By Ginevra De Bellis and Edoardo Guglielmino, on behalf of Team Florence (OIC Group, Destination Florence and Firenze Fiera)

This year’s edition of the UIA Round Table Europe in Florence is set to be a memorable one! Participants will get a unique opportunity to learn and exchange from a panel of ‘G-locally’ selected speakers: global reach with a local feel…

Before, during and after the UIA Round Table in Florence 2024, the overarching message throughout will be ‘It’s up to us’ related to what we do, and how we do it. All standpoints will be considered: association, PCO/event organizer, Convention Bureau and venue.

There will be a clear connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a connection highlighted and explained throughout. The theme of ‘It’s Up to Us’ connected to the UN SDGs and the EU Agenda 2030 will be the common denominator that flows through communication, the programme, the sessions as well as onsite.

‘It’s Up to Us’ because only by coming together, connecting and working things out, can we truly make a change, but that change is ‘up to us’.

Each sector, each community and individual has its part to play and associations are the perfect ‘glue’ bringing everything together! Associations have the power to drive change and turn theories into actions for the common good. Associations can advocate and influence political decisions in so many aspects of our daily life and the content of the UIA Round Table Europe 2024 will be focusing on the actions that can be taken.

The session ‘Roots of Renewal: How Associations can Embrace Regenerative Approaches through Local Reforestation’ is designed to propagate the concept of a ‘regenerative approach’ towards nature and communities, emphasizing the transformative potential of local reforestation efforts and the importance of internal change in associations. It aims to go beyond conventional conservation strategies, advocating for a systemic change in our interaction with the environment. Participants will be introduced to the principles of regenerative development, an approach that views reforestation not just as a method of planting trees, but as a holistic strategy to increase biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and revitalize community dynamics.

The session ‘Italian Knowledge Leaders: fostering intellectual engagement through collaboration with international associations’ will challenge international associations to focus on the importance of maintaining a dynamic and stimulating relationship with their national members by supporting their intellectual skills and developing their full potential. How associations can maximize the impact, relevance, and sustainability of their events by harnessing the expertise, insights, and networks of local intellectual leaders, and thus develop successful partnerships with host destinations will be discussed.

The session ‘Low Vision Congress – An example of 360-degree teamwork to listen, learn and leave a legacy for the future’ will focus on a Case Study meant to highlight the importance of listening to the needs of the association. Co-creative thinking and brainstorming are the keys to presenting a well-rounded project with the aim of not just looking at Vision 2025, to be held from 8 to 12 September 2025 in Florence, but leaving added value for the years to come.

The session ‘UN SDGs and EU Agenda 2030 – Associations Striving for Equal Opportunities’ is meant to define equal opportunities beyond gender equality. How can associations enhance equal opportunities in their own specific fields? How can they claim the attention of policy makers on the subject? How should they contribute to the development of the subject on a global scale even with a small contribution? Associations’ unique knowledge of their professional environment makes them the perfect magnifying glass to show policy makers the way forward in endeavouring to provide equal opportunities for all.

AI is the subject of the moment… so what can be better than listening to the ‘Storytelling of AI – The good, the bad and the ugly’ session? How did it start? How has it developed? Where are we now? Where are we going? Risks and opportunities are here. Analysing the inevitable impact that AI will have on international associations and the future of humanity.

Our aim has been to create a rich and diverse programme, not only with topics of general interest, but also, for all those taking part, something to take back and to be directly useful for Monday morning. The whole idea is that it really is ‘Up to Us’, and now we need to be doing something concrete about it.

See you in Florence on 14 and 15 November 2024!