Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s Post

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝟕𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟓𝟎?* Since I became more active in restless.brussels, I've started seeing every city that I visit from a whole new perspective. I now notice small details that make cities more livable and engaging. I've been even documenting these observations, maybe to be shared in the future. (A new hobby alert!) As most of you have seen, the Restless Brussels team and our supporters have been tirelessly campaigning to mobilise internationals to register to vote in the upcoming local elections. Why? Because shaping the future of Brussels is a collective effort, and every voice matters. Your contribution is essential in ensuring our city is governed in a way that reflects the diverse community we are. You can still make a difference by registering to vote. 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝟑𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 (Link in the comments below) Recently, I met many friends some of whom, for various reasons (including being stateless), don't have the right to vote. They all wished they had. As Rodica mentioned in her recent post, 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞. Please don't take it for granted! *UN World Cities Report 2022

The European elections are coming up! From today until Sunday, all European citizens can cast their vote in the European Parliament elections. Thanks to the EU, there is the European education program Erasmus+, which made our EqualDigital project possible in the first place. What makes transnational cooperation so special? Partner organizations from four different EU countries are working together on EqualDigital: Finland, Estonia, Romania, Germany. We learn from each other and pass on our knowledge. Through real encounters, we create understanding for the culture and education systems of the respective partner countries. We complement each other and create something new together. Each partner brings their own experience and strengths, which flow into our project. Transnational cooperation broadens horizons. We break down prejudices. We exchange views and traditions on education and gain interesting insights. For example, what can we learn from countries with advanced digitalization? Thanks to a transnational project, we can strengthen European cohesion, network better, promote education and defend our common values. We are grateful that this is possible. The EU is a peace project. Let us use our vote to ensure that it continues to exist for a long time to come. #EuropeanUnion #europeanelections #europeanunion #europeanelections2024 #europeancooperation #ErasmusPlus #erasmusplusproject #erasmusplus #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #digitalempowerment #digitalempowers #trainthetrainers #TrainTheTrainers

South Australia moves ahead of Western Australia!

The Voor U political party in Belgium, launched by Els Ampe, is a fresh alternative in the Belgian political landscape, particularly as the country heads towards the European Parliament elections 2024. VoorU advocates for what can be described as “liberal social reform,” focusing on individual freedom, entrepreneurship and reducing bureaucratic constraints that stifle innovation and personal freedoms. Els Ampe, a key figure in the party, emphasizes VoorU’s commitment to addressing practical issues directly affecting citizens, such as mobility, safety, and public service efficiency, aiming to engage voters disillusioned with the traditional party politics in Belgium. Marta Barandiy is another pivotal figure in the #VoorU political movement, symbolizing the party’s dedication to promoting Flemish cause within the EU. Her involvement underscores VoorU’s commitment to fostering broader connections beyond Flanders’ and Belgium’s borders, proposing policies that are not only locally beneficial but also advantageous in a broader European context. Her role involves leveraging her experience and network to enhance VoorU’s policy propositions, particularly in areas concerning security and defense, international relations and European Union affairs. This strategic focus in the European Parliament elections, highlights VoorU’s readiness to represent Flemish interests effectively at the European level. https://lnkd.in/exMCF7MG

Brussels, it's time to amplify our voices! Our vote matters, and 2024 is the year to make it count. Let's reverse these disheartening statistics and change the pattern of disengagement with local politics. If Brussels's local politics seems daunting (spoiler: it's complicated), join the upcoming restless.brussels events this year. Engage in good discussions and ask any questions you might have—no question is too basic. Thanks to Tom Moylan for this motivating call to action. #RestlessBrussels #BrusselsVotes https://lnkd.in/daRZFsQE

After 30 years of EU law giving Europeans the right to vote in municipal elections, Belgium's clever registration requirement leads to only 17pc of us actually voting. Belgian federal and local politicians aren't discriminating, just doing the best for their parties. Choosing an EU citizen as an electable candidate leads to far fewer votes overall as so few in our community beat the 1 August registration deadline and procedure. And why vote as an EU citizen when there's hardly ever an EU citizen to choose on candidate lists? Change will come for a registration procedure that effectively, and perhaps intentionally, keeps EU citizens from exercising rights to vote and to stand as candidates in municipal elections "under the same conditions as nationals of that State". Whether that change comes for October 2030 is up to lawyers. It's too late for 13 October 2024. As the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024 well knows, the Court of Justice of the European Union had first to force Belgium (C-323/97) to grant EU citizens the right to vote at local elections. With voting in local elections no longer compulsory, Belgium cannot wiggle out of council directive 1974/80. https://lnkd.in/eeQDt5_t C-323/97 On those grounds, THE COURT (Sixth Chamber), hereby: 12 Declares that, by failing to bring into force within the prescribed period the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Council Directive 94/80/EC of 19 December 1994 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals, the Kingdom of Belgium has failed to fulfil its obligations under the first paragraph of Article 14 of that directive; 13 Orders the Kingdom of Belgium to pay the costs.

