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Europe
Europe has long become a decisive factor for many areas of local politics and administration. The municipalities must stand by the European commitments but can also enjoy support from European programmes. In addition, local authorities and their citizens can actively shape the European Union. There is a wide range of opportunities for participation. The European work of the International Office comprises the following:
- To anchor the topic of Europe in the administration and in the citizenry
- To provide communication and information on European issues
- To give advice on incentive programmes for the city’s specialist departments, but also for independent sponsors, associations, and other institutions
- To organise seminars and trainings regarding European funding programmes
- To influence EU legislation and policies through consultations
- To participate in various European networks
EU-Mobility Week in pictures
European Mobility Week 2022
First Mayor Markus Lewe travelled to Italy for the final conference of this year's European Mobility Week in Bologna. Topics discussed to achieve climate neutrality included local public transport, space for pedestrians, cycle path networks or traffic calming. Bologna and Münster are in contact within the framework of a climate partnership. Both cities are part of the "100 Climate Neutral Cities" mission and would like to meet the challenges of climate protection together through cooperation. Through this mission, the EU is pursuing the goal of supporting and promoting 100 European cities in their systemic transformation towards climate neutrality by 2030.
Official press release
Münster ist Teil der EU-Mission!
The EU supports Münster’s goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2030
Under the motto “Our climate 2030”, the city of Münster aims for climate neutrality by the year 2030 and adaption to the consequences of climate change. As one out of 100 cities from all over Europe, Münster has received support from the European Union to reach that goal: Earlier this year, the EU launched a competition with the aim of selecting 100 cities to lead the way in implementation the green deal and achieve climate neutrality by 2030. The city of Münster participated in that competition and was selected as the winner. Now, the city has easier access to European funding and can draw on a comprehensive range of advice from European climate experts.
SimEP 2022
Understanding, experiencing, and shaping Europe
After a three-year break due to the pandemic, the simulation of the European Parliament could finally take place in the historic City Hall. A directive on the EU's climate policy was discussed and adopted with a clear majority. Every year since 2013, the SimEP of the Young European Federalists (YEF) has taken place in Münster under the patronage of First Mayor Markus Lewe. Students from Münster’s schools have the opportunity to slip into the role of a MEP for one day and to spend a day simulating the work of the European Parliament. At the end of this day, a fictitious directive on a specific topic is adopted.
Facebook page of YEF Münster
Experience Europe: Cycling from Münster to Enschede
In the context of the Europe Week NRW 2022, the international office invited people from Enschede and Münster, who are enthusiastic of cycling, to a joint cycling tour from Münster to Enschede. The 95-kilometres-long route offered sufficient time to talk to each other, form new contacts and relationships to the twin cities, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Western Münsterland and the region Overijssel. We have put together some impressions of the cycling tour for you. Be there next time!
Impressions of the cycling tour
European week 2022
Annually, the European week takes place throughout Germany in the first week of May and traditionally ends on the 9th of May, the EU’s Europe Day. The theme of this year’s European Week in North-Rhine Westphalia is “Stories of Europe – show me your Europe”. It is supported by Dr Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, who is the minister for Federal and European Affairs as well as for International Affairs of North-Rhine Westphalia. The city of Münster, in cooperation with the Young European Federalists and Pulse of Europe, is also involved in the European week with several exciting activities.
European Week NRW 2022: Actions in Münster
AGM Leipzig 2021
Annual conference 2021 of the Eurocities
Münster was represented at the annual conference of the EUROCITIES network, consisting of several large cities, from the 3rd to the 5th of November. This time, the conference did not take place in another European country, but in Leipzig with the motto “The power of cities – transforming society”. Lord Mayor Markus Lewe used the time in Leipzig to inform himself about solutions and strategies of other European cities. In the context of a panel discussion, Lewe exchanged opinions with representatives from Tampere/Finland, Brussels/Belgium, and Braga/Portugal. Regarding the question how cities can also become more resilient in terms of health care, Lewe emphasized: “The fight against the pandemic has proven that the most important thing in a city is neither ostentatious buildings nor sights. Rather, the cohesion of the population and inclusion of everyone is important.”
European active municipality in North-Rhine Westphalia
In November 2020, the City of Münster was awarded the title “European active municipality in NRW”. Once a year, the award is given to those municipalities showing exemplary commitment to Europe by the Prime Minister of the State of North-Rhine Westphalia. For the City of Münster, the European idea is a matter of conviction because the diversity of Europe and the common European successes are an inspiration for the city’s work.
Europe in Münster
The City of Münster was among the final six candidates competing for the Europe Prize 2020. The short film demonstrates the way in which the European idea is brought to life in Münster. It portrays Münster as a city characterized by a culture of diversity and openness, vibrant partnerships and curiosity for its European neighbors.
A special Europe Day
Münster in Europe
The short film demonstrates the way in which the European idea is brought to life in Münster. It portrays Münster as a city characterized by a culture of diversity and openness, vibrant partnerships and curiosity for its European neighbors
Muenster4Europe 2018
Münster4Europe
The roots of our democracy lie in the cities – including Münster. In the context of the “#Cities4Europe” campaign by the city network EUROCITIES, Münster, among others, stood up for the European community and for European values. With the “#Münster4Europe” action day, the City of Münster, together with European political actors (Visions for Europe, JEF and Pulse of Europe), helped ensuring that the future Europe will be strong, united and democratic, too. “#Münster4Europe” was also part of the European Week 2018 that took place in North-Rhine Westphalia.
Anna Lisa Boni in Münster
The Secretary General of Eurocities visits Münster
At the latest Eurocities annual meeting, First Mayor Markus Lewe invited Anna Lisa Boni to visit the Westphalian regional capital. The Eurocities networks comprises more than 190 large cities from 40 countries. It thus represents 130 million inhabitants in European municipalities. Münster has been a Eurocities member since 1999. First Mayor Lewe welcomed Secretary General Boni in the Friedenssaal and took her on a bicycle excursion to several stops in Münster.