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Candidate Eurocities executive committee
GLASGOW
Eurocities AGM 2020 1 of 19 4e
EUROCITIESEurocities AGM 2020 2 of 19 Glasgow’s candidacy for the Executive Committee Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e
Eurocities AGM 2020 3 of 19 2 People Make4 Glasgowe
Dear colleagues,
Glasgow, in our native Gaelic language means “a dear, green place”. As the host city for the UN Climate Conference COP26 next year we fully intend on living up to that description.
We want to ensure that the voices of cities and citizens shape our collective green future, a future of environmental and social justice, a future where less carbon and more fairness are delivered together.
Through our EUROCITIES activity and bilateral dialogue with peers, we have been able to contribute to a pan- European and global call for urgent change. And we will continue to do so, working with EUROCITIES to ensure that Glasgow and our peers are frontrunner cities in the race to carbon zero.
We proudly joined peer cities in giving evidence to the European Parliament Environment Committee chair Pascal Canfin MEP at the EUROCITIES ‘City leadership for climate’ event prior to the launch of the European Green Deal. This was a bittersweet event for us, taking place just as the UK confirmed its damaging Brexit intentions, that will strip away the rights of our majority remain-voting citizens.
Collaboration between cities is more important now than ever. EUROCITIES has led by example, moving city dialogues online, fertilising the appetite for partnership and knowledge exchange – a sisterhood of solidarity cities.
Since our election in 2017, Glasgow’s City Government has made engagement within the EUROCITIES Network a key priority. We have regularly contributed off and online and ensured good practice was shared across our services, informing our immediate response and frontline practice.
Our learning from EUROCITIES has also helped inform our longer-term planning, reprioritising commitments to ensure the delivery of a just urban future with the common good at its heart.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home to us all just how inextricably linked humanity’s impact on our planet is and how acute is the need to act on the climate and ecological emergencies. As President von der Leyen stated in the 2020 State of the Union address on 16 September, the fragility of our planet and values has been exposed, but Europe has shown vitality in response. Strong collaboration between all levels of government has been key and will continue to be to ensure a greener, sustainable economic recovery.
Glasgow faces the double disasters of Brexit and COVID-19. But we are committed to being an exemplar European city, enshrining and upholding values and working actively and collaboratively in EUROCITIES to future- proof cities, from local neighbourhoods to metropolitan regions. As the host city for COP26, it is even more incumbent on us to be a beacon, shaping national and supranational policies. We commit to keeping the light on for Europe and our shared planet.
Our city’s unofficial anthem is about belonging – it ends with the words “Glasgow belongs to me”. That phrase sums up the spirit of Glasgow –everyone is welcome to belong and has a stake in Glasgow’s future. We hope that our friends and neighbours welcome the contribution we would to make to EUROCITIES via ExCom, as outlined in our Ten Point Pledges.
Eurocities AGM 2020 4 of 19 3 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e
Priorities Planet To promote nature-based solutions and protect biodiversity; safeguard and nurture our cities As a Fair Work City, Glasgow is committed to agile, ecosystems; be frontrunner cities in the race adaptive economic development & investment focused to carbon neutrality to combat the climate and on inclusion, decarbonisation and empowerment. ecological emergencies; and advocate for a just We are committed to sharing our learning from transition and improvement in the environment, Universal Basic Income pilots with European and wider quality of life and wellbeing. international peers.
Building on our two Pledges to the EU Pillar of Social Rights - Principle 19: housing and assistance for the homeless, and, Principle 14: minimum income - Glasgow promises to work together positively and collaboratively with the EUROCITIES network team 03 and members to embody and progress the following policy pledges:
Progressive To be an exemplar European city and good global citizen. Glasgow is a welcoming city, our slogan being ‘People Make Glasgow’.
