Marking a Victorian first, the state’s inaugural sister-cities forum was held on Wednesday 18 July, in a gathering designed to pay tribute to the concept of sister-cities and showcase the multiple benefits these relationships generate.
One hundred and twenty delegates participated at the event, which took place at Queen’s Hall in Parliament House, including consul-generals from over 20 countries, MPs, mayors, councillors, federal and state representatives, as well as interstate guests.
The forum’s program included presentations from distinguished speakers, and case studies from Victorian councils of successful relationships in various models of collaborations, such as between schools and communities, as well as the launching of a new report.
Among the council representatives was Cr Mary Lalios, president of the Municipal Association of Victoria, who chaired a Q&A session discussing relationships within Victoria.
Attendees were welcomed by Bruce Atkinson MLC, president of the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament, while Bill Wilson, president of Sister Cities Australia also made an introduction.
In her introductory remarks, Christina Despoteris, executive member of Sister Cities Australia who coordinated the forum, said:
“I believe this forum will go a long way in initiating discussion, at all levels, which will hopefully make people aware of the important benefits which sister-city relationships bring.”
Ms Despoteris, who was also the MC of the event, referred to the diversity of those benefits, ranging from cultural assets and economic gains to improving international relations.
Other speakers included Dr Hass Dellal AO, executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, and Dr Vasilis Sarafidis, Associate Professor of Econometrics at Monash University, whose presentation analysed the value of sister-city relationships within the age of urbanisation and Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, who spoke about the diversity of those relationships and associated challenges.
Alphington Grammar Principal Dr Viviane Nikou contributed in the discussion using the example of the Global Gateways Program, which she implemented at the school in 2013, that helped nurture a sense of responsibility among student participants and encouraged them to see themselves as global citizens.
Thanking all the speakers and delegates for attending, Ms Despoteris stressed the importance of the event in paving the way for further “discussion and debate about the future of sister-city relationships.”
