Conference overview

CLGC 2007 – delivering development through local leadership

As well as delivering key services, local councils also provide strategic leadership for their communities. This community leadership role is increasingly recognised not only in promoting the well-being of citizens, but in tackling global issues such as disaster management, meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), global warming and poverty.

The theme of the 2007 Commonwealth Local Government Conference is delivering development through local leadership. It will look at issues such as:

What is local leadership?
How strategic local leadership can create strong thriving communities and tackle poverty, crime, HIV/AIDs and other issues.
Local government’s leadership role in development and meeting the MDGs.
Local government, conflict resolution and disaster management.

Hosted by the Government of New Zealand at the prestigious Aotea Centre in Auckland, participants will be able to see first-hand some of the recent innovations in community leadership in New Zealand and learn from case studies from across of the Commonwealth.

This is the fourth Commonwealth Local Government Conference and follows highly successful events in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2005 and Tshwane, South Africa in 2003. The outcomes of these conferences have been endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Governments and are helping central governments and local governments to strengthen their democratic processes and to deliver better services.

The conference offers:

a unique opportunity for local government leaders, ministers, senior officials and practitioners to meet, exchange ideas and learn about good practice
a range of plenary sessions, breakaway groups and study visits to look at policies and practices around how the council can provide local leadership to deliver a better quality of life for citizens
an opportunity to learn about good practice and innovations in other countries and councils
study visits to New Zealand councils to see how the local government reforms are changing the way that councils plan for the future
a full programme of social events
a conference exhibition showcasing products, partnerships and innovations
opportunities for add-on visits to local councils to shadow their work and have a more detailed look at approaches to specific services.