Problems Shared by European Cities

The expansion of the European Union has been mainly a success story. However, integration has brought along side effects visible in the cityscape of European cities. Besides ordinary pedestrians, beggars, streetmusicians and peddlers are roving in the streets. The most serious side effect is the increasing criminality in its various forms. For their part, the European Union endeavour to give directions in the matter, but in practice these problems must be solved on the city level.

The City of Helsinki, in co-operation with the Helsinki Police Department, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the Ministry of Justice, is now organising the first Europe-wide Seminar on the side effects of free movement as seen from the angle of urban actors. The problems are common. How to face and solve them in the best possible way?

Addresses will be given as lecture and workshop introductions on side effects of free mobility not linked with job-hunting. These include begging, street peddling, pirate products, human trafficking, prostitution, cross-border criminality and co-operation between different authorities. The lecturers represent various European cities.

The Seminar will be held in Helsinki on March 25-27, 2009. The invitees are authorities of European cities’ central administrations, town planning and social welfare services. The Seminar would also be useful to security and police authorities, researchers and representatives of the third sector. The first Seminar day programme includes fact-finding visits and a get-together function, while the two latter days’ programme is focused on lectures. More information on websites www.congreszon.fi/sefm2009.

Hoping to meet you in March in Helsinki I wish you warmly welcome!