ICMA to Present Eco-Friendly Urbanization Summit in China

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, is partnering with the city of Yangzhou, China, and the ICMA China Center to present the first ICMA International Regional Summit, May 11-15, 2014, in Yangzhou. The summit, "Eco-Friendly Urbanization," will focus on the challenges of sustainable development in a rapidly urbanizing world—challenges facing China, the United States, and many other countries.

The summit brings together individuals from 10 countries for presentations, panel discussions, site visits, and keynote sessions highlighting international perspectives, management issues, and approaches for incorporating sustainable development priorities into local government strategies.

On Monday, May 12, ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O'Neill, Jr., will deliver a keynote address on urbanization in the United States and best practices in sustainable development, based on research conducted by ICMA's Center for Sustainable Communities.

The summit will convene in conjunction with a meeting of ICMA's International Committee. Committee Chair Clay Pearson, city manager, Pearland, Texas, will also deliver a keynote address on Monday, May 12.

Participants will share highlights of the summit in the International Dispatches blog hosted by ICMA on the local government Knowledge Network.

ICMA Activities in China
In 2011, ICMA and the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) jointly created the ICMA China Center. The mission of the Center is to improve the quality of city management in China by providing information and services to Chinese city officials. Current and future offerings include conferences, training, study tours, and a guest lecturer program.

ICMA, with support from the China Center, has been approved as an official training partner of the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA), which means that ICMA is certified to provide training and capacity building for Chinese local government officials. SAFEA is the key agency to approve training programs for Chinese local governments.

ICMA also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Academy for Mayors in China (NAMC) to enhance the Center's training offerings. NAMC is the leading agency providing regular training opportunities to local government officials in China.

U.S.-China EcoPartnerships 
The ICMA China Center is one of 24 partnerships accepted into the prestigious, competitive EcoPartnerships program of the U.S. Department of State. EcoPartnerships are cooperative relationships between Chinese and U.S. entities that work jointly to promote economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability.

At the summit, four U.S. cities will formalize EcoPartnerships with Chinese towns. The partners will have opportunities to interact, exchange best practices, and work together to create locally focused solutions to environmental concerns related to urbanization and sustainable development.

About ICMA
ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government. Our mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and advancing professional management to create sustainable communities that improve lives worldwide.

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SOURCE ICMA