🔔 A Step Forward for Global Czechs: Correspondence Voting 🌍✉️ 🔔 This week, the Czech Parliament took an encouraging first step towards empowering Czech citizens living abroad. The proposal for correspondence voting has successfully passed its first reading, a move that could significantly transform our democratic processes. Why This Matters? ✅ 1. Inclusivity: True democracy requires the participation of all its citizens. Implementing correspondence voting would make our democratic process more inclusive, allowing Czechs everywhere to have their voices heard, regadless how far they would have to travel to the embassies. ✅ 2. Global Perspectives: Our expatriate community, with its diverse experiences, can greatly enrich our national discourse. Their potential involvement in elections is a step towards embracing these global insights. ✅ 3. Strengthening Ties: This initiative is about more than just voting; it's about strengthening the bond with our global Czech community, reinforcing their connection with our homeland. We, Czechs living abroad, DO CARE whats happening in our native country !!! ✅ 4. Modernizing Voting: This first reading represents progress towards modernizing our electoral system, making it more accessible and efficient. 🔴 ⚪ 🔵 To Czechs Abroad: This development is a positive sign. Your voice and participation in shaping our country's future remain vital. Let's stay hopeful, connected, and engaged, as we anticipate the further progress of this important legislation. #CzechRepublic #DemocracyInProgress #GlobalCzechs #VotingRights #ElectoralReform Marta McCabe, Ph.D.

At Publyon we are all set for 2024! This week the real work starts for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024.     Belgium takes over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It comes at an interesting time: towards the end of this European Commission (October 2024) and during the European Parliament elections as well as elections in Belgium (June 2024).     In this transformational period, Belgium will be able to shape the strategic agenda of the European Commission’s next five years. What are the main priorities of Belgium? 📌 Work on a comprehensive EU Industrial Deal, 📌 Boost Europe’s competitiveness, 📌 Prepare the EU’s reform to be fit for the future.    While other small countries might struggle to navigate the complexities of the European Union, Belgium with its multifaceted governance structure and trilingual society is accustomed to such an environment. This has sharpened Belgians' reputation as skilled, multilingual, and patient negotiators – qualities that are highly valued in finalising policy negotiations with other EU institutions before election recess kicks in around March.    The Publyon team wishes all the best to the 13th Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024.   If you want to understand how these events will play out, get in touch with us at eu@publyon.com  #EU2024BE #BelgianPresidency #CouncilOfTheEU

🇪🇺🔌Mark your calendars and join us for our next CharIN Tuesday EUROPE series: "EU Post-Elections"! 🇪🇺🔌 Following the EU elections for a new European Parliament this year, the new College of Commissioners under President Ursula von der Leyen is now to be confirmed. As the head of the so-called Executive of the EU, which has all but exclusive rights in proposing legislation, the appointment of the new College brings with it several questions that we will discuss in a CharIN Tuesday Triplet: 1️⃣A Geographic Snapshot on the State of Affairs in e-Mobility Roll-out. 📅October 22, 2024 2️⃣Beyond Road Transport: What Are Other Sectors Doing to Join the Transition? 📅October 29, 2024 3️⃣ Will EU Politics and Policy for E-mobility Stand its Course or Change Direction? 📅November 5, 2024 The first two sessions will focus on the "state of the union" from a geographic and sectoral perspective, and the crowning third session will explore what we can expect from the EU institutions and member states. All sessions will be moderated by Glenn Cezanne, CharIN's Head of Public Affairs EU. Speakers will include industry, policymakers, and civil society. We look forward to welcoming you to our Tuesday sessions. 👉Click here to register and find more details: https://lnkd.in/dP4UneR #CharIN #CharINTuesdayEurope #EU #Elections #EMobility

Over the past three days, I had the privilege of being in Brussels with the Association of International & European Affairs | ΟΔΕΘ for a Study Visit specifically designed for Content Creators and Lead Volunteers. This initiative, organized by the EPLO of Athens and together.eu, aimed to deepen our understanding of the upcoming EU 2024 Elections campaign and explore how we can contribute to fostering a robust electoral turnout. Our journey included insightful discussions with distinguished figures such as Jaume Duch Guillot, the Director General for Communication and European Parliament Spokesperson, on the intricacies of EU Elections campaign strategies. We also had the honor of conversing with EP Vice-President Dimitrios Papadimoulis about the prospects of our continent, and engaged with the brilliant Elena Lazarou on the pivotal role of research in the EP's policymaking process. The dialogues extended to human rights, where Stefan Krauss shared invaluable perspectives on promotion and protection efforts, including the Sakharov Prize. A visit with Ms. Sofia Asteriadi from the European Commission offered a window into the Commission's workings and priorities. This experience was not only enlightening but also incredibly inspiring, reinforcing the importance of active participation in shaping a better, safer, more sustainable, and friendlier European Union. The encounters with such visionary leaders underscored the collective effort required to enhance EU elections turnout. As we look forward to the 6th of June, let's remember the power of our vote. It's a chance to voice our hopes for the future of Europe. Voting is not just a right; it's a responsibility. Because if we don't make a choice, someone else will make it for us. Let's contribute to shaping the EU we believe in. #useyourvote