We commit to continuing to be a progressive beacon and Europe’s no 1 city for trust, Proactive openness and tolerance; to treasuring our To take a prevention and early intervention ‘special relationship’ with the EU, to challenging approach, protecting the public against potential Euroscepticism, isolationism, racism; and future pandemics; invest in health promotion both promoting inclusion, integration and the values that physical and mental; integrate health and social have brought peace to Europe. care and aim for equal access and equitable outcomes in policy, planning and provision of health 01 services and healthy food, air, and water. 04
People Participate To strengthen municipal democracy, open To leave no one behind by power-sharing and government, transparent processes, participative the codesign and creation of policy to encourage decision-making, to ensure that cities respond solidarity; promote diversity and foster community to citizens’ voices regarding quality of life in all connections, coexistence, resilience; actively its dimensions, such as access to public space, include easy to ignore communities, ensuring that mobility, housing, education and lifelong learning each individual has the opportunity to flourish. and the workplace. 02 05
Eurocities AGM 2020 5 of 19 4 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA People Make4 Glasgowe
Prioritise Partnership Through policies, planning, procurement, public To engage in ongoing global dialogue; listen to services, and our practice, to promote place-based each other and our citizens; share best practices; approaches and quality of life; our citizens’ health promote active collaboration between cities, and wellbeing at the heart of what we do. local and national governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions and business organisations, amplifying the urban voice around the world and the need for a just, sustainable, wellbeing ecosystem. 06 09
Pioneer Party To develop inspiring, inclusive, and innovative Glasgow puts the ‘art’ in Party! Let’s celebrate initiatives centred around wellbeing and Europe, its cultures and urban living and enjoy its community wealth-building; ensure that our cities diversity and vibrancy; harness our citizens’ energy and citizens are empowered; and set expectations and creativity whether they are daydreamers or for industry, business and the private sector to drive the night-time economy; building 15 Minute actively contribute to – rather than detract from – Cities, making places and spaces for reflection as the wellbeing and prosperity of communities. well as fun. 07 10
Prosperity To seek to understand and influence the future of work - robotics, automation and digitalisation - to ensure the 4th Industrial Revolution benefits citizens and communities; collaborate with employers and workers to improve the quality of employment, encourage enterprise and innovation; and collaborate with businesses so that they thrive as we move to more sustainable and circular economies. 08
Eurocities AGM 2020 6 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 5 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council
Susan Aitken became Leader of Glasgow City Council in May 2017 when the SNP became the largest party on the Council, forming the City Government. She was elected as a councillor for the historic Langside ward, where she lives, in 2012 and has been leader of the SNP group since 2014, having previously served as the Group Spokesperson on Health and Social Care.
Before being elected, Susan worked in a variety of policy and research roles in the Scottish Parliament and the third sector. A member of the National Union of Journalists, she also worked as a freelance writer and editor specialising in health and social care policy. She is a graduate of both Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities.
Susan was awarded 2019 Local Politician of the Year. Judges cited as the reason for her win her successful battle to ensure female council workers -who were paid up to £3 less per hour than their male counterparts for doing the same work - received an equal wage and compensation for past discrimination.
+44 141 287 3751
@SusaninLangside
Eurocities AGM 2020 7 of 19 6 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA People Make4 Glasgowe
Current positions – assignments and engagement
+ Leader of Glasgow City Council + Citizens Theatre – Member (Board) + Convener of the City Administration Committee + University of Glasgow Court – Member + Convener of the Emergency Committee + Scottish Cities Alliance – Member + Chair of the Glasgow Economic Recovery Group and + Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Glasgow Economic Partnership and co-chair of the Convention Leaders – Member Glasgow Economic Leadership Board + Core Cities UK Cabinet – Member + Chair of the Sustainable Glasgow Partnership + OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth (& 7th OECD + Chair of the Global Glasgow Group Roundtable of Mayors and Ministers) - Representative + Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet + EUROCITIES 2nd Mayors Summit on the Future of Europe + Member of Glasgow City Council – Panellist + Member of the Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm + Global Parliament of Mayors – Member City Policy Committee + C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group – Member + Group Leader of the Scottish National Party in Glasgow City + Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance – Member Council + UNECE 2020 Forum of Mayors on City Action for a + Scottish Event Campus (SEC) Ltd – Member Resilient Future – Speaker.
