The Commonwealth Local Government Forum conference, supported by the Australian Local Government Association and the National Office of Local Government, will be held on the 3-5 October 2001 at the Holiday Inn, Brisbane. The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) was founded in 1995, as a focus for action on local democracy in the Commonwealth and was endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in New Zealand that year.
CLGF works with Commonwealth countries to promote and strengthen democratic Local Government and good governance. The Forum also encourages the exchange of best practice, through conferences and events, its Good Practice Scheme, as well as research and information on innovation.
CLGF has more than 160 members in 40 Commonwealth countries, including national and state Local Government associations, individual local authorities, and state ministries with responsibility for Local Government.
This three day conference will showcase some of the innovative international work supported by CLGF and highlight the benefits of Councils working together at an international level.
No local Council is an island if it is to successfully meet the challenges of change, local needs, national requirements and global influences and competition. Partnership working with other Councils and with other spheres of government is key to developing and sharing best practice.
Speakers at the conference include the following.
- Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, His Excellency, K Srinivasan
- Mayors from across the Commonwealth
- Ministers from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
CLGF Acting Chair, Len Duvall, Greater London Authority, OBE, said that Councils in both developed and developing nations of the Commonwealth benefit hugely from working together to promote democracy and sharing innovative and good practice.
“This is a unique opportunity,” he said. “Our forum brings together Mayors, Council leaders, Ministers of Local Government, national and regional Local Government associations, academics and others with an interest in Local Government. Local Government is the cornerstone of democracy. We will be promoting to Heads of Government the vital role that Local Government plays in developing democracy and improving the quality of life.”
The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting takes place in Brisbane immediately after the CLGF conference. For further information contact Ian Chalmers at ALGA, telephone (02) 6281 1211.
