Agenda item

The Commissioner for Resilience submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       In January, members approved Belfast’s membership of the International Urban Cooperation (IUC) programme for sustainable urban development as part of its global 100 Resilient Cites work. 

1.2       Membership of the programme provides Belfast with an opportunity to co-operate with other cities to solve common problems.  Partnerships are established based on mutual size, common challenges and interests.  Earlier this month, New York and Barcelona were partnered to focus on sustainable urban development.  Manchester has been partnered with Montreal in Canada to focus on smart cities, economic growth and social inclusion.    Belfast has been accepted onto the programme, to partner with Santiago de Cali + Medellín, to focus on post-conflict urban development.  All three cities face similar challenges in ensuring that all residents benefit from economic growth in their respective cities, and the programme also provides an opportunity to share knowledge and learning of building connections across communities. 

1.3       Belfast’s membership will build on the existing links that the city has with Colombia including the increasing trade links being fostered by Invest NI; and the work of the British Council in Northern Ireland, which is planning a major Belfast initiative with Colombia in 2018.

1.4       The first exchange visit has been scheduled for 22 – 27 October 2018, which will see a Belfast delegation, to include council, Invest NI and the British Council representatives, visit counterparts in Cali and Medellin, Columbia.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1 The Committee is asked to:

1.      Note the draft programme of work and outline schedule for the Belfast to Cali and Medellin visit from 22 October

2.      Approve the attendance of Chair and Deputy Chair of Committee (or their nominee) and two officers to attend this visit, accompanied by representatives from the British Council and Invest NI.

3.0       Main report

3.1       IUC membership provides financial support for an eighteen-month exchange programme at a senior level between Belfast and the Colombian cities of Cali and Medellin focusing on post-conflict urban development (on themes of social inclusion, regional / urban innovation and competitiveness; and inclusive and sustainable economic growth).

3.2       This is a substantial programme providing significant opportunities for Belfast to work alongside other cities to solve common problems.  The work encompasses three phases (1) Development Phase- understanding the problems and needs of the cities (2) Implementation Phase- Putting Together a Join Action Plan for the cities (including city exchange visits) (3) Closing Phase- seeking city wide support for implementation.

3.3       We are currently working through the ‘Development Phase’, which chiefly focuses on the problems we are trying to solve.  The overall theme that has been identified for this city-to-city cooperation is ‘Peace Process and Post Conflict Management’.  However, officers from Belfast, Cali and Medellin are undertaking ‘problem identification’ to hone in on detailed common challenges as we plan the programme.  The Commissioner for Resilience has produced a ‘Challenge Description report’, which is based on the challenges we have identified in Belfast Agenda, and this will form the basis of our city co-operation with Santiago de Cali and Medellin.

3.4       The city co-operation will require significant joint working across the three cities, and this will also include study tours, exchanges, training seminars and the development of a local action plan to drive sustainable development.

3.5       There will be two exchange visits: the first visit will be by the Belfast team visiting Colombia (Cali and Medellin) most likely in October 2018. During this first visit both delegations will start work on a joint action plan.  In early Spring 2019, the second visit will take place when representatives from Cali-Medellin will visit Belfast. 

3.6       IUC officials will work with the new Commissioner for Resilience to agree a joint programme of work with the Colombian cities.

3.7       Members should also note that this IUC programme activity forms part of the programme of work for the Commissioner in the development of the Belfast Resilience strategy.

3.8       Financial & Resource Implications

            There are no specific resource implications attached to this report.

3.9       Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

            There are no specific equality or good relations implications attached to this report.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.