Mayors and senior political representatives of cities from different regions of the world, including a large delegation of Congress members, met in Istanbul on the occasion of the “Social Integration Summit” on 17 and 18 May 2016. “We, the local powers, play a significant role in guaranteeing a safe, fair, sustainable and inclusive environment for our citizens” they stated in a Declaration adopted at the closing of the Summit. “Therefore, cities should be both architects and executors of strategies that foster social inclusion […]. We commit ourselves to act in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, and with the participation of the inhabitants, by adopting a participatory approach, empowering individuals, promoting awareness on causes of inequality, developing public services and acting in a sustainable way toward removing all kinds of barriers to employment”, they added. “We commit ourselves to promoting the social development of our cities, guided by the following principles: equity, access, participation and cohesion”, the mayors and political representatives concluded in their Declaration.       

Istanbul Declaration
Jean-Claude Frécon: “By strengthening the synergy between the various levels of governance and Europe, we will be able to build a society that offers everybody a future”
Yoomi Renström: Integration and dialogue with migrants must go hand in hand with a staunch defence of our democratic values and their transmission to all citizens''
Leen Verbeek: “There is no typical profile, no traditional route in radicalization processes. It is rather connected to some serious shortcomings of our democracies”
Dusica Davidovic presents the Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma inclusion
Gaye Doganoglu : ''Il faut se mobiliser davantage pour assurer une égalité des chances aux personnes handicapées et leur inclusion dans la vie de la société''
Jean-Philippe Bozouls: “Towns and cities are made for and by all citizens within democratic local authorities”