An Inspiring Forum in Brussels!
The air in Brussels was electric as the Serve the City network gathered for the International Forum 2025. This year’s event was more than just our annual meeting; it was a vibrant, global celebration of 20 years of kindness and a powerful launchpad for our shared future, all under the theme of “Together for Tomorrow.”
City leaders, project coordinators, and passionate volunteers from 61 cities—from Nairobi to Bangkok, and Virginia to Australia—came together, united by the single mission of practical service in their local communities.
Leadership, Learning, and Global Connection:
The Forum kicked off with a heartwarming welcome dinner that immediately fostered the community spirit Serve the City is known for. The core of the conference was dedicated to deep learning and exchange.
The inspiring keynote, “Leadership Unfolded: Together for Tomorrow,” was delivered by authors Brian and Linda Schubring. Their session challenged us to embrace empathy, humility, and self-awareness in our leadership, a crucial reminder that to better serve our communities, we must first “unfold” ourselves.
Interactive workshops throughout the day provided our Luxembourg team with invaluable, practical insights, covering topics such as:
- Innovative project ideas and CSR collaboration.
- Effective strategies for volunteer appreciation and community engagement.
- Data-driven fundraising strategies and partnerships.
These discussions were truly enriching, providing our local team with concrete, actionable ideas to strengthen our Luxembourg projects and elevate the volunteer experience.
Celebrating a Legacy of Impact:
A major highlight was the Serve the City Community & Partners Dinner, a beautiful moment to celebrate two decades of collective impact. We were honored to be joined by dedicated partners, including the UPS Foundation, Toyota Foundation, and the European Commission, a testament to the power of collaboration.
Saturday’s plenary session, “20 Years of Serving the Cities,” was an emotional journey, featuring powerful, heartfelt stories from around the globe. These were powerful reminders of how small, consistent acts of service truly transform individuals and communities. The Forum also looked ahead, with a strategic session exploring how AI tools can enhance our visibility, coordination, and communication across the global network.
The Scale of Serve the City International
As of this year, the Serve the City network proudly celebrates:
- 61 cities worldwide
- 64,978 dedicated volunteers
- Over 2.4 million direct beneficiaries
A Vision for the Next Chapter in Luxembourg:
The weekend culminated in a joyful, city-wide community celebration in Brussels—a truly fitting embodiment of the spirit of kindness and joy we strive to bring to our own city.
The global vision is ambitious: aiming for one million volunteers worldwide by 2030 to build connected, sustainable cities. For our team, the Forum has ignited a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
As I shared upon returning: “I am returning from Brussels to Luxembourg with an inspired heart and lots of new ideas that I cannot wait to contribute to implement in Luxembourg. We are ready for the next chapter in Serve the City Luxembourg, and what a growing time we have ahead of us!”
We are eager to translate this global momentum into concrete local action, creating even more impactful projects and building a stronger volunteer community right here in Luxembourg. Stay tuned for exciting developments!
