The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has announced that Darebin City councillor Bo Li has been awarded the McArthur Local Government Fellowship.
The $12,000 fellowship will fund Cr Li’s research study tour to investigate the role local government can play in addressing the social determinants of health to improve the wellbeing outcomes of residents.
The McArthur Local Government Fellowship is sponsored by McArthur Management Services and is awarded to a Victorian councillor to undertake an overseas study tour on a matter of relevance to local government.
This year the judging panel considered eleven applications from councillors.
MAV President, Coucillor Bill McArthur said it was anticipated that Cr Li would travel to the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Singapore over four weeks in September to complete the research.
“This is a great opportunity for Cr Li to learn more about the social factors of health to benefit communities. His findings will no doubt be useful to councils across Victoria.
“As outlined in his fellowship application Cr Li aims to identify best practice models in councils that are tackling social disadvantage using a whole-of-council approach in their programs and initiatives.
“Cr Li also aims to visit a number of municipalities in the ‘European Healthy Cities Network’, to help him achieve long-term outcomes in addressing the social determinants of health at local levels.
“We know there are many councils whose residents are experiencing some form of social disadvantage, so it’s pleasing to see Cr Li’s efforts to change that.
“We congratulate Cr Li and look forward to the results.”
Cr Li’s research findings will be shared with councils at the MAV Annual Conference in October.
