Right to Mobility for All

Join our networking conference with mobility transition activists from Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Serbia!

When: On Friday, December 1, 2023 (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, December 2, 2023 (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) - in Brussels

With interpretation: German, English, Portuguese

 

We will discuss the following questions:

• How can the introduction of zero-fare public transport be promoted?
• What experiences do the various activists bring with them in their fight for more public transport, cycling and walking?
• How can it be ensured that the topic of "zero fare" is not appropriated by the right? (see e.g. experiences from Brazil)
• How can we combine the issues of the "right to mobility" and the current cost of living crisis?
• What political alliances can we build to enforce the right to mobility for all?

If you would like to take part in the networking conference, please send an e-mail with information about your background to Manuela Kropp: manuela.kropp@rosalux.org

 

Public Panel Discussion: Free Public Transport - New Alliances Possible?

 

Friday, 1 December 2023 from 5 pm to 6.30 pm (Brussels, Berlin, Amsterdam),

1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. (Sao Paulo)

 

In presence at the office of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Brussels, Rue Saint Ghislain 62, B-1000 Brussels and online

 

Speakers: Daniel Santini (Brazil), Cristiane Costa Goncalves (Brazil), Conor Farrell (European Transport Workers' Federation), Judith Dellheim (Berliner Energietisch, Germany), Rika Müller-Vahl (#wirfahrenzusammen, Germany)

Facilitation: Manuela Kropp (RLS Brussels)

 

In Germany, the #wirfahrenzusammen alliance was formed a few months ago between Fridays for Future and the trade union ver.di to take to the streets together for better working conditions, better pay and an expansion of public transport. In many German cities, there are already action groups collecting signatures and establishing contacts between public transport workers and climate activists. In Brazil, more than 80 cities already have free public transport, but at the same time it is on the verge of collapse in many other regions - this raises the question of alternative financing and the pressing question of mobility poverty.

The European Transport Workers' Federation is calling for the expansion of public transport throughout Europe, protection against violence for employees and better working conditions and wages. At the same time, it is becoming apparent that the European member states are not making sufficient use of the money available from the European coronavirus aid fund to expand rail and public transport. And last but not least, there is the question of "forced mobility": more and more people are having to move away from city centres because they can no longer afford the rents, making them dependent on cars or having to cope with poor public transport services. Many people in Europe and Brazil therefore suffer from mobility poverty.

 

We would like to discuss the following questions in our public panel discussion:

• How can we achieve the expansion of public transport and rail transport and zero fares? What can we learn from Brazil?
• What alliances can we form to achieve the expansion of public transport and zero fares? What challenges do the trade unions face?
• How can free public transport be successfully implemented?
• How can we successfully combat mobility poverty in our cities and rural regions? What role does this play in the fight against the rise of the right?
• What political demands can we formulate for the upcoming European elections?

 

The event will be held in English.

 

To register (for in presence and online), please send an email to Manuela Kropp manuela.kropp@rosalux.org