BUILDING A SAFER SCANDINAVIA TOGETHER
Democracy and respect for fundamental human rights is deeply rooted in the Nordic countries and are values worth protecting. However, throughout the past decade these values have been challenged by violent actions, which affects a degree of fear with the general public.
Whatever the reasoning, radical and violence-promoting behaviour directly threatens our cities’ safety and ability to be tolerant. These threats not only put pressure on the Nordic values, but also on our communities’ cohesion and social contracts, which have sparked a growing interest in finding solutions on all levels. “We exists until the world is a better and safer place to live” says the Director of the Nordic Safe Cities network, Jeppe Albers.
Nordic Safe Cities is an alliance, a network, working to ensure safe, trustful, tolerant and resilient cities for all, while actively prevent radicalization and violent extremism. We strive to identify, innovate, accelerate, share and scale best practices, network, know-how and local solutions to global challenges to create safer Nordic cities. Please, read more in Events.
“As a whole, the Nordic Safe Cities network takes a wider perspective on safety in the communities. It is not just looking at radicalization and extremism, but viewing cities as ecosystems with individuals within them whom we need to tailor particular solutions for different types of problems” comments Magnus Ranstorp, Research Director at the Centre for Asymmetric Threat at the Swedish Defence College.
In 2016, Nordic Safe Cities was initiated and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and has since then brought together more than 50 small and large cities from the Nordic Region as well as experts and executives operating within this field. The network is run by the Nordic-operating social entrepreneur agency, Nextstep by Bindslev, which is based in Copenhagen.
Ambitions of the Nordic Safe Cities Alliance
As a guideline, the Nordic Safe Cities has formulated six ambitions and focus areas for making a safe city.
Nordic Safe Cities Charter
LIGHT ON LIFE
We agree to bring light on life and build safe communities with trust, tolerance and resilience.
We will work actively to safeguard all citizens and prevent radicalization and violent extremism.
We will strive to ensure that our city and communities have:
Safe Urban Spaces
Create a city open for everyone everywhere
Safe Online Sphere
Promote an online sphere with an e-safety culture and safe online communities
Strong Families
Act with families to safeguard children
Safe Public Institutions
Strengthen public institutions to safeguard through inclusive policies and initiatives
Strong Youth Engagement
Empower the voices of youth
Safe Communities
Create safe & resilient local communities and foster friendships between people in the local neighborhood
For more information about the ambitions please download the Nordic Safe Cities Guide.
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