For release: 15 March 2007 CLGFPR07/06
More than 600 leading experts, opinion formers and practitioners in local government from all corners of the Commonwealth will meet in Auckland, New Zealand in ten days time for the Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2007.
Heads of government, ministers with responsibility for local government, local government mayors, city leaders and councillors, private sector representatives and civil society representatives are attending the fourth Commonwealth Local Government Conference, which will take place at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, New Zealand’s city of sails, from 26-29 March.
The conference, run by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and this year hosted by the New Zealand government, will look at how local government can lead and deliver development, including achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). it will highlight recent innovations in community leadership in New Zealand and across of the Commonwealth. The discussions will help delegates to take back new ideas and developments to improve services in their own countries and councils.
Speakers at this high-profile event include
- Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand
- HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda
- Hon Edward Lowassa, Prime Minister of Tanzania
- Dr Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
- HE Rt Hon Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General, and
- Ministers for local government, mayors and other local government leaders from across the Commonwealth.
- Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University and Director of the UN Millennium Project will speak from New York by live video link.
The opening ceremony will include a powhiri, the traditional maori cultural welcome.
Issues that this conference will tackle include:
- What is meant by local leadership, and what can be done to support councils in providing local leadership for their communities
- How strategic local leadership can create strong thriving communities and tackle poverty, crime, HIV/AIDs and other issues and deliver development
- Local government’s response to global issues such as disaster management and climate change.
“As well as delivering key services, local councils also provide strategic leadership for their communities,” said CLGF Chair Hon Mayor Robert Montague.
“ This community leadership role is increasingly recognised not only in promoting the well-being of citizens, but in tackling global issues such as disaster management, meeting the Millennium Development Goals, climate change and poverty.
“This is a unique international conference that brings together leading local government policy makers and practitioners from every corner of the Commonwealth. I am looking forward to meeting all our colleagues,” he said.
Hon Mark Burton, Minister of Local Government New Zealand is hosting the conference with support from Basil Morrison, President of Local Government New Zealand.
Ends
For further information contact:
Sue Rhodes, Communications Consultant, CLGF, tel: +44 20 7389 1496, or
Carl Wright, Secretary-General, +44 20 7389 1497
Notes to editors:
2 The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), has headquarters in London and project offices in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. It is recognised by the 53 Commonwealth Heads of Government as the Commonwealth organisation for promoting local democracy and good governance.
Programme highlights
Monday 26 March 2007
16.45 OPENING CEREMONY, Aotea Centre
Powhiri (Maori cultural welcome)
CLGF – action for democratic and effective local government
Video presentation
Welcome remarks by
Mayor Robert Montague, Chairperson, CLGF
Hon Samuel Abal, Minister for Intergovernmental relations, Papua New Guinea
Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand
Welcome address
Hon Dr Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister, Malta (on behalf of Chairperson in Office of the Commonwealth, Hon Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi)
Keynote address
Delivering development through local leadership: a new Commonwealth vision
Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand ___________________________________________________________________
Tuesday 27 March 2007
9.00 PLENARY 1: LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
The opening session will look at why strong local leadership is an important tool in delivering effective local governance and development, and how local government has a role of forging partnerships to deliver on shared goals and vision.
Keynote speakers include:
Transforming Commonwealth societies through local leadership and effective governance
HE Rt Hon Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General
Decentralisation and delivering local development
Hon Edward Lowassa, Prime Minister, Tanzania
___________________________________________________________________
10.45 Opening of Exhibition
by HE Rt Hon Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General and
Gordon McKenzie, Local and Regional Government Director, Microsoft Europe Middle East and Africa
___________________________________________________________________
11.30 PLENARY 2: LOCAL LEADERSHIP DELIVERING A STRATEGIC VISION
Two concurrent plenary sessions will look at how strong local government can provide local leadership of a strategic vision for local development.
