European Forum for Urban Security
Encyclopedia
The European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) is a non-governmental organization
(NGO), gathering 300 local authorities. It aims at reinforcing crime prevention policies and promoting the role of local authorities in the development of national and European policies.
The organisation was created in 1987 in Barcelona
, under the aegis of the Council of Europe
and on the impulse of Mr Gilbert Bonnemaison (former Mayor of the city of Épinay-sur-Seine and co-founder of the French prevention policy.
The Forum works with the majority of the 27 countries, members of the European Union and it has a consultative status at the European Commission
, the Council of Europe
and the United Nations
. Furthermore, it is a member of the group of experts on the theme “Human trafficking”, since 2003 and of the group “Political needs for pertinent data in criminology and criminal justice fields”.
The Efus is the co-founder and secretary of the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC), and a member of the International Scientific and Professional Advisory (ISPAC) of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme.
In 1998, the Efus was awarded an honorific prize by the United Nations Settlements Programme.
In other continents, the Forum supports the creation of national Forums especially in Africa and Southern America.
Notes and references
The Saragossa manifesto
800 representatives, from 220 European cities, met in Saragossa in November 2 to 4 of 2006 and adopted the Saragossa manifesto “Security, Democracy and Cities”, in the presence of African, northern American, Latino American and Asian cities. European cities as well as cities of other continents were invited to join them, by signing and implementing the guidelines of this document.
“Safety is an essential public asset closely linked to other public assets such as social inclusion and the right to employment, healthcare, education and culture. It is necessary to replace all fear-based strategies with others that promote an active community spirit, an adaptation of the urban territory and the collective development of coexistence. The access to rights fosters the right to security.” (Saragossa manifesto, 2006) Security, democracy and cities. - The Saragossa Manifesto
The Efus Executive Committee
The Efus is lead by an Executive Committee of 21 cities, elected every year by its members. Its current President is Guilherme Pinto, Mayor of Matosinhos.
European Forum for Urban Security,
National Forums
National Forums were created in:
• France
• Italy
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Spain
• Portugal
• Germany
The members of the Efus
The members of the Efus benefit from the following services:
- Access to a vast network of knowledge, experts, contacts and experiences
- Links and easy connections with more than 300 local authorities throughout Europe
- Possibility of participating to European projects, thematic seminars, training sessions, international conferences (Paris 1991, Naples 2000, Saragossa 2006)
- Adapted training sessions, advices, technical assistance on security issues
- Privileged access to the members-only part of the Forum website, gathering all urban security practices in Europe
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
(NGO), gathering 300 local authorities. It aims at reinforcing crime prevention policies and promoting the role of local authorities in the development of national and European policies.
The organisation was created in 1987 in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, under the aegis of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
and on the impulse of Mr Gilbert Bonnemaison (former Mayor of the city of Épinay-sur-Seine and co-founder of the French prevention policy.
The Forum works with the majority of the 27 countries, members of the European Union and it has a consultative status at the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Furthermore, it is a member of the group of experts on the theme “Human trafficking”, since 2003 and of the group “Political needs for pertinent data in criminology and criminal justice fields”.
The Efus is the co-founder and secretary of the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC), and a member of the International Scientific and Professional Advisory (ISPAC) of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme.
In 1998, the Efus was awarded an honorific prize by the United Nations Settlements Programme.
In other continents, the Forum supports the creation of national Forums especially in Africa and Southern America.
Notes and references
Goals
The Efus aims to:- Reinforce security policies, based on the prevention and solidarity
- Increase the roles of the cities and of locally elected representatives in the leading partnership of local security policies
- Place local security policy in the line of the European construction
Activities
The Efus works on all major themes linked to urban safety and builds up a network of European local authorities, through the exchange of practices and knowledge, cooperation and training. The Efus is also a link between local authorities and institutions at a national, European and international level. The Efus works to promote the acknowledgement of the role of locally elected officials throughout its programmes, publications and research.The Saragossa manifesto
800 representatives, from 220 European cities, met in Saragossa in November 2 to 4 of 2006 and adopted the Saragossa manifesto “Security, Democracy and Cities”, in the presence of African, northern American, Latino American and Asian cities. European cities as well as cities of other continents were invited to join them, by signing and implementing the guidelines of this document.
“Safety is an essential public asset closely linked to other public assets such as social inclusion and the right to employment, healthcare, education and culture. It is necessary to replace all fear-based strategies with others that promote an active community spirit, an adaptation of the urban territory and the collective development of coexistence. The access to rights fosters the right to security.” (Saragossa manifesto, 2006) Security, democracy and cities. - The Saragossa Manifesto
The Efus Executive Committee
The Efus is lead by an Executive Committee of 21 cities, elected every year by its members. Its current President is Guilherme Pinto, Mayor of Matosinhos.
European Forum for Urban Security,
National Forums
National Forums were created in:
• France
• Italy
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Spain
• Portugal
• Germany
The members of the Efus
The members of the Efus benefit from the following services:
- Access to a vast network of knowledge, experts, contacts and experiences
- Links and easy connections with more than 300 local authorities throughout Europe
- Possibility of participating to European projects, thematic seminars, training sessions, international conferences (Paris 1991, Naples 2000, Saragossa 2006)
- Adapted training sessions, advices, technical assistance on security issues
- Privileged access to the members-only part of the Forum website, gathering all urban security practices in Europe