26 March 2018
City Hosts Successful Sister City Forum
On Friday (23 March) Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) hosted an almost 80 -strong Forum of diplomats, local
authorities and economic development agencies from the Central North Island for the Sister Cities New Zealand Regional
Forum.
The Forum discussed how cities and regions can work together with central government and the diplomatic corps, to make
the most of international relationships and opportunities. There was also a focus on tourism, education and economic
opportunities from international partnerships
Among those attending included Ambassadors, High Commissioners and embassy staff representing a number of countries
including Argentina, Chile, China, Cuba, Fiji, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, The
Netherlands, Pakistan, The Philippines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste.
“International relations are no longer just the remit of capital cities or huge metropoles,” says PNCC Mayor Grant
Smith. “We’re increasingly seeing the rise of small cities and districts in this space, and the benefits that can come
from local government support and enablement for greater international connectivity,”
PNCC International Relations Manager Toni Grace, who coordinated the event, said the forum ran expert-led panels to
create interactive conversations. “We discussed practical ways we can all work together for greater impact, such as:
improving digital channels; preparing young people for a cross-cultural, global workforce; fostering ‘globalisation’ –
our ability to think global and act local; knowledge exchange and working effectively with New Zealand-based partners
such as Embassies, High Commissions and Central Government agencies and organisations.”
The forum was coordinated to coincide with the city’s Festival of Cultures, with many of the visiting diplomats staying
to join the Festivals of Cultures World Food Craft and Music Fair on Saturday, The week-long festival celebrates the
contributions made by the 130 different ethnic communities to Palmerston North.
Ends