7TH ANNUAL TECHNICAL MEETING OF THE
VENICE DECLARATION SIGNATORIES
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 15-16-17 June 2026
(Valencia, Spain)
GENERAL INFORMATION
RATIONALE
Following up the World Summit on Social Development (Doha, Qatar, 4-6 November 2025), the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project will convene its 7th Annual Technical Meeting to advance its mission: promoting family-oriented urban policies that strengthen social cohesion, equity, and sustainability.
Across recent decades, rapid urbanization has profoundly transformed family structures and living arrangements. These changes have brought both persistent and emerging challenges:
– Digital divide, parenting support and skill-building
– Urban population: aging and persons with disabilities. Rising demand for caregiving, barriers to accessibility, intergenerational living arrangements, family care.
– Mental health and addiction pressures linked to social fragmentation, economic stress, behavioral outcomes, family relationships, increased vulnerability, requiered coodinated prevention and community-based support.
PARTICIPANTS
Signatories of the Venice Declaration will present local policies and good practices applying a family perspective to address these complex issues. Urban policymakers, technical experts, and civil society leaders will engage in peer learning and joint reflection on how best follow-up on the outcomes of the II World Social Summit, while contributing to the implementation of SDG 11 -Sustainable Cities and Communities and the New Urban Agenda promoted by ONU-Habitat, UN DESA, and the Venice Declaration.
KEY OBJECTIVES
– Policy Exchange: Share innovations in family-oriented urban policies, highlighting the role of technology in service delivery, care economy mechanisms, and community-based mental health models.
– Monitoring Reports: Review and enhance the Annual Monitoring Reports submitted by Venice Declaration signatories.
– Good Practices Platform: Strengthen this collaborative tool to promote evidence-based urban policies.
– Indicators and Enabling Conditions: Identify key indicators and enabling factors to build resilient, caring, and inclusive urban communities with families as a cornerstone.
FEATURED INNOVATIONS
– Live Cases in Urban Innovation: In partnership with Elisan Network, the European Delegate of the Project, the live case methodology introduces real urban challenges into the academic setting, not to showcase successes, but to analyze root causes, co-create solutions, and learn collaboratively.
– Youth and Policy Development: Support of young people in policy implementation, evaluation and support among Signatories of the Venice Declaration. This year some IPC Students will come along and give their vision about family-friendly policies.
– Expanding Partnerships: Strengthening the international alliance for family-centered urban regeneration.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The 7th Technical Meeting will build on previous gatherings, delivering forward-looking policy recommendations and an updated Action Plan to guide Venice Declaration signatories toward key capacity-building instruments and commitments.
These outcomes will include:
– Concrete steps to scale up successful models
– Prioritization of vulnerable families
– Embedding a human-centered vision of progress into future urban policies.
By reinforcing inter-municipal collaboration and showcasing scalable innovations, this Technical Meeting aims to inspire stronger global commitments to social development — beginning at the level of the family and extending across the urban fabric.
GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION
EVENT STRUCTURE
The event will focus on advancing the Inclusive Cities and Sustainable Families Project though the Venice Declaration. In particular, we will discuss opportunities that may arise for the 2026 International Urban Forum in Baku, which will be submitted to the United Nations this year and we will explore better ways to follow-up on the Sustainable Development Goals thanks to recommendations from already Good Practices developed by various signatories around the globe.
During the 7th Annual Technical Meeting and the Observance of World Cities Day 2026 it will also hold the General Assembly of the Elisan Network.
To ensure a smooth and productive session, we would like to outline the guidelines for your participation:
GOOD PRACTICES EXCHANGE PRESENTATION
– Each speaker will have 7 minutes for their presentation, followed by an additional 3 minutes for recommendations.
– Your recommendations are crucial as they will contribute to an outcome document aimed at advancing the Venice Declaration.
– If you are one of the speakers and presenters of Good Practices on behalf of your Signatory, please let us know any questions you may have.
LIVE CASES PRESENTATION
– The protagonists will have 10 minutes for their presentation, finalizing with the main challenges
– The challenges are crucial as they are the key to open the dialogue and outline the steps forward in the next 40 minutes.
