7/23/2019 Forum of the Cities 2011 Diptico 040311

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Manuel RoblesMayor of Fuenlabrada

Centro Cultural

Tomás y Valientec/ Leganés, 51Fuenlabrada

www.ayto-fuenlabrada.es[+34] 91 649 7000 ext. 3217

The Forum of Cities in an initiative of the Municipality ofFuenlabrada. Its main objective is to create a meeting place toexchange experiences and innovative projects aimed at defininga model city more and more in line with the changing needs andinterests of citizens.

In this sixth edition, we propose a debate on social and economictransformations that are occurring and their impact on relationsbetween Europe and emerging countries.

Globalization and economic crises have profoundly changedinternational relations. Countries like China, Brazil, India, Russiaand South Africa have entered a strong economic power in theinternational arena and have an ever more crucial participation inthe global production, trade and investment. So much so thattoday can be said to have become a key determinant of globalprosperity, consolidating a greater dispersion of economic power.

For its part, the European Union, through the initiative "Europe2020", also wants to build a new economic model that promotesfair social and territorial cohesion, based on knowledge andinnovation, sustainability, employment and integrated growth.

From my point of view, it is necessary that we promote a strategic,economic and political partnership which can take advantage ofthe opportunities that this new situation offers us to build a morebalanced and fairer society.

As shown the economic crisis, the global changes are reflected inever-growing in the municipalities and therefore greater impacton our daily lives. So it is so important that, from the cities, we tryto participate in the design and implementation of this new

model of international relations.

And as always happens at the local level, no progress is possible inany way without the involvement of the citizens. I wouldtherefore invite very special all the citizens of Fuenlabrada toparticipate in the discussions taking place during these days inour city.

7/23/2019 Forum of the Cities 2011 Diptico 040311

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