Europa Nostra joins the 2024 European Summit of Regions and Cities
The bi-annual European Summit of Regions and Cities was held in Mons, Belgium, from 18 to 19 March, organised by the European Committee of the Regions together with the Walloon Region and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Europa Nostra joined the panel ‘Public Service: Quality and Accessible Healthcare, Education, Housing, and Culture Across All Territories’, along with representatives of local and regional governments from across Europe.
At @EU_CoR #SommetMons24 our Head of Brussels Office, @JimmyJamar, 💬: “Citizens don’t see #heritage as something of the past but about investing in the future. We’re talking about climate change, values, #EUelections2024. Heritage is part of all this & forging our societies” 🌍 pic.twitter.com/TLR8NZ07iK
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) March 19, 2024
Jimmy Jamar, Head of the Brussels Office of Europa Nostra, emphasised the transversal role of heritage in all other policy areas, notably climate change, European values, and democracy, placing a special focus on the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
“Citizens do not see heritage as something of the past, but about investing in the future. The opportunities offered by culture and heritage concern all regions, regardless of economy, size, or location”, stated Jimmy Jamar.
The value of culture was also highlighted by Urmas Klaas, Mayor of Tartu, who drew upon the experience as European Capital of Culture 2024. He recognised the programme’s role in supporting European values, bringing people and cities together, and mainstreaming culture through daily life, underscoring the rewards and benefits it can bring to citizens.
The session of the day continued with high-level addresses from the Minister President of Wallonia, Elio Di Rupo, and Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, who recognised the diversity of culture across Europe as one of the continent’s great strengths.
#SommetMons24 – Mons Declaration calls on 🇧🇪 PM @alexanderdecroo and EU leaders to support local and regional leaders’ vision for stronger, fairer, more resilient EU @EU_CoR
Press release ⬇️ https://t.co/2moB2zoI0d
— CoR Press team (@EU_CoR_Press) March 19, 2024