Eurocities AGM 2020 8 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 7 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e
Making an impact – local and global
+ Declared itself a City Government not just Council, ensuring + Introduced the first Low Emission Zone in Scotland respect and equitable treatment from other democratic bodies and institutions + In partnership with Iberdrola, through Scottish Power, developing plans for mass electric vehicle charging, + Ensured collaboration and a united voice with other Scottish becoming a template for other cities across the UK and local authorities by re-joining the Convention of Scottish wider Local Authorities after years of isolation
+ Held a series of power sharing Summits (Public Health, + Created independent Connectivity and Place Commissions Homelessness, Drug Use, Culture, etc.) that involved our to ensure dynamic, citizen empowered mobility and urban citizens in solution thinking and decision making planning
+ Repeatedly prioritised and protected the rights of European + Glasgow is the European Capital of Sport in 2023. The citizens in city policy and practice award, made by ACES Europe, marks the first time any city has won the coveted title twice – 2023 will mark 20 years + Defended the rights of refugees and migrants against since Glasgow first gained the accolade in 2003 hostile UK Home Office policy + Pioneered inclusive social and economic growth with the + Global leader of recognition of the legacy of slavery and aim to creating a sustainable well-being economy racism and engaging academia, and civic society in this dialogue + Prioritised community wealth building and social enterprise + Redefined relationships with the Third Sector and and innovation districts to complement - and compete - with Communities by the signing of a Concordat, and, the co- city centre initiatives design of a new accessible communities grant fund + Built Smart City infrastructure and data driven policy making + Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Glasgow’s academic institutions to underpin a Knowledge Society + Developed a digital strategy that prioritises health and social + Secured Glasgow as the home of Channel 4 TVs innovation and delivered on online education during the Creative Hub building on our evaluation by the European pandemic Commission as the UK’s leading cultural city + Delivered budgets and funding that have sustainable + Resolved a decade long Equal Pay dispute by female outcomes and justice at their core workers in their favour + Piloted new urban diplomacy by agreeing a partnership + 1st Scottish city to declare a Climate Emergency and set a agreement and Cooperation Framework with COP25 target of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030 host, Santiago (Chile), and opening dialogue with the urban Global South regarding ‘passing the torch’ to the COP27 host.
Eurocities AGM 2020 9 of 19 8 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA People Make4 Glasgowe
Eurocities AGM 2020 10 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 9 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e
Description of activities of Glasgow within EUROCITIES
The City of Glasgow has been a full member of the have participated at many EUROCITIES fora e.g. Culture EUROCITIES since 1990. The current City Government and Environment, and, participated in other meetings and has made participation in EUROCITIES a strategic priority conferences indicating the overall commitment of the city to since being elected three years ago (May 2017), as part of its the network. Our workshop contributions to recent AGMs and strategic review of its international engagement and, ‘Global Fora are further evidence of our commitment. Glasgow’ strategy. Furthermore, in March 2019, Glasgow successfully organised An early priority was opening dialogue with the EUROCITIES the first ever Social Affairs Forum Innovation Lab, which Secretary General, key staff, and other Cities elected gathered a high number of city representatives from across members, as to how Glasgow could better demonstrate itself Europe as well as elected officials. Hosting this achieved a as an exemplar European city. key goal of senior executives as well as to other members of our staff becoming familiar with EUROCITIES and, thus, more We have evidenced this not only by political statements and actively involved in the network. engagement in fora, but by mobilising citizens participation in the Cities4Europe campaign and being the only UK city to As demonstrated by the organisation of the Innovation Lab, participate in the EUROCITIES Citizens Panel project which Glasgow is an organised, professional and creative city with discussed the Future of Europe. the ability to work collaboratively with the EUROCITIES network, its staff team and Forum Chairs, Vice Chairs and The city holds the chair of the Roma and Homelessness Working Groups. Working Groups. In the course of the last years, Glasgow has been particularly active in the Social Affairs Forum while the Depute Leader and other high-level city representatives
Eurocities AGM 2020 11 of 19 10 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA People Make4 Glasgowe
Since then we have consistently offered the hospitality and resources of our city for a range of EUROCITIES events and conferences, fielding speakers and panellists, and engaged in a range of Taskforces and initiatives e.g. Sustainable Development Goals.
