Session 1. Tools for Local Participation Policy
Participation Policy Framework – Genk, Katrien Dreessen, Participation Expert
Participation practices Ķekava, Ligita Pudza, project manager
Session 2. Stronger Together: Youth, Networks & Digital Dialogue
Value Networks – Opportunities for Youth – Breda, Lot van Schendel, Social Policy Advisor
Dialogue with and by Youth – Genk, Mohamed El Bouazzati, Lahcen Hasdo, and Ayman Machkour from Incurrent share how they foster grassroots dialogue between youth and their city
Working with Youth on Algorithms and Information Bubbles – Iasi, Monika Manoliu, program manager
Session 3. Genk’s Lab: Building Inclusive Local Governance
The Genk Social Cohesion Model as Inspiration for Connecting Civil Servants and Citizens – Genk, Yasemin Yilmaz, Expert in Social Cohesion and Inclusion. Bringing Urban Communication Closer to Citizens – Genk, Pieter Peumans, Communication Advisor
Session 4. Democracy Is a Verb
An interactive session exploring how local governments and politicians can strengthen the democratic fabric by investing in trust, confidence, and relational capacity. We’ll work with the “muscles” of democracy. – Aarhus, Frederik Ingvardt Pedersen, Innovation & Democracy Advisor and Morten Daus-Petersen from Sager der Samler
Session 5. Local Collaborations in Tackling Polarization
Intermunicipal Collaboration on Polarization – Genk, Karien Lantmeeters, Expert in Person-Centered Phenomena & Training. Banska Bystrica X Bart Brandsma – Banska Bystrica, Michaela Hulukova
Session 6. The Elephant in the Room of Local Politics
The relationship between politics, administration, and citizens: what opportunities and challenges exist for local democracy? – Prof. Sofie Hennau, UHasselt