Mayor participates in peace conference in Paris
Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir recently participated in a discussion at a special peace festival organized by the City of Paris and the French organization Les Guerrières de la Paix, which has been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. She also participated in the Urban Days conference in the same city where 150 international leaders and experts discussed ways to shape, create and transform cities to ensure their future sustainability.
Peace conference
Peace advocates from Israel and Palestine, along with mayors from around the world, gathered to discuss the challenges facing the Middle East and how cities can participate and contribute to restoring peace in these regions. According to Heiða, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo opened the event with a powerful address that set the tone for important discussions. Heiða participated in a conference discussion about the role cities play in peace initiatives and maintaining global peace. She discussed peace education in Reykjavík schools, participatory democracy, and how Reykjavík City upholds the essential right to freedom of expression. Though Reykjavík is not a large city by global standards, it bears responsibility and takes that role seriously.
Urban Days hosted by OECD
During the same Paris trip, Heiða participated in "an engaging and important conversation" at the Urban Days conference organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The conference featured productive discussions about future urban planning and how to ensure all residents have opportunities to live healthy, fulfilling lives. At the conference, participants examined the latest OECD data, which introduced compelling new ideas in urban development, addressing housing challenges, protecting and carefully managing resources, designing for improved weather conditions, and the importance of creating a clear vision for the future. "All of this provides great motivation to continue building Reykjavík City for people, especially if we could influence the weather," says Heiða Björg.
Meeting with the Mayor of Paris
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo invited Heiða Björg to a special private meeting at Hôtel de Ville, Paris city hall, in connection with the peace conference held the same day. They had a productive conversation about urban planning and the role cities play in promoting global peace.