We fully support the strategic review of the EUROCITIES structure, workplan and priorities. We welcome the opportunity to work within and across Fora to achieve the strategic goals as illustrated on the revamped website.
Over the past 6 months there has been an impressive and agile move by EUROCITIES to online city dialogues and information sharing. We see this as a welcome move exampling the digitalisation that Europe knows is key for our cities. We have seized this opportunity. However, we will continue to invest in our people participating in person too.
People Make Glasgow. People Make EUROCITIES. People Make Europe.
Eurocities AGM 2020 12 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 11 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e Team Glasgow To support Glasgow’s contribution to the Executive Committee, we will invest further in EUROCITIES the revitalised energy we have brought together under our Global Glasgow approach.
External stakeholders meet with the City Government in dialogue regarding Glasgow’s strategic global goals and responsibilities. A cross party International Board informs 01 the strategic direction. Work is taken forward by a cross departmental team of experts in inclusive economic development, health and well-being, environment and resilience, culture, and sport, events and tourism, urban innovation and governance, migration and human rights - reflecting thematic city departments and city-owned companies.
Our work and activities with the executive committee and cooperation pillar will be coordinated by the City Government policy team ensuring political engagement at the highest level.
Our City Government Leadership team, Susan Aitken & David McDonald (Depute Leader) will continue to contribute as we have over the past three years with our City Conveners.
To learn more about our engagement with EUROCITIES or to get in touch with relevant city officers, please do not hesitate to contact our international policy portfolio advisor Joe Brady.
[email protected] +44 141 287 3803
01 – Councillor Mhairi Hunter – City Convener for Health and Social Care Integration 02 02 – Councillor David McDonald – Depute Leader, Glasgow, – City Convener for Culture, Vibrancy & International Co-operation
03 – Councillor Ruari Kelly – Convener for Contracts and Property Councillor
04 – Councillor Graham Campbell – Chair of Working Group on Racism, Slavery & Culture & Vice Chair Black Minority Ethnic Taskforce
05 – Councillor Anna Richardson – City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction
06 – Bailie Annette Christie – Convener for Wellbeing, Empowerment, Community & Citizen Engagement
07 – Councillor Ricky Bell – City Treasurer 08 – Councillor Allan Casey – Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing 03 04 and Public Realm.
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Eurocities AGM 2020 14 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 13 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e
Glasgow’s 127
There are 127 main home languages spoken facts and by children attending Glasgow schools. figures…
2020 175,000 2035 The city of Glasgow is home to 630,000 people and is predicted to grow by 175,000 residents by 2035. Over the next 15 years, Glasgow’s metropolitan population will grow at a faster rate than in Lisbon, Helsinki and Amsterdam, and as fast as New York, Los Angeles and Paris. Glasgow is home to the world’s largest community of Gaelic speakers – interest is growing so much in one of our main indigenous languages. We are opening three new primary schools and a secondary school to support this bilingualism.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and is also northern Europe’s second largest metropolitan region.
12% Glasgow is Scotland’s most diverse city: 12% minority ethnic population - a four-fold 66.6% increase between 1991 and 2011. Glasgow voted 66.6% Remain in the Brexit Referendum.
40.1% Glasgow met its 2020 carbon emissions reduction target (30%) two years early and The European Commission’s Cultural by February this year had exceeded by an and Creative Cities Monitor 2019 ranked absolute proportion of 40.1%. Glasgow aims Glasgow as being the UK’s number 1 city for to reduce GHG emissions by 75% by the culture ahead of London, Bristol, Brighton year 2030, reaching net zero emissions by and Manchester which make up the rest of 2045. the top five in the UK.
