CityNet e-Newsletter May, 2017

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Mayor Park invites all CityNet members to the 2017 Congress

During his visit to the CityNet Secretariat on 17 May, Mayor Park Won-soon expressed his full support for the 2017 CityNet Congress that will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 5-8 November. Taking the theme of "Our City, Our Future: Sharing Local Solutions for Sustainable Development", the 2017 CityNet Congress will give a unique opportunity to voice your cities' challenges and solutions as well as network and form partnerships with other CityNet members, partners, and business leaders. This year's congress will also mark the network's 30^th anniversary where all members and partners could reflect on our journey together and to work collectively on finding the answer to the future urban challenges. Register online by 14 July 2017.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

CityNet 2016 Annual Report is released

CityNet Annual Report 2016 that captures CityNet's major activities throughout the year 2016 has been released. A series of CityNet projects and programs conducted last year have enriched the network's activities including 26 international and localised workshops, tailored city-to-city cooperations, and international forums on the SDGs. You can read more about the program highlights on our website.

NETWORK NEWS

Submit this survey to voice your urban challenges

The CityNet Secretariat is developing the Medium Term Plan for 2018-2021 to review the network's past work and establish a vision for the future. This Plan will be carried out using the input of members through the survey. Please take few minutes to complete this survey to help us understand your needs and expectations and provide any further details that will assist us to meet your objectives. This survey questionnaire may take 15-20 minutes of your time and may also be dependent on the respondent's pace.

CityNet joins regional dialogue series in the New Urban Agenda

CityNet Special Advisor Mary Jane Ortega presented some of the innovative ideas on service delivery they have supported in cities across Asia as part of the Asia Foundation's 'Asian Approaches to Development Cooperation' dialogue series on May 11-12 in Manila, under the theme "The Role of Development and South South Cooperation in Implementing the New Urban Agenda".

Seoul Waterworks Workshop for Vietnamese Cities

15 city officials from Vietnamese cities participated in the 2017 Seoul Waterworks workshop from April 23-29. The workshop was organized by the Office of Waterworks Seoul Metropolitan Government and CityNet Secretariat. Through the City Report, SWOT and PDM, participants shared Vietnamese cities' current challenges and potential solutions.

Experience Korea's firefighting tactics

CityNet Secretariat and Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster headquarters (SMFDH) held Fire Station Field Experience attended by four participants from the Philippines on April 17-22. This program provided practical on-site experience such as observing lifesaving services at Han-river area. Participants also attended 2017 Safe Seoul Festival which aimed at early safety education for the citizen and providing chance to try firefighting simulation. Participants also had a chance to visit booths and experience several events.

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Social Economy Academy for International Development

Korean NGOs and CityNet jointly organized the Social Economy Academy for International Development on April 4-May 27. The professional education program funded by KOICA aims to strengthening capacity for designing international development project on social economy and SDGs. At the 4^th session CityNet program officer Jaehyun Park introduced the Urban SDGs Platform and CityNet's key roles in sustainable development.



LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY GETS INSIGHT INTO CITYNET ACTIVITIES CityNet delivered a lecture on sustainable development to 26 students from Loyola Marymount University supported by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on 24 May. It is a not-for-profit U.S. based international educational organization founded in 1947. CityNet Senior Program Officer Sayel Cortes and Program Officer Felix Kalkowsky shared CityNet's role in helping local governments improve the sustainability of human settlements in the Asia Pacific region.

SUSA and SMG visit CityNet Members in Metro Manila

Seoul Urban Solutions Agency (SUSA) and Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) visited three CityNet members in the Metro Manila on 9 May 2017. SUSA is an arm of the SMG with a mandate to share Seoul's urban development experience and solutions to foreign cities. SUSA presented its key programs on information communications technology (ICT), housing, and transportation among others.

CITYNET YOKOHAMA PROJECT OFFICE

Invitation to the 10^th CITYNET Disaster Cluster Seminar

CITYNET Yokohama Project office is pleased to announce the dates for the 10^th CITYNET Disaster Cluster Seminar to be held in Yokohama from August 31 – September 4, 2017. The seminar will be for the disaster managers in the city governments and will focus on the main DRR topics including prevention, mitigation, disaster education, and response.

Mahidol University hosts stakeholder's meeting to develop project proposal

Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus organized a local stakeholders' meeting to discuss strengthening of disaster risk reduction activities in the area. Historically Kanchanaburi has not been affected by large scale disasters, however recent growth in population and businesses may further complicate matters if the local population are unaware of the disaster risks.

Community based solid waste management project progresses through HELP-O and PIEDAR

CITYNET Yokohama Project Office funded community initiatives on solid waste management through PIEDAR and HELP-O. Through PIEDAR School children were encouraged to link global issues to local environmental challenges, whereas HELP-O decided to introduce a garbage separation project by producing 'handy-bags', which are sewn by women residents in exchange for 50 rupees per bag.

ADB 50^th Anniversary concludes in Yokohama with critical roles of youth for the future of Asia

As a part of the 50^th Anniversary of the Asian Development Bank, a session was organized to highlight the roles of youth in proposing new ideas to the financial sector to further enhance economic development in Asia. The session participated by the students of Yokohama City University and Yokohama National University. The group discussion conducted during the seