14.00 Opening and keynotes
The mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema and the High Commissioner for the Human Rights Volker Türk (by video message) will set the scene for the event, stressing the importance of searching for alternative approaches to drug policy. In a subsequent video message, Ambassador of Colombia Laura Gil will speak about her experiences in the complex world of international cooperation. Keynote speaker Neil Woods will dive into the mechanisms that explain why the war on drugs is not effective.

• Steve Rolles – Host / Transform Drugs
• Femke Halsema – Mayor of Amsterdam
• Volker Türk – UN High Commissioner of the Human Rights (video message)
• Neil Woods – Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP)
• Laura Gil – Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations (video message)

15.30 Parallel sessions

Parallel Session 1
‘How to regulate substances: detailed blueprints for local level experiments’
By zooming in to the practical aspects of regulation, the debate can move from the why, to the how of regulation. As author of several ‘how to’ books, Steve Rolles has become one of the most knowledgeable advisors for governments and cities. Pieter Walinga is advisor for the mayor of Amsterdam on drug policy. Together, they host a practical workshop to design experiments at the local level with regulation of substances. Zoë Garbett and Philippe Close will reflect on their local experiences in London and Brussels, and how blueprints for experiment at the cities level can be used to change the political debate.

• Steve Rolles – Policy Expert at Transform Drugs Policy Foundation
• Pieter Walinga – Program manager Dealing With Drugs at City of Amsterdam
• Zoe Garbett – Member Assembly city of London (Greenparty)
• Philippe Close – Mayor of Brussels

Parallel Session 2
‘From call to action – International and European collaboration’
How to connect the local, the European and the international level? How to set the agenda for controlled legal regulation? What can be the role of cities and what can be the role of different UN organizations? Representatives of various organizations and networks explore how to cooperate on the topic of regulation and drug policy reform.

• Jamie Bridge – Moderator, International Drug Policy Consortium
• Lynn Ruane – Unite Parliamentarians Network (tbc)
• Allan Casey – Councillor Glasgow
• Zaved Mahmood – Advisor for the High Commissioner of the Human Rights
  
• Pavel Bem – Former Mayor of Prague, Czech Republic (tbc)

Parallel session 3
‘Building the case for legal regulation’
The quest for regulation is grounded in multiple, sometimes contradicting, arguments. Without a coherent framework, the debate often revolves around (moral and political) standing points.
A comprehensive framework can unite stakeholders from different perspectives and bring the debate beyond the ‘if’ and towards the ‘how’. Viktor Mravcik and Jana Michailidu recently succeeded in creating a surprising agreement and common ground in their parliament. They will present their ‘case for legal regulation’. Experienced drug policy advisor John-Peter Kools will interview them, trying to find out what strategy helped to surpass the usual counter positions.

• John Peter Kools – Moderator, Trimbos Institute
• Viktor Mravčík – Scientific advisor National Drug Coordinator Czech Republic
• Jana Michailidu – University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (UCT Prague)

17.00 Closing debate
Looking back at the state of the quest for regulation, looking forward to opportunities for international cooperation.

Steve Rolles (Host)
Speakers:

• Femke Halsema
• Pavel Bem (tbc)
• Lynn Ruane
• Allan Casey
• Zoe Garbett
• Philippe Close

17:45-19:00 Closing drinks
You are all welcome for networking and closing drinks, the city of Amsterdam offers the first two drinks. Location is just around the corner: Bar Studio.