IX UBC General Conference in Parnu

"Global warming, upkeep and development of cultural traditions and more active involvement of the youth in social life are important topics where we have a role to play and which shape our present and future", said Mart Viisitamm, Mayor of Parnu, welcoming the guests of the IX UBC General Conference. Over 270 participants met in Parnu on 26-29 September to discuss those burning issues.

The plenary session abounded with interesting speeches and presentations. Ambassador Valdis Krastins, Chairman of the Committee of Senior Officials, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Latvia and Mr Alan Lloyd, Vice-President of the Bureau of the Congress of Local & Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, emphasised the need for close cooperation in order to succeed in making the Baltic Sea a region of sustainable communities. Mr Xose Antonio Sanchez Bugallo, President of the Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities focused on the mutual advantages of the exchange of experience between UBC and CAAC. Mr Uno Aldegren, President of RELEX Commission, presented the work of the Committee of the Regions and two opinions: "Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 degrees Celsius - The way ahead for 2020 and beyond" and the Energy Package.

Finally, Mr Michel Sudarskis, Secretary General of International Urban Development Association INTA, delivered a compelling speech on the role of the culture in society, concluding that "the debate, on the occasion of the IX UBC General Conference, takes place at a time when the public enthusiasm for the past is increasingly evident, not least in the strong media focus on heritage and history".

The following workshops were held concurrently after the plenary session: Cities' response to the climate change, introduced by prof. Bjorn G. Karlsson, University of Linkoping, Culture as driving force for municipal development, introduced by Ms Marie-Louise Ronnmark, 1st Vice-President of the UBC, Mayor of Umea and Involvement of youth in democracy and in the life of the society, introduced by Charlotte Gustafsson, Chairperson of the Commission on Youth Issues, Kalmar.

As usual, the second day of the Conference was devoted to the UBC's internal matters such as reports, elections, finances, etc.