YTN Event: Cities Stepping Up: Urban Diplomacy as a New Tool of Foreign Policy

Speakers 

• Martin van der Pütten, Head of International Relations, City of Dortmund
• Grant Ervin, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Pittsburgh
• Kathy Risko, Executive Director, Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh

Resetting transatlantic relations will only work if cities are involved in the process, argue the mayors of Dortmund and Pittsburgh. As cities on both sides of the Atlantic are faced with similar challenges—from the pandemic and structural change to digitization and climate protection—local governments are working to take on these issues at the grassroots level. To facilitate cooperation, cities like Pittsburgh and Dortmund are promoting urban diplomacy (Städte-Diplomatie) as a way to permanently integrate city leaders into the political process alongside national governments. At this YTN event hosted in collaboration with the Atlantic Community, we seek to delve deeper into the topic of urban diplomacy: What is it, and why is it important? And what opportunities, but also challenges, does it present? 

Join us for a lively exchange, fresh ideas, and new contacts! #GMFYTN

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