The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), owners of the Velo-city conference series, the City of Vancouver, and the conference organizers of Velo-city Global 2012 are pleased to announce the upcoming signing of the Charter of Vancouver.
The Charter of Vancouver is a document outlining the important connection between children and cycling, and is based on the United Nations 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Charter is designed to recognize children’s rights worldwide, the special ability of cycling to enshrine them, and a commitment from the signatories to call for the adoption of goals, policies, and practices toward cycling, as a means to further recognize and promote the rights of children.
The Charter of Vancouver on Children and Cycling will be signed on June 29, 2012 during the Velo-city Global 2012 conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, along with ECF President Manfred Neun, are amongst the expected signatories.
At Velo-city Global 2012, children and cycling are the foundation of one of the conference’s major themes, Empowering People and Inclusivity. Conference delegates can expect sessions focusing on incorporating cycling education into school curriculums, promoting youth engagement in alternative transport planning and transportation decision making, as well as best practices for bike-to-school programs.
“Cycling means happiness, cycling is community building, and as everyone can have a bicycle, cycling is democracy.”
These are words of Gil Peñalosa, Velo-city Global 2012’s opening and closing master of ceremonies. They speak to the essence of the Charter of Vancouver, a document that will serve as a legacy for the City of Vancouver, the Velo-city Global 2012 conference, and a commitment to the development, and lives of children around the world.
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ABOUT VELO-CITY GLOBAL 2012
Velo-city Global is the world’s premier international cycling planning conference. The four day event offers delegates from around the world a chance to share best practices for creating and sustaining cycling-friendly cities, where bicycles are valued as part of daily transport and recreation.
The Velo-city Global conference unites politicians, engineers, planners, architects, social marketers, academics, researchers, environmentalists, advocates, educators and industry representatives. Delegates join forces and foster trans-national collaboration. The event also draws experts from related areas such as health, economics and the environment.
Velo-city Global 2012 in Vancouver is expected to host over 1,000 delegates from around the world. The conference will be held on June 26 – 29, 2012 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, accessible by the new Hornby Street separated bike lane.
http://www.velo-city2012.com/news-updates