17/06/2025
🌟 It’s been almost two weeks since the in Braga, and we’re still buzzing from the insightful discussions! Let’s take a moment to recap some of the powerful plenary sessions:
Session 1: Delivering Democracy - We kicked off by diving into how cities are strengthening democratic participation, featuring a deep dive into the DeCiDE Project, spearheaded by GPM and Human Rights Cities Network , which highlights citizen engagement in human rights monitoring.
Session 2: Caring Cities to Repair Welfare States - This session explored how cities can become true engines of social care, prioritising the well-being of residents and discussing how local policies can support democratic resilience and socio-economic sustainability.
Session 3: Culture at the Center of the Urban Project - Mayors and cultural leaders shared how placing creativity at the heart of city through cultural literacy, artistic engagement, and shared narratives can drive innovation, social cohesion, and democratic transformation.
We also had a dedicated session on Global Parliament of Mayors Smart Talent Cities™, moderated by Ms. Gerri Burton. This session emphasized how Smart Talent Cities put people first, designing urban ecosystems that unlock potential and turn human experience into global impact.
Finally, Session 4: Next Steps in Empowering Cities & Building the GPM - The summit concluded with mayors discussing how expanding municipal authority, enabling multilevel governance, and fostering urban diversity can unlock the full transformative potential of cities for a sustainable, democratic future.
A huge thank you to all our incredible panelists for their wonderful insights and to all participants for their active engagement during the Q&A sessions. Your contributions made this summit a resounding success! We look forward to building on these discussions and collaborations.
