Sister Cities has been a vital part of Darwin City Council for 25 years, and Darwin is hosting the annual Australian Sister Cities Association Conference at the Darwin Entertainment Centre from Sunday 30 September to Wednesday 3 October 2007.
This will be the third time that Darwin has hosted the ASCA Conference, which was also held in Darwin in 1990 and 1999.
The theme for the 2007 Conference is “Making the Connection” with a special focus on our connections with Asia, developing innovative funding strategies for Sister Cities projects and building positive Sister Cities relationships for maximum community benefit.
Young people are an important part of the Sister Cities movement and a Youth Program, to be run concurrently with the main Conference, is being developed by the Youth Services Project Officer in collaboration with the Darwin City Council Youth Advisory Group. The theme of the Youth Program is to “Tune In” to your world.
The Conference opening keynote address (day two) will focus on the importance of Sister Cities links for Timor-Leste as the world’s newest nation, ask is it time for a different ‘Coalition of the Willing’ – can Sister Cities have a role in combating the terrors of global conflict? and the role of the United Nations in the International Sister Cities movement.
The keynote address on day three will consider, “Time for a Climate Change in sustaining International Connections – a role for Sister Cities”.
These will be followed by workshops on both days and the opportunity to take half day tours around Darwin with accompanying partners on day three.
The arts and culture tour will take in the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT, historic Fannie Bay Gaol and Larrakia Nation.
The business and economic development tour the Ghan, new Darwin City Waterfront Development and the Liquified Natural Gas project.
For those who are interested in history a tour will visit the Aviation Heritage Centre, the WWII oil tunnels and East Point Military Museum.
For a walk on the wild side take the tour to either the Territory Wildlife Park or Crocodylus Park for a date with a croc.
The Youth program will held at both the Darwin Entertainment Centre and Charles Darwin University.
The program will include a cross cultural session, the role of young people in the Sister Cities movement and ask is the United Nations relevant for young people and how can young people contribute and be involved. There will also be a series of creative sessions plus social activities.
Speakers already confirmed for the main conference include:
- Abdullah Saleh Mbamba, Director, United Nations Information Centre for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
- Dr Keith Suter, Foreign Affairs Editor, “Sunrise” (Channel 7), Member of the Club of Rome and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Elliot Arthur McAdam, Minister for Local Government and Housing, NT Government.
More information and registration details can be found at www.darwin.nt.gov.au/asca2007.htm
