28 February 2000

City To Host International Forum On Tomorrow’s Cities

A new partnership between central and local government will be outlined by the Deputy Prime Minister, Jim Anderton, at a Christchurch international gathering in March.

He will address the International Cities of Tomorrow Forum to be held in Christchurch on March 9-10.

He will be among the key speakers at the forum that will be held at the Copthorne Durham Conference Centre. Others will include Christchurch’s Mayor, Garry Moore, the Vice-President of Cities of Tomorrow, Bertelsmann Foundation, Dr Marga Prohl, and the Christchurch City Manager, Mike Richardson.

The Cities of Tomorrow was started in 1995 by the German Bertelsmann Foundation and its members are ten cities and districts in Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan and Christchurch.

These ten are among the world’s most efficient local government with goals of international exchange of experiences, the transfer of know-how, and mutual learning.

The cities of the "international network for better local government" see themselves as national and international mediators in the reform process of local government.

For many years the Bertelsmann Foundation has been carrying out projects for the reform of local government. In 1993 Christchurch and Phoenix, United States, were voted the world’s best-managed local governments.

Many of New Zealand Mayors will be attending along with Government heads.

Other speakers will include those from Germany, Finland, and England.

One of the organisers, Lyn Campbell, the children’s advocate with the Christchurch City Council, says it expected that the two-day forum will bring together key New Zealand local authorities to share and advance best practices, and to establish and strengthen networks for shared learning and transference of skills.

She also says that it is hoped that the forum will enhance capabilities in building community relations and community consultation.

Further information: Lyn Campbell: 371 8890.