During the inauguration, the mayor of Valencia, Mr. Joan Ribó, stressed that the participants of the event had a joint characteristic: “their commitment and vision that education and educators are indispensable elements to ensure a sustainable development, a more solidarity and inclusive city; a city having free women and men, aware of the importance of the education in coexistence and the respect as citizens; a city which fosters participation to improve the environment in which we live”. He also defended that “the educational approach has to be present in all aspects of the municipal administration”. For that reason, he said that we had to take advantage of the meeting “to talk about common objectives; to share challenges and opportunities; to debate, ask, propose, exchange and promote joint actions which lead to the definition and promotion of a common model of Educating City which takes into consideration our diversity and idiosyncrasy, in accordance with the principles contained in the Charter of Educating Cities.”

After the welcoming ceremony, the philosopher Ms. Lali Bosch held a dialogue with the audience around the theme “For a model of an Educating City”.

Subsequently, the technical and political teams present shared experiences having in mind the will to build together a model of Educating city in each municipality. Moreover, there was debate on the challenges and the opportunities associated to the commitment with the Charter of Educating Cities.

Representatives of Alicante, Castellón de la Plana, Alaquàs, Alcoy, Benetússer, Burjassot, Catarroja, Puig, La Vall d’Uixó, Meliana, Ontinyent, Quart de Poblet, Sagunto, Silla, Torrent, Vila-real and Jávea participated in the meeting. There were also representatives of Lleida, as coordinating city of the Spanish Network, the IAEC Secretariat and the Regional Government of Valence.