International Conference RESILIENT CITIES: PARTNERSHIP COOPERATION IN TIMES OF WAR AND CRISIS, 20-21 October 2026

Today’s cities are increasingly confronted with challenges arising from armed conflicts, migration crises, threats to information security, human rights violations, and the need to protect cultural heritage. In a rapidly changing international environment, social resilience, the ability to respond effectively to crises, and cooperation based on mutual trust and partnership are becoming ever more important. 

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The experience of recent years has shown that cities play a particularly important role in responding to crises, organising humanitarian assistance, supporting social integration, and countering disinformation. At the same time, city partnerships and local government diplomacy are gaining significance as effective mechanisms for the exchange of knowledge, mutual support, and the implementation of joint initiatives across national borders. 
 

The international conference “Resilient Cities: Partnership Cooperation in Times of War and Crisis” will provide a platform for the exchange of experiences, the presentation of good practices, and discussions on how cities can respond to contemporary crises while strengthening the adaptive capacity of local communities.

The event will bring together representatives of public administration, academia, diplomacy, and international organizations to jointly explore solutions that contribute to building safe and resilient local communities.

The conference will focus in particular on the following topics:

• city resilience in times of war and migration crises;
• partnership cooperation and mutual support among local governments;
• propaganda and disinformation as challenges for democratic societies;
• human rights in times of war and crisis;
• public and local government diplomacy;
• the role of women in public, local government and international diplomacy;
• youth engagement in intercultural dialogue;
• the protection of cultural heritage and UNESCO values;
• culinary diplomacy as a tool for building understanding between communities.

Day I | 20 October 2026

Exhibition

• Resilient Cities – Resilient Universities

Panel Discussion

• Cities in Times of War and Migration Crises: Partnership, Cooperation and Mutual Support

Panel Discussion

• Propaganda and Disinformation as a Tool of the Aggressor State. How to Recognise and Counteract It?

Expert Discussion

• Human Rights in Times of War and Crisis. Experience, Reflections and Preparedness

Day II | 21 October 2026

Exhibition

• The Woman Who Told the World About Independent Poland

Panel Discussion

• Women in Official, Public and Local Government Diplomacy. Challenges and Experiences

Panel Discussion

• Young Ambassadors. Culture, Heritage and Intellectual Exchanges

Expert Discussion

• Discover a City Through Taste. The Secrets of Culinary Diplomacy

FULL PROGRAMM HERE

Participants

Representatives of public administration, diplomacy, local governments, international institutions, academia, non-governmental organisations, as well as experts and practitioners engaged in international cooperation, social resilience, and the development of city partnerships are invited to participate in the conference.

Participants will include representatives of Poland as well as countries of Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, and the South Caucasus, representing a broad range of academic, expert, and institutional communities. A particularly strong representation is expected from Ukrainian local government, academic, and expert circles.

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Toruń, the city of Nicolaus Copernicus and one of the best-preserved medieval urban complexes in Europe, has for centuries combined a strong local identity with openness to the wider world. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town reflects the city’s long-standing connections with European culture, scholarship, and trade, which have shaped its international character over the centuries.

Today, Toruń remains an important academic and local government centre, actively involved in national and international partnership initiatives. It is therefore no coincidence that this city serves as the setting for a debate on urban resilience, cross-border cooperation, and the strengthening of solidarity in times of uncertainty. Its rich historical heritage, local government experience, and strong academic environment create a unique space for dialogue on the challenges facing European local communities and their role in building a safe and resilient future.

The conference is hosted by the City of Toruń and WSB Merito University in Toruń.

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WSB Merito University in Toruń is one of the largest private universities in northern Poland, providing higher education since 1998. The university is part of the WSB Merito Universities network, trusted by more than 600,000 students and graduates. In the 2025 Perspektywy Higher Education Ranking, it was recognized as the leading private university in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region.

The university combines education, research, and expert engagement, with a strong focus on practical learning and close cooperation with the business and public sectors. As a university, it holds the right to award doctoral and postdoctoral degrees in selected academic disciplines.

Today, WSB Merito University in Toruń is an international academic community actively involved in research, social initiatives, and economic development projects. Hosting the RESILIENT CITIES: Partnership Cooperation in Times of War and Crisis conference reflects the university’s mission to foster dialogue, strengthen international cooperation, and provide knowledge that responds to contemporary social and economic challenges.