The European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO), gathering 300 local authorities. It aims at reinforcing crime prevention policies and promoting the role of local authorities in the development of national and European policies.
The organisation was created in 1987 in Barcelona, under the aegis of the Council of Europe and on the impulse of Mr Gilbert Bonnemaison (former Mayor of the city of Épinay-sur-Seine and co-founder of the French prevention policy.
The Forum works with the majority of the 27 countries, members of the European Union and it has a consultative status at the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. Furthermore, it is a member of the group of experts on the theme “Human trafficking”, since 2003 and of the group “Political needs for pertinent data in criminology and criminal justice fields”. The Efus is the co-founder and secretary of the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC), and a member of the International Scientific and Professional Advisory (ISPAC) of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme. In 1998, the Efus was awarded an honorific prize by the United Nations Settlements Programme. In other continents, the Forum supports the creation of national Forums especially in Africa and Southern America. Notes and references
The Efus aims to:
The Efus works on all major themes linked to urban safety and builds up a network of European local authorities, through the exchange of practices and knowledge, cooperation and training. The Efus is also a link between local authorities and institutions at a national, European and international level. The Efus works to promote the acknowledgement of the role of locally elected officials throughout its programmes, publications and research.
The Saragossa manifesto 800 representatives, from 220 European cities, met in Saragossa in November 2 to 4 of 2006 and adopted the Saragossa manifesto “Security, Democracy and Cities”, in the presence of African, northern American, Latino American and Asian cities. European cities as well as cities of other continents were invited to join them, by signing and implementing the guidelines of this document. “Safety is an essential public asset closely linked to other public assets such as social inclusion and the right to employment, healthcare, education and culture. It is necessary to replace all fear-based strategies with others that promote an active community spirit, an adaptation of the urban territory and the collective development of coexistence. The access to rights fosters the right to security.” (Saragossa manifesto, 2006) Security, democracy and cities. - The Saragossa Manifesto
The Efus Executive Committee The Efus is lead by an Executive Committee of 21 cities, elected every year by its members. Its current President is Guilherme Pinto, Mayor of Matosinhos. European Forum for Urban Security, National Forums National Forums were created in: • France • Italy • Belgium • Netherlands • Spain • Portugal • Germany
The members of the Efus The members of the Efus benefit from the following services: - Access to a vast network of knowledge, experts, contacts and experiences - Links and easy connections with more than 300 local authorities throughout Europe - Possibility of participating to European projects, thematic seminars, training sessions, international conferences (Paris 1991, Naples 2000, Saragossa 2006) - Adapted training sessions, advices, technical assistance on security issues - Privileged access to the members-only part of the Forum website, gathering all urban security practices in Europe