Partners : Intercultural Cities - COVID-19 Local and regional responses

In two steps, share the responses developed by your city; region or national association to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

FOCUS

Congress adopts report on ensuring compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government in major crisis situations

Covid-19: local and regional authorities at the frontline

Congress calls for ensuring respect for electoral standards in major crisis situations

Covid-19 crisis at the centre of the debates of the three Congress committees

TOOLKIT

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pej?inovi? Buri?, has issued a toolkit for governments across Europe on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 Toolkit (available in several languages)

CONGRESS AND ITS SECRETARIAT

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress has taken several steps to pursue its activities.

Functioning of the Congress and its Secretariat

Intercultural Cities

COVID-19 : COVID-19 Special Page Website : https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/home

The Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities programme, which brings together over 130 cities across Europe and beyond (Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Morocco and the United States) as well as eight national networks, has created a COVID-19 Special Page showcasing good and promising practices in community engagement, housing and health care as well as public services and the quality of life in general, with a special focus on human rights, the situation of migrants, non-discrimination, the fight against racism and no hate speech.

Online events

Intercultural cities organised a webinar on gentrification and interaction in the public space, with a special focus on the exceptional circumstances Covid-19 has created in the public space and on how to increase interaction in the time of social and physical distancing.

Online resources

Intercultural Cities published an article on the "connectivity" of cities during the COVID crisis and the challenges and opportunities for the Intercultural Cities network. The programme published a report entitled “COVID-19 : challenges and opportunities for intercultural local authorities” which provides several examples of good practices implemented by local authorities to promote the fundamental principles of Intercultural Cities and to prepare the post-COVID-19 recovery.

Intercultural Cities have shared initiatives from the city of Kirklees (UK) which found the way to continue with their “Diversity = Innovation” Network meetings despite the lockdown.