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22nd Session of the Congress of Local and regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

– Sitting of the Chamber of Local Authorities

Strasbourg, 21 March 2012

Speech by Per Bodker ANDERSEN, Denmark (L, SOC)

« Making cities resilient »

Dear colleagues!

It is a pleasure for me to present this draft resolution on ”Making cities Resilient” to you today. The topic is of great importance for all of us and it may even be vital, if we fail.

Coming from the country of Hans Christian Andersen, I could start my presentation like this:

Once upon a time!

Once upon a time – not so many years ago, we had the opinion, that we could produce, consume and pollute without costs. Growth was more or less unlimited and not many seemed to care about the impact on our fragile nature – or maybe we thought that nature was robust and able to clean up what we had damaged. But we learned another lesson.

Fortunately mankind has become more aware of the impact, that our actions do have on nature – in ways of climatic change, greenhouse gas emission, destruction of forests giving way to dry and infertile deserts, overfishing the seas – and I could add more examples, I regret to say.

Today it is generally accepted, that our actions have damaged the balance on our planet. And that it is our responsibility to find measures to combat the damages, we have caused.

As local politicians we do have a big responsibility to participate. We are part of a huge necessary effort that has to be done locally, nationally and transnationally.

It is of course important, that we fix internationally common goals for this struggle.

And it is important, that every nation seriously make decisions to live up to its responsibility within an international framework.

But without the hard work and decisiveness of local and regional councils it has no chance of success.

I have been around talking about this topic for some years. In my 24 years as a Mayor of my home city I have tried to influence the will to spend money to cope with the challenge, that could and can not any longer be hidden away. We must prepare for more dramatic weather situations to avoid the worst consequences of our previous neglect. That is a “here and now” plan to put up. But we must make political decisions for restoring a balance as well. We have to decide – not that we shall se the result, because it may take 50 or 100 years to restore balance. But we have the obligation to act to the benefit and survival of our children and grandchildren.

What can be done? The ICLEI organisation – Cities for Sustainability – has made a background paper, that I am certain will be of interest of every one of us.  The ICLEI is an international network of cities – big and small – who contribute to finding solutions to vital environmental questions. The cooperation through ICLEI gives cities a lot of inspiration and sometimes solutions to implement – and for free! Of course there is not just one way of tackling the challenges. Local and regional conditions must be considered, but some suggestions may be useful – we just have to remember not just to copy but to translate.

Take a look at the draft report. Take a look at the European examples from Venice, Rotterdam and Manchester. This underlines the different backgrounds and therefore the different approaches needed. But they tell the same story: Action is needed. We must preserve the values invested in our cities – may they be infrastructure, business or culture and sports. They are the basis of a good life for the citizens and for a prosperous future for the populations.

More national and international organisations and NGO’s are contributing to this vital topic.

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), The European Commission, The Committee of the Regions not to forget the Council of Europe and our own Congress. And besides these more very serious NGO’s with a strong dedication to the problems and necessary solutions.

I should especially like to draw you attention to our agreement with the UN concerning the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. The more participants – the better results, one might say. So I also urge you to join the UNISDR Campaign as a very important tool for cities to enhance their resiliense through networking sharing experiences and best practices.

After my presentation in the Current Affairs Committee, I was asked how to secure ownership in the city councils. I have been considering – and trying to find a bright and easy answer. My conclusion is: There is no such answer. There may be a thousand or more, but we have to act according to local conditions and local political possibilities.

The easiest way of course is to conclude, that this is technical to such an extend, that politicians should not interfere.

That is also the most dangerous path in the jungle. It is a political matter – also at the local level – or maybe especially at the local level. It is for all members of the council and not only a technical committee, an executive board or any special group. We have to be aware of the obligation every one of us, so my recommendation would be: Be open, transparent about the challenges in your city, of the technical trouble it may cause and of the finances. Make it a common task for the citizens, the elected council members at all levels and of the staff needed for implementation.

The paper includes recommendations that I shall not quote here. A lot of colleagues in our European neighbourhood already have some experiences that they would like to share. You are sure to have some to be shared as well. This has to be done in common, supporting every step forward against reducing the impact on our everyday life caused by earlier negligence.

It is not a question of if, why or when. It is a question of immediate action in countries, regions and local authorities to secure values built up through generations. And to give coming generations the possibility to say: Once upon a time – they acted wisely.

Hopefully you share my concerns considerations and recommendations put down in the draft resolution and I kindly invite you to adopt this important paper.