Security, democracy and cities: the manifesto of Aubervilliers and Saint-Denis

This Manifesto formulates some recommendations for European local authorities regarding the future of urban risk management and prevention, and invites cities to adopt the principles of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) campaign "Making Cities Resilient - My City is Getting Ready!". It calls on local authorities to: (i) develop methods of integrated management and strategies for prevention and development of more resilient cities; (ii) regularly evaluate this integrated approach; (iii) implement a structure unique to each city; (iv) to integrate planning in this approach; (v) gather resources at the local and regional levels; and (vi) involve civil society and private partners. In the document, the European local authorities also commit to inform and train local authorities to become stakeholders in the reduction and management of risks.

The overall document is a political platform on urban security which brings together all the values and principles that form the foundations of the European Forum for Urban Security and its 250 member cities’ actions. It is designed to be a source of support and inspiration for local authorities in designing and promoting their security policies. It also aims to carry the voice of local authorities toward national, European and international institutions.

The Manifesto is a mean to promote citizen participation in matters of safety and security, encouraging debates with citizens across Europe. It was adopted during the international conference "Security, Democracy and Cities: The Future of Prevention" on 14 December 2012, in Aubervilliers and Saint-Denis, France. Local authorities from all over Europe are invited to demonstrate their engagement to safer and fairer cities by adopting the principles of the Manifesto, defending and promoting them in their local policies.