The Deputy Director of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG), Melissa Gibbs, has been elected to the position of Vice President of the International Association for Local Government (IALG).
Professor Charles Menifield of the Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri, was appointed President.
Professor Peerasit Kamnuansilpa of the College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University in Thailand was returned as Secretary-General.
“This is wonderful news and a great tribute,” said ACELG Director Associate Professor Roberta Ryan.
“The appointment demonstrates the regard in which the executive of the association hold Melissa who has been involved with the organisation since its inception.
“This will further enhance linkages and exchange between Australian local government, the University of Technology, Sydney, and the international local government sector.”
Ms Gibbs presented ACELG research to IALG’s flagship forum, the 5th International Conference for Local Government (ICLG) in Palembang, Indonesia.
“The IALG is a great forum for fostering knowledge and expertise in international local government,” said Ms Gibbs.
“It provides a platform for the exchange of thought-provoking local scale work that should be shared more widely.
“As a new organisation, it has a lot of potential to grow and I’m very much looking forward to working with Professor Menifield and the Secretary-General to broaden the reach of the ICLG and to bring to life the IALG vision.”
Planning for the sixth ICLG conference in 2016 will begin shortly, with the University of Technology Sydney listed as possible host.
