Partnership Conference in Edinburgh: New Impulses for German-British Town Twinning
On 28 and 29 November 2024, the partnership conference of the German-British Urban Diplomacy Exchange (UDE) took place in Edinburgh under the motto “City in Your Hands: Empowering Youth and Strengthening Local Policies through Municipal Partnerships”.
With more than 60 participants from eight fully represented city partnerships, the event was a complete success. It impressively demonstrated how important city diplomacy is for cooperation between municipalities - especially in challenging times.
Here you will find the conference program.
The conference was planned as part of the project “Urban Diplomacy Exchange II” promoted by the Federal Foreign Office and organized by the Service Agency Communities in One World from Engagement Global in cooperation with the German Association of Cities.
A strong network in motion
The participants were warmly welcomed by Consul General Christiane Hullmann in Edinburgh. Many of the German-British partnerships have existed for decades, but the conference showed that personal contacts were often lacking. The conference therefore offered the opportunity to strengthen existing connections, establish new networks and develop a common focus on the 2030 Agenda.
In bilateral and multilateral working groups, the delegations worked on concrete goals, communication channels and visions for their partnerships. Insights into the different local political systems were particularly valuable: While German municipalities have largely similar structures, the complex political landscape of the United Kingdom presented an exciting challenge.
focus on social cohesion and sustainability
A central highlight of the conference was the interactive role play "SDGs in Action", moderated by Dr. Mark Charlton from De Montfort University. The participants experienced first-hand how closely the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are linked and how they can be implemented in local practice. Not only ecological sustainability was discussed - social issues such as educational equity, diversity and inclusion were particularly in the foreground this time.
"The reality is what we see at the local level, not what is shown on social media," emphasized Apostolos Tsalastras, city councilor from Oberhausen. The participants agreed that many challenges - from migration to social cohesion - must be solved locally and that international cooperation plays an important role in this.
Urban Diplomacy: A Tool for Resilience and Peace
In the panel discussion on the role of cities in urban diplomacy, representatives such as Jessica Baier (Engagement Global) and Matthew Brannen (MHCLG) that cities are increasingly assuming responsibility at the global level. City twinning is not only a bridge between nations, but also a platform for the exchange of best practices that strengthen local resilience.
Brannen emphasized that through exchange, cities can avoid mistakes and share knowledge, which directly contributes to improving the quality of life of their citizens. "The human face of relationships helps to maintain peace," said Brannen. This perspective was widely accepted and underlined the immense value of city diplomacy.
challenges and future prospects
The conference also highlighted the challenges of local government cooperation, particularly in the United Kingdom, where financial and human resources are scarce. Brexit has further exacerbated bureaucratic hurdles. Nevertheless, participants agree: especially in times of global crises, relationships between local authorities are essential to promote a peaceful and solidarity-based Europe.
The tenor of the conference gives hope: living city diplomacy connects people across borders, promotes mutual understanding and creates a basis for a sustainable future.
The partnership conference in Edinburgh was a powerful step towards closer cooperation - and proof that cities are more than administrative units. They are centres of hope, exchange and innovation.
