During the organized debates, representatives of the largest European metropolises shared their ideas on how to fight social exclusion and increase public involvement. Representing Łodź, Vice Mayor Adam Wieczorek, in his speech presented the assumptions and current statistics on the “ Civil Budget” program, which has significantly contributing to improve the quality of the life of the inhabitants of our city since 2014. Apart from the speech of representative of Łódź, also aroused great interest in the presentation of the Vice Mayor of Porto, who talked about how reducing of public transport ticket prices has contributed to the fight against social exclusion of groups such as students and retirees.
During the European Metro polities Authorities, was also signed a joint declaration of representatives of European metropolises calling on the EU institutions to pay more attention to social problems and to give greater significance to metropolitan authorities in the European government process. The declaration was signed by the representatives of 19 large urban areas, including among others: Vice Mayor of Greater Manchester , Mayor of the Lyon Metropolis and Vice Mayor of the Porto Region.
In addition to events related to the International Festival of Social Housing and European Metro polities Authorities, the delegation from Łódź also held a series of meeting aimed at expanding the cooperation between Łódź and Lyon. During the meeting with the Vice Mayor of the Lyon Metropolis, has been raised topic of expanding cooperation in the organization of the Festival of Light, including new solutions and technologies with the participation of artists from Łódź and Lyon. Representative of the Metropolis also suggested the organization of an exchange of film school students in both cities and an exchange of exhibitions between the Łódź and Lyon textile museum. A large part of the conversation was devoted to the healthcare sector, in particular to the solution introduced in Lyon, thanks to which senior homes were divided into two categories, depending on the age of the residents. This solution helps to better adjust medical care to the needs of residents and as a result better respond to the needs of society.
The General Consul of the Republic of Poland in Lyon declared her support in organizing the Light Festival. The Consul proposed that the consulate building in Lyon was illuminated every year by the work of Łódź artists. The consulate also offered support in dealing with the Lyon fabric museum and in organizing next year’s edition of Polish Week in Toulouse, which will be entirely dedicated to Łódź.
A delegation from the City Hall also visited the Polish Section of the international school Cité Scholaire Internationale, where the students were at the same time from the 13TH High School in Łódź. Vice Mayor Adam Wieczorek told students of both schools about the Office’s activities aimed at young residents of the city and also answered their questions.
