On Thursday 8 and Friday 9 March 2012 the Integrating Cities Amsterdam 2012 conference will take place in Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. We are proud to host this conference together with Eurocities and the European Commission.

Diversity and citizenship are leading topics in Amsterdam. The city is as a gateway to Europe, bringing different people and companies together. Amsterdam has always attracted artists, philosophers and free-thinkers from around the world. The city has always been a melting pot, with not only space for people of 180 different nationalities, but also with space for alternative lifestyles. The ambitious mercantile spirit brings people together, makes Amsterdam a vital and pulsing metropolis. Amsterdam has the head of a cosmopolitan city and the heart of a village.

However, I’ve learned that we cannot take tolerance for granted. Maintaining and strengthening our vital society requires the will of all inhabitants and visitors to feel responsible. Amsterdam citizenship implies the will to carry with us tolerance, respect and freedom. We have therefore developed a strong anti-discrimination policy and we fight against social exclusion and deprivation together with many partners.

We want to learn from other cities in this respect. Sharing experience of European policy to urban practice is of great value. We need to discuss the contribution of multi-level governance, share best and worst practices and start new alliances. I’m sure this conference will contribute to making integration work in Europe’s cities.

I look forward to welcome you in Amsterdam!

Eberhard van der Laan

Mayor of Amsterdam