PLENARY 2A
Global efforts to promote local leadership
Guido Bertucci, Director, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
A strategic vision for delivering infrastructure and services
Louis Ranger, Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Canada
Setting a strategic vision: a challenge for elected local leaders
Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, President of United Cities and Local Government of Africa (UCLGA), and Vice-chairperson, CLGF
PLENARY 2B
A strategic vision for urban renewal
Hon Kumari Selja, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, India
Sustainable development and community leadership: partnerships among local, state and federal government.
Hon Jim Lloyd MP, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Australia
The role of local government associations in building strong communities
Lord Bruce-Lockhart, President, Local Government Association of England and Wales, UK
14.30 Breakaway group sessions
18.15 RECEPTION in the Exhibition area, ANZ foyer, Aotea Centre
____________________________________________________________
Launch of the Commonwealth Local Government Handbook 2007
The Commonwealth Local Government Handbook is a unique and highly-praised reference guide, an invaluable information source to local government throughout the Commonwealth.
________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 28 March 2007
09.00 PLENARY 3: COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN NEW ZEALAND
Local government and community leadership in New Zealand - how local government plays an important role in building and leading communities.
Presentations by:
Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Associate Minister of Local Government, New Zealand
Amohaere Houkamau, Chief Executive, Te Runanga o Ngati Porou
10.00 STUDY VISITS
- local government leadership in action in New Zealand
Keeping Auckland moving: integrated safe, responsive and sustainable transport solutions for the Auckland Region
Ngati Whatua o Orakei: relationships between local and central government and Maori
Waste Resources Trust Waiheke: partnership for zero waste
Arataki Visitors Centre: environmental education for schools and the public
Waitakere City: sustainable management of water
North Shore City: community involvement for sustainable development
Tomorrow’s Manukau: Manukau City partnerships for community outcomes
P rogress Papakura: Whaitiaki Maori Outcomes at the Papakura Marae.
Franklin Steel Mill: planning and economic development partnership .
14.00 PLENARY 4: LOCAL LEADERSHIP: WORKING WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES
How can local government work as ‘first among equals’ leading strategic partnerships including central government, private sector and NGOs to deliver better services.
Keynote address
Partnership between local government, civil society and the private sector to deliver better services
Hon Dean Peart, Minister of Local Government, Jamaica
Panel discussion
Hon Daniyal Aziz, Chairman, National Reconstruction Bureau, Pakistan
Namrata Jaitli, Participatory Research in Asia
Gord Steeves, Acting President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Private sector representative
16.00 Breakaway group sessions
Thursday 29 March 2007
9.00 PLENARY 5: LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LEADING A LOCAL RESPONSE TO ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
In most Commonwealth countries local government is responsible for the delivery – in
whole or in part - of every one of the MDGs. This session will look at how effective local government is vital to achieving the MDGs.
Guest speaker
Delivering development through local government to tackle poverty and achieve the MDGs
Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Millennium Development Project
by live video link from New York
Panel discussion, panel comprising:
Hon Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs, India
Mark Collins, Director, Commonwealth Foundation
Sadeque Hossain Khoka. Mayor of Dhaka
Hon Musikari Kombo, Minister of Local Government, Kenya
Discussion and questions
11.30 PLENARY 6: STRENGTHENING THE LEADERSHIP ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Overview of the conference discussions and issues, leading to a conference statement.
Panel discussion
Africa Mayor Shikongo, Mayor of Windhoek, Namibia
Americas Hon Alfred Gray, Minister of Local Government, Bahamas
Europe Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government), Department of Communities and Local Government, UK
Asia-Pacific Cllr Paul Bell, President, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
Associate Dr Jatin Modi, President, All India Institute of Local-Self Government and Vice President, UCLG-ASPAC
12.45 CLOSING SESSION
Keynote address
Effective local leadership at the heart of transforming Commonwealth societies
HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda and Chairperson designate of the 2007 CHOGM
Closing remarks
15.00 CLGF GENERAL MEETING (for CLGF members and invited observers)
The meeting will adopt the conference recommendations.
17.30 Publication of conference statement/recommendations
|
