Season’s Greetings from Carl Wright and all at CLGF

Commonwealth local government leaders meet in London

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) has stated that local government must be part of the solution to address the global economic downturn and issues of international development. This was one of the key issues discussed by senior leaders from Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean representing the CLGF’s Policy and Resources Committee who met in London, 29 November – 1 December to review the work of the CLGF. Read more

GPS *news*: India/South Africa

Thiruvananthapuram: A six-member team from South Africa is on a tour of the district panchayat to study the agricultural and animal husbandry sector, as part of a good practices exchange programme, being sponsored by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum. More

GPS *news*: Ghana

The Minister of Local Government, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, has reiterated his government’s commitment to adequately resource and improve upon the country’s decentralisation process. Such a move, he said, would enable the process to move from a physical development structure to a local economic development structure. Mr Chireh said this when CLGF Project Officer, Ms. Rachael Duchnowski, paid him a courtesy call on him in Accra. More

Changing libraries, changing lives: Practitioner Project

In 2010 CLGF asked Jill Best, Manager: Libraries at Tauranga City Council, New Zealand to provide a strategic plan for the Honiara Public Library as part of its programme of support to Honiara City Council in the Solomon Islands. She spent a week onsite in November, undertaking resource assessment, training needs assessment, and providing practical training and encouragement for the library staff. The RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) delivered a shipment of 800 books from New Zealand libraries. The focus of the exchange is on improving the library to enhance learning. Short-term improvements will include children’s literacy programmes, and using internet for reliable information to supplement the limited bookstock.  Jill sees CLGF’s support of such practitioner visits as a cost-effective way of providing specialist advice, especially if a long-term relationship can be built up.

Interview with CLGF Secretary-General Carl Wright on 7 News Belize

Interviewed by Shane Williams of the Belize Guardian, Carl Wright, Secretary-General, CLGF said on the role of CLGF: "To strengthen local democracy and good governance at local government level which includes better provision of services to the community and our members which are the local governments and ministries of local governments, all the one which we try to empower to provide better services to the local community." Read full interview

Women in Local Government Pacific website is now live

The Women in Local Government Pacific website is a networking site for Pacific Women in Local Government to exchange experiences, perspectives and ideas on ways in which local government can promote women’s voices, address women’s needs and provide opportunities for women’s political representation alongside men in consultation processes, governance policies and service delivery. The website titled 'Space on The Mat' for the symbolism the mat has in the Pacific as a decision-making space, will help Pacific Women in Local Government to exchange experiences, perspectives and ideas on ways in which local government can promote women’s voices, address women’s needs and provide opportunities for women’s political representation alongside men in consultation processes, governance policies and service delivery. Visit site: http://wilgpacific.org/

UK: New Localism Bill published A Localism Bill to shift power from central government to individuals, communities and councils has been presented in parliament. The government says that the bill will help people take charge of their lives and will push power downwards and outwards to the lowest possible level, including individuals, neighbourhoods, professionals and communities as well as local councils and other local institutions. More

New Zealand: Local Government Law Reform Passes: The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill was given assent at the end of November 2010. The Bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and financial management in local government in New Zealand. More

Malawi: Elections still on The Malawi Electoral Support Network [MESN] has said it is confident that next April’s Local Government Elections will take place despite the suspension of the Electoral Commission. More

Australia: discussion paper on urban policy ALGA President Cllr Genia McCaffery has welcomed the federal government of Australia’s discussion paper on national urban policy: Our Cities - building a productive, sustainable and liveable future. “The National Urban Policy Discussion Paper released by the Federal Government last week is a useful document which canvasses many of the problems faced by Australia's cities and draws together much of the work being done by all three levels of government across many related areas.” she said. More

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Events

Expression of interest now open for the CLGC2011 - two-day Commonwealth Local Government Young Professionals Forum

The Commonwealth Local Government Young Professionals Forum will take place immediately before the main Commonwealth Local Government Conference at City Hall, Cardiff. The forum will bring together young mayors and councillors, professionals and entrepreneurs working with local government or local enterprise across the Commonwealth. Following the forum, there may be an opportunity to attend the main Commonwealth Local Government Conference on Energising local economies: partnerships for prosperous communities. This is a nomination and invitation only event.  
The deadline for application for selection and bursaries is 21st January 2011.  Successful bursary applicants will be notified by 4th February.

Date: 13-15 March 2011
Info: Cecillia Makonyola, CLGF
cecillia.makonyola@clgf.org.uk /
www.clgc2011.org/ypforum

Conference 2011

Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2011 update, Register online now

 

We are pleased to announce that the early bird booking discount of 20 per cent has been extended until 31 December 2010. .
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