Glocalize! Communities Development and global integration

“Glocalize! Communities development and global integration " is a Youth Exchange, taking place in Óbidos in November 2015, that intents to promote a dialogue with young people about the future of youth employment within the cultural heritage sector. We would like to use this opportunity to start a young European think-tank which looks at the role that the green economy, cultural heritage and creative industries and the knowledge economy have to play in economic recover.
EU culture ministers reached a political agreement on raising the European Heritage Label to an EU level. During the meeting, the ministers approved the Council’s conclusions on the contribution of culture to the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Cities have a duty to build better links between skills and economic development policies with skills and human capital being a key priority for economic development in the 21st century. Cities can use their youngsters’ as their key asset and driver for sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.
Cultural Heritage can be a rich door to new job opportunities and for new ways of combating youth unemployment but also to raise the prevention of school dropping, to encourage voluntary activities of young people and their contribution to the development of their local communities.
Across Europe the economic crisis dominates headlines. Public funding is under enormous pressure with budget cuts taking place across the EU’s public sector so cities
have to address their challenges with fewer resources than before. In this climate of austerity local leaders need to work smart to make sure that policies and local initiatives are efficient enough to generate growth, create jobs and combat exclusion whilst protecting the environment.