderleyen Green Deal, I am worried.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 7, 2019
We must not forget the less developed and poorer areas in the EU. We need to make sure that cohesion policy is at the service of all citizens, it is a solidarity instrument!"@IBoudineau #EURegionsWeek #CohesionAlliance pic.twitter.com/mpgA1K7TP6
Opening session #EURegionsWeek. A Green Deal for Europe is what citizens are asking for. pic.twitter.com/kcsKDDxen9
— Javi Silva (@JaviSilvaP) October 7, 2019
On Tuesday, the Young Elected Politicians had the chance to assist to the election of the new PES Group President: Christophe Rouillon, Mayor of Coulaines (France) and its First Vice-President, Yoomi Renström, Mayor of Ovanåker (Sweden).
Congratulations to our new President @ch_rouillon and first vice-president @RenstromYoomi.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 8, 2019
Together we will fight for a more progressive and sustainable Europe that leaves no places and no people behind! pic.twitter.com/yNfMcriVu0
They also had an exchange of views about the role of young progressive politicians in making Europe more sustainable.
On Wednesday, the Young Elected Politicians took part in a visit to the S&D Group in the European Parliament, where they were welcomed by the Group President Iratxe Garcia Perez, MEPs Brando Benifei, Alicia Homs Ginel, Udo Bullmann and several national delegations.
Our progressive #YoungLocalLeaders met with @TheProgressives MEPs today
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 9, 2019
Cities and regions are at the heart of the European Union. With these great young local and regional leaders we can surely build a more sustainable and progressive Europe from the ground up pic.twitter.com/IFzQGOjPot
To conclude the rich week of events, they took a very active part in the PES Group's workshop on Local.Social.Sustainable: How can the European Union help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?, where Maria Kakali, Mayor of Agios Efstratios, Elena Piastra, Mayor of Settimo Torinese and PES Group member Basílio Horta, Mayor of Sintra, Paul Magnette, Mayor of Charleroi, presented inspiring local stories of building sustainable communities.
When we speak about #SustainableDevelopment, we need also to think about sustainability for everyone.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 9, 2019
Sustainable development must mean to have the courage at European level to transform but also to not leave anyone behind.
—@elenapiastra #ProgressiveLocalStories #EURegionsWeek pic.twitter.com/aEsruOpqAz
The ingredients of success for a Progressive Green New Deal were then debated by PES Group member Peter Kurz, Mayor of Mannheim, French MEP Pierre Larrouturou, as well as Liina Carr, Confederal Secretary of the European Treaded Unions Confederation.
"Nous voulons demander à Mme Von der Leyen si la banque pour le climat est une idée pour de rire ou pour de vrai.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 9, 2019
Est-ce que le @EU_CoR peut nous aider à insister sur le fait que l’argent doit aller au bien commun : le climat et l’emploi?"
—@larrouturou#EURegionsWeek pic.twitter.com/NQQCgO4197
"We mayors are the last politicians in Europe who are not rejected by citizens and are still considered reliable. We are fundamental for achieving the #SDGs.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 9, 2019
We as Mayors are the roots of social democracy."
—@PaulMagnette #ProgressiveLocalStories #EURegionsWeek pic.twitter.com/NCWsd8Uq46
Iratxe García Pérez, President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, and PES Group President Christophe Rouillon concluded the event by stressing the need for a closer cooperation between the two groups and by stressing that Young Elected Politicians play a vital role in making Europe more sustainable and fit for the future!
"Hardly anyone denies the need to fight the climate crisis.
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 9, 2019
But we as social democrats need to make sure that it is a just transition that leaves no one behind, taking into account who is affected the most and who needs most support."
—@IratxeGarper closing our #EURegionsWeek pic.twitter.com/fR8TyCSiaj
Thank you all! It was a #EURegionsWeek event
— PES Group Committee of the Regions (@PES_CoR) October 9, 2019
And now?
1⃣ Watch the event again https://t.co/yg507spDeQ
2⃣ If you're under 40, apply for our School https://t.co/FJODxU88x5
Today was inspiring, but the fight goes on to make Europe more sustainable from the ground up pic.twitter.com/abKOIWPC3u
It was a full week, but it was just another milestone in our fight for a more progressive and sustainable Europe, that we can build only from the ground up and only with the ideas, energy and engagement of the many young progressive local and regional leaders we met this week.
