The Europe Challenge 2024: If Librarians Ran Europe – The Amsterdam Summit 

Event: If Librarians Ran Europe – The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge
Date: 26 September 2024
Location: OBA Public Library, Amsterdam

The transformative power of libraries will take centre stage at If Librarians Ran Europe – The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge. This landmark summit will bring together participants from all over Europe, including library professionals, policymakers, and community leaders, to explore how libraries can address Europe’s most pressing challenges—social isolation, inequality, disinformation, and climate crisis.

As libraries undergo a cultural renaissance across Europe, The Europe Challenge, launched in 2020, has emerged as a driving force behind this evolution. With support from our partners, the initiative empowers libraries to lead community-driven change. This year, 128 applications were received, and 57 teams from 24 countries were selected to develop solutions for democratic participation, social inclusion, and environmental well-being.

A key highlight of the summit will be the launch of the publication How Libraries Survive Thrive – A Guide for Librarians… and Everyone Else in Europe!, which showcases libraries’ transformative impact. The publication features conversations with #BookTok star Jack Edwards, renowned library architect Francine Houben, American sociologist and Palaces for the People author Eric Klinenberg, and many others.

In addition, we reveal the six winning entries from the How A Library Changed My Life writing competition, which attracted nearly 300 submissions from across Europe and beyond. These stories, selected through a rigorous process by an independent panel from the European Review of Books and members of The Europe Challenge team, represent a diverse geographical spread, including winners (from left to right):

• Camilla Macpherson from the Netherlands/United Kingdom;
• Abdallah Alghoul from Palestine/Greece;
• Sheryl Man Wai Sze from Hong Kong /United Kingdom;
• Luis Eduardo Torres Sánchez from Mexico/Greece;
• Svitlana Rykychynska from Ukraine/United Kingdom;
• Louise Scollay from Scotland.

The summit’s programme is designed to inspire and provoke thought, featuring inspirational dialogues on themes like democracy, climate, mental health, and library policy. Thought leaders will challenge attendees to envision libraries leading Europe’s democratic renewal. We are excited to already announce the following notable speakers (from left to right):

• Mikaela Loach, bestselling author and climate justice activist;
• Catarina Vaz Pinto, arts & culture consultant and former Deputy Mayor for Culture in Lisbon;
• Khalid Albaih, political cartoonist and founder of Sudan Art & Design Library;
• Luke Burton, Director of Libraries at Arts Council England;
• Lwando Xaso, lawyer, writer, facilitator and founder of Including Society.

In addition to these dialogues, the summit will offer a Living Libraries Marketplace where participants can engage directly with the innovative initiatives developed by the 57 Europe Challenge teams.

Want to join?

The event is free to attend but by invitation only. To request an invitation, please email theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu.

If Librarians Ran Europe – The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge – is organised by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with OBA Public Libraries Amsterdam and Municipality of Amsterdam.

The Europe Challenge is initiated by the European Cultural Foundation and supported by Fondazione Cariplo, the Scottish Library and Information Council, public funding through Arts Council England, and Deutsche Postcode Lotterie via Deutsche Bibliotheksverband. The delivery partners for this 2024 edition are Including Society, Changency,DOKK1 Aarhus Public Libraries, Public Libraries 2030, and OBA Public Libraries Amsterdam.