BARCELONA: WORLD CAPITAL OF TIME POLICIES
Barcelona is the first World Capital of Time Policies for 2022-2023, as decided by the Network of Governments and Regions of Time Policies, due to its long history in the promotion and management of time policies. The following are the historical milestones in Time Policies in Barcelona:
- 2003: Creation of the first council for the use of time in Spain.
- 2006: Composition of the recognised NUST – New Social Uses of Time Business Network with the aim of sharing and making visible good practices among companies.
- 2014: Approval of the first Time Pact, a city agreement to promote a healthier, more egalitarian, efficient and sustainable use of time around 7 strategic axes: care, health, education, work, participation, citizen services and sustainable citizenship.
Continued active participation in municipal, metropolitan and international networks working with other city councils to promote time policies in cities.
Hosting the first World Capital of Time Policy is a great opportunity to raise awareness among citizens and other cities about the importance of time management for a healthier, more equal, efficient and sustainable life.
THE NETWORK OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS FOR TIME POLICIES
The Network of Local and Regional Governments for Time Policies was created in Barcelona in 2008, initially as the Network of European Cities for Time Policies. Now known as the Network of Local and Regional Governments for Time Policies, it is made up of cities such as Barcelona, Bogota, Bolzano, Milan, Strasbourg and the collaboration of hundreds of organisations.
The aim of the Network is to share knowledge among its members, through the exchange of experiences, learning and good practices in time policies in order to promote them internationally.
The Network is open to cities and metropolitan regions around the world, to raise awareness and visibility of time policies and to connect with citizens, the concept of “World Capital of Time Policies” was created. Following this international momentum, in February 2022, Barcelona has been elected the first World Capital of Time Policies by the Network’s General Assembly.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CAPITAL
- Generate public awareness through awareness and communication campaigns.
- Promote the visibility and sustainability of the Network of Local and Regional Governments for Time Policies, acting as ambassador of the Network in different existing forums around the world.
- Organise and actively participate in international events such as the Time Use Week in October 2022.
- Promote and consolidate innovative time policies in Barcelona City Council and promote the Action Plan of the Barcelona Declaration on Time Policies (2022-2023).
INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION
Barcelona participates actively with Catalan institutions in the promotion of international agreements and events such as:
- Signing of the Barcelona Declaration on Time Policies where the Right to Time is recognised as a citizenship right. The declaration was signed in Barcelona in October 2021 by more than 100 international organisations. This declaration, a pioneer in its field, established commitments to advance towards the right to time, through the implementation of public policies and private initiatives around the world.
- International Research Association on the Use of Time (IATUR) Congress.
- Reactivation and expansion of the Network of Local and Regional Governments for Time Policies, where Barcelona is a member of the Executive Committee.
- Consolidation of Time Use Week as the main international event on time policies where Barcelona presents experiences and creates spaces for collaboration with other cities and organisations.
EVENTS AND DAYS TO PROMOTE THE CAPITAL STATUS
- 5 April 2022: Official presentation event of Barcelona as World Capital of Time Policies.
- 1 June 2022: Time policies in the local world: experiences, challenges and opportunities. First event of exchange of time policies with other cities in Spain: Beasain, Bilbao, Vila-real, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, the Catalan Association of Municipalities and the Federation of Municipalities of Catalonia.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Barcelona is preparing a programme of events that will take place throughout the Capital 2022 – 2033 period, designed to promote changes in social organisation that improve the time management needs of daily life and find solutions to improve quality of life.
- First Iberoamerican Time and Time Week: Online, 19-23 September 2022
- Time Use Week: Barcelona, 24-29 October 2022
- General Assembly of the Network of Local and Regional Governments for Time Policies: Barcelona, 25 October 2022