Catalonia proposes debates on post-Covid world from a decentralizing perspective

Starting on June 25, the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia (Diplocat) will host a series of online debates in English on the post-Covid world “from a decentralizing perspective.” Under the title “Diplocat Digital Talks – The world after the Covid-19,” the sessions are aimed at international audiences and will assess the role of sub-state entities in areas such as sustainability, new tourism models, the future of mass-assisted cultural and sporting events or the new productive models of certain European regions.

The first of these talks, “The global and European role of sub-state entities in building future post-COVID-19 scenarios,” will be co-organized with the Catalan government’s Center for Contemporary Studies. The next debate will be on June 29, “Leaving business as usual aside: sustainability at the center of COVID-19 economic recovery”, focusing on environmental and financial issues that should be considered in relation to the public health crisis.

Laura Foraster, Secretary General of Diplocat, explains that “Catalonia must push, as it has always done, towards a redefinition of the European framework that prioritises multilevel governance and gives more voice and prominence to the role of stateless nations, regions and cities”. The aim is to share knowledge and exchange good practices between sub-state entities on the strategies to be followed in the immediate future with these hour-long talks, which will afterwards be available on Diplocat’s website.