Cities for Change

Across the world social movements and communities are reimagining and reclaiming their cities, towns and villages through different ways of doing politics from the ground up. In Amsterdam a red-green city council has rejected the aim of infinite growth in favour of an economy based on living within the planet's means. Barcelona is moving towards a feminised politics based on consensus, public assemblies and participation. Jackson, US is challenging structural racism by moving towards a solidarity economy. Naples has created urban commons, spaces managed collectively by the people.

This movement to reinvent the politics of cities, towns and villages is often called municipalism. The movement emphasizes ecological and social policies as well as direct and participatory democracy. What about Finland? Urbanization is permeating Finland, emphasizing the importance of cities as places of politics. Municipal self-governance and local economies have traditionally had a strong position. Recently, new urban movements and interest in a more communal urban culture have also been seen across the country. The Doughnut economics approach, which is becoming increasingly popular in Finland, emphasizes local economies and the strengthening of local democracy.

Join us for a discussion about the municipalist movement, what can be learned about it in Finland and what are its connections to Doughnut economics! Discussing with us is activist Ana Mendez, who was an adviser on the Ahora Madrid government in the City Council. and is now mapping and bringing together the flourishing bloom of municipalist projects across Europe. We will also hear from a participant involved in Amsterdam, where a red-green coalition is realising municipalist practices, including Doughnut economics, and the European Network for Cities for Change.

From the working group of the Finnish Doughnut economics involved in the discussion are Susanna Lundström, Jukka Peltokoski and Juho Karvinen, discussing the perspective on local democracy in Tampere, and the possibilities and possible blind spots of information technology in promoting local democracy. Above all, this is an invitation to a joint debate. In addition to the presentations, there will be plenty of time to discuss issues related to municipalism and doughnut economics, as well as politics based on these in Finland and Tampere.

Speakers:

Ana Mendez de Andes

Susanna Lundström

Jukka Peltokoski

Juho Karvinen

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