The sense of safety is one of the most important factors affecting a city's success and attractiveness. The International Seminar on Urban Safety, to be organized on October 20-22, 2010, in Helsinki will discuss issues like how to create and maintain safety and the feeling of safety in European cities that we wish to keep open and vibrant.
Violence and criminality are factors that perhaps upset the sense of safety most. During the Seminar, we shall hear speeches on cross-border criminality and human trafficking, among others. We shall also concentrate on focal themes from the angle of everyday street safety, such as conflicts ensuing from the use of urban space as well as on decreasing violence and juvenile delinquency.
Even if safety-related problems are often faced on the local level, international co-operation is increasingly important. One of the objectives of the Seminar is to enhance the exchange of experiences between European cities.
The Seminar is tailored to representatives of cities, security and police authorities, researchers and actors of the third sector. The programme includes both illustrative fact finding visits and expert lectures and workshop introductions. More details at www.confedent.fi/urbansafety2010.
Warmly welcome to Helsinki!
Jussi Pajunen
Mayor