Eurocities AGM 2020 15 of 19 14 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA People Make4 Glasgowe
35.7%
As befits our People Make Glasgow slogan 35.7% of the urban area is protected open the European Commission ranked Glasgow space (excluding private gardens). as Europe’s top city for openness, trust and tolerance.
Glasgow has the lowest average number of cars or vans per household compared to comparable UK cities. Glasgow is a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
111% Since 2009 there has been 111% increase in city centre cycling. Recognising the city’s cycling achievements, Glasgow was awarded the UCI Bike City Label during 2019 by Union Cycliste Internationale
Glasgow was announced as the world’s leading Festival and Events destination at the World Travel Awards 2019. 6000 Over 6,000 species are recorded in Glasgow including a unique protected water vole.
Glasgow is ranked 4th as a business destination by Global Sustainable Destination Index after Gothenburg, Copenhagen and Zurich.
28.9% Glasgow is home to 28.9% of all children in Scotland from a minority ethnic group.
Eurocities AGM 2020 16 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 15 Glasgow Manifesto – Eurocities ExCom 2020 4e We welcomed you...
The first-ever Social Innovation Lab of EUROCITIES took place on 25-27 March 2019 in Glasgow. Over 120 city politicians, officers and change makers (social enterprises and foundations) from over 50 cities in Europe joined forces to pilot a new way of working for ‘Making Inclusive Cities through Social Innovation’.
“Friendly. People are committed. A city to come back to. Change and Innovating into Europe!”
“A vibrant city, economically very active but with a very strong target for an inclusive society.”
“Glasgow’s progressive internationalism and dynamism.”
“Dynamic. Diverse and full of beautiful buildings. Modern & diverse. Creative & caring people.”
“Strong political leadership and vibrant.” “A bottom up city. A vibrant city. A city successfully managing its transition.”
“Such a diverse and warm people/place/city!”
“A vibrant mix of commerce, arts and music, history and public spirit and warm, welcoming people dedicated to their city and its place in the world.”
“Glasgow is very vibrant city with really nice people. They really invest in social challenges.”
“Still a city with challenges but knowing the city better, a city with a wonderful future!”
“Strong identity. Proud and friendly people. Society with a common good.”
“A city which is really citizen-centred.”
“Tradition, openness, lovely people, willingness to improve socially.”
“Very modern city. Perhaps the most “European”/global city of the UK.”
“Really open and projective city.” “Friendly, strong and positive with migrants. Lovely with running tracks and green park. Beautiful, vibrant, friendly, fun and devoted. Foremost: Proud City! Alive, electric, powered by fabulous people. Tradition, openness, lovely people, willingness to improve socially.” ... you told us! Eurocities AGM 2020 17 of 19 16 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA People Make4 Glasgowe
Eurocities AGM 2020 18 of 19 @GlasgowCC @glasgowlife @peoplemakeGLA 17 4e
the long bench For the times ahead when we will be
as if at either end of the long bench
where distance kept is love’s measure Jim Carruth and death dances Glasgow’s Poet Laureate the space between
when words alone are not enough
and queued memories Jim Carruth is one of the reach out to touch founders and current chair of St Mungo’s Mirrorball, let longing be a store a network of Glasgow- of nut and seed based poets, and is the artistic adviser for StAnza: that grows each day Scotland’s International in strange hibernation Poetry Festival. readying for its end – the sharing of the feast.
The Long Bench by Jim Carruth, Glasgow’s Poet Laureate, is a poem for reflecting the coronavirus and it’s impact on the city.
Partly inspired by Glasgow’s famous parks, the poem explores the emotions being felt across the community during lockdown.
It touches on the poet’s own feelings of temporary exile from the city and universal urge to connect with friends, family and neighbours.
Eurocities AGM 2020 19 of 19
Images © Glasgow City Council & Glasgow Life. All rights reserved.