– The expected outcome of the live case is a roadmap for the transformation of the challenge into a good practice.
SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS
We kindly request that you submit your presentations and any audiovisual materials by June 12th, 2026.
Please send them to un@iffd.org
LOGISTICAL INFORMATION
Thank you very much for coming to Valencia, Spain to participate in the Annual Technical Meeting of the network of municipalities and local governments that have signed the Venice Declaration.
On behalf of the Elisan Network, we would like to welcome you to Valencia, Spain and share some guidelines to facilitate your stay with us.
VENUE
– Physical Venue: Centro del Carmen de Cultura Contemporanea, Sala Refectorio. Calle de Museu n2, Valencia 46003; https://maps.app.goo.gl/gPusvPGD12EH4jig7
– Connection link:
– Time Zone: (CEST, UTC+2)
TRAVEL
– Valencia Airport (VLC) is located approximately 8 km from the city center.
– By Metro
A direct metro connection links the airport to the city center in approximately 20 minutes. Metro Lines 3 and 5 run from Aeroport station to key central stops, including Àngel Guimerà, Xàtiva, and Colón.
The most convenient stops for reaching the historic city center — including the Centro del Carmen — are Xàtiva and Colón, both situated in the heart of the city near the main train station and principal shopping areas.
The ticket costs approximately €4.80, plus €1 for a reusable transport card.
– By Taxi
A taxi from Valencia Airport to the city center typically costs between €20 and €30, with a journey time of about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. The fare includes the standard metered rate plus a mandatory airport supplement of approximately €5.40.
Taxis are available 24/7 directly outside the arrivals terminal
To reach Centro del Carmen (Carrer del Museu, 2, Ciutat Vella):
Take Metro Line 3 or 5 from Aeroport to Xàtiva or Colón (about 20 minutes).
From either station, the venue is approximately a 15–20 minute walk through the historic center.
From Xàtiva, walk toward Plaza del Ayuntamiento and continue north toward the Ciutat Vella district.
From Colón, walk toward the Turia Gardens and then into the Carmen neighborhood.
Alternatively, you may stop at Àngel Guimerà and connect to Metro Line 1 to Turia station, which is about a 10–15 minute walk from Centro del Carmen.
The metro ticket costs approximately €4.80, plus €1 for a reusable transport card.
ACCOMMODATION
Central, highly rated hotels within or near the historic centre
– Hotel Puerta Serranos – Stylish boutique hotel in Ciutat Vella with excellent reviews and historic charm.
– San Lorenzo Hotel Boutique – Boutique stay on a picturesque square in the historic district.
– MYR Hotel Palau Vallier – Luxury option near Plaza de Manises, ideal for walkers exploring historic sites.
– Caro Hotel – Highly rated upscale design hotel with a refined atmosphere.
– Hotel Vincci Mercat – Comfortable 4-star stay near the Central Market and historical centre.
– The Valentia Corretgeria – Boutique option on a quiet street, still close to the main attractions.
– VALOLA Boutique Rooms – Charming small property with excellent guest ratings.
– Casa Clarita by SH Hoteles – Well-reviewed mid-range hotel in Ciutat Vella.
– Numa Valencia El Carmen – Good option right in the El Carmen neighbourhood, very close to Centro del Carmen.
– Hotel Marqués House – Comfortable hotel with strong reviews and a central spot.
LOCAL CURRENCY
There are several ATMs inside the airport.
You can withdraw euros directly with your bank card.
This is usually cheaper than exchanging cash.
MORE INFORMATION
– Plug System
- In Spain, the plug type is European (Type C / Type F) — two round pins.It is recommended to bring a universal adapter to ensure compatibility. The electrical voltage is 230 V.
CONTACT
José Alejandro Vázquez (Alex)
Director of International Relations
famperspective@gmail.com
WA: +1 (973) 510-1276
Elena Curtopassi
ELISAN
elenacurtopassi@gmail.com
WA: +32 471 30 35 28
