It is time to develop and present ideas and models of action.
Europe means citizens.

In the face of a financial crisis on a scale not yet imaginable, the overarching concern of the Berlin Conference 2012 is the necessity to strengthen the partnership participation of European civil society in European development. As also brought forth by the financial sector and various governments, Europe must build its existence upon its cultural values. This can be achieved by motivating citizens to become actively involved in a "Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe".

The aim of all efforts must be to promote the sustainability of the European unification process. The challenges that lie ahead of us – democracies at risk in parts of Europe, nationalistic tendencies, alarming consequences as a result of climate change, which are particularly seen and understood as cultural phenomena – can only be tackled with broadly defined and joint responsibility. An important step in this process is mutually achieved through developing a common language, a shared set of values and a shared agenda between politics, the economy and civil society.

We invite all citizens – and more specifically: actors from civil society, business, politics and European cities – to an attempt to produce insights, commitment and action, and to present "best-practices" of civic engagement that are already effective. This applies to the long-time "bottom-up" work of "A Soul for Europe" as well as many other examples.

A workshop with the partner cities of "A Soul for Europe" will take place on 9 November 2012 (invitations to be followed). More information on the programme of the Berlin Conference 2012 will be available soon!

---------------

The Berlin Conference 2012 is the first of a series of three events dedicated to a Europe from the bottom-up under the title of "Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe". Together they form the kick-off of the "European Year of Citizens" 2013. The next events will take place on 16-18 November in Brussels and on 29 November in Amsterdam.