The 8th European Civil Protection Forum, held on June 4-5, 2024, in Brussels, helped to build networks and encourage knowledge exchange amongst stakeholders. By integrating formal discussions with extensive informal networking opportunities, the Forum fostered collaboration and contributed to building a stronger civil protection community – one of its main objectives.
The Forum is a hub for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among different actors involved in European civil protection. This edition of the Forum brought together over 1,500 stakeholders, including government representatives, civil protection authorities at various levels, first responders, EU institutions, the scientific community, and the private sector. The participants engaged in high-level plenary sessions, thematic workshops, and interactive panels, all designed to promote dialogue and the sharing of best practices, thereby strengthening the civil protection community.
“The Civil Protection Forum is a meeting place for the whole community of civil protection practitioners, and it is a real community. One of my highlights is to see the community growing and thriving.”
The 8th European Civil Protection Forum effectively served its primary objective of creating a stronger community. By combining comprehensive formal sessions with diverse informal networking opportunities, the Forum not only advanced the civil protection agenda but also solidified the bonds among stakeholders. The networks and collaborations forged at the Forum promise to drive future innovations and cooperative efforts, enhancing disaster resilience across Europe. The event's success highlights the importance of community building in achieving collective goals and preparing for future challenges.
“The event provided excellent opportunities to connect with the other professionals, fostering meaningful discussions and potential collaborations. These aspects worked exceptionally well because they contributed to a productive, enriching, and enjoyable experience for all participants.”
For more details and insights from the Forum, please visit the official Forum page.
‘The [Civil Protection] Village offered the opportunity to browse the stands and network at the same time.”
The Forum’s success in fostering a stronger community extended beyond formal sessions; informal networking opportunities were particularly valued by participants. One of the standout features of the Forum was the Civil Protection Village, a dedicated space for interaction and learning. The Civil Protection Village featured 45 stands from various organisations and Member and Participating States. Here, attendees explored innovations and initiatives shaping the future of civil protection.
"I didn’t realise how much industry would be represented here with their impressive solutions. The Civil Protection Village showcased a wide diversity of providers and actors, offering a great opportunity to engage with them."
The Forum's evening event, including a networking dinner and a live band performance, played a significant role in facilitating informal networking. The event allowed participants to continue their discussions in a more relaxed setting, helping to forge deeper connections and collaborative partnerships, which are key to building a stronger community.
The participatory leadership approach (inviting and facilitating dialogue in a way which encourages collaboration and facilitates collective intelligence), evident in the interactive workshops, encouraged active involvement from all attendees, further enhancing the collaborative atmosphere that is vital for a robust civil protection community.
“Workshops … empower the network of professionals through a sense of belonging”.
The UCPM Foosball Championship brought together participants in a spirit of friendly competition and was specifically set up with the objective of encouraging collaboration and boosting community participation. The inaugural UCPM Foosball Championship featured 24 teams, with Luxembourg emerging as the winner, followed by Italy in second place and Austria in third place. The championship provided a fun and competitive opportunity for attendees to showcase their foosball skills and connect with old and new colleagues.
“The UCPM Foosball Championship was a great and fun event”.
Finally, the famous Brussels Manneken Pis statue, symbol of the city and its resilience over the centuries, was dressed in civil protection uniform in anticipation of the Forum. The special ceremony at Hôtel de Ville on 31 May brought together the City of Brussels, and the non-profit association The Order of the Friends of Manneken Pis, to celebrate this special occasion with DG ECHO. This unique touch not only celebrated the local Brusseleir culture (the Director General made his speech in French, Flemish and Brusseleir!) but also symbolised the unity and shared mission of enhancing civil protection across Europe.
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