Tri-Nation Forum To Discuss ‘Evolution Of Local Government’

Sydney, Australia – 2 December 2002 – High-profile presenters from New Zealand, Australia and Japan will speak on topics related to the ‘Form, Function and Funding – Evolution of Local Government’, at the upcoming 2002 CLAIR FORUM on Friday 6th December, 2002.

Held in Wellington for the first time in collaboration with Local Government New Zealand, the 2002 CLAIR FORUM will allow delegates to hear first-hand from academic experts and government practitioners from all three countries, as well as offering excellent networking opportunities.

Experts to speak at the 2002 CLAIR FORUM include: (From NEW ZEALAND) Former Prime-Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer Dr Bill Ryan, Programme Director, Master of Public Management, Victoria University Dr Roger Blakeley, Chief Executive of Porirua City (From AUSTRALIA) Professor Graham Sansom, Director of UTS Centre for Local Government Jon Edwards, CEO of Frankston City Council from Australia (From JAPAN) Professor Shunichi Furukawa of Tsukuba University Toshifumi Akimoto, President of the Japan Academy for Municipal Personnel Keisuke Tsukada, Director-General of the Japan Local Government Centre

TRI-NATION FORUM on ‘EVOLUTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT’ (Page 2) CLAIR, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, was established in Japan in 1988 as a joint organisation of local authorities to promote and provide support for local level internationalisation in Japan. Its activities include: Promotion of international exchange and cooperation projects Strengthening of networks between local international exchange associations Cultivation of human resources for local internationalization.

CLAIR Sydney was established in 1994 to liaise between regional and local authorities in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. CLAIR Sydney is involved in sister city affiliations, assistance of visiting Japanese government officials, research and planning and coordination of the CLAIR FORUM.

‘I highly recommend the 2002 CLAIR FORUM to all involved in local government, and to all people interested in the future of their local government and their community.’ commented Keisuke Tsukada, Director-General of the Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR Sydney).

Further information can be obtained from the Japan Local Government Centre website at http://www.jlgc.org.au/Forum/home_eng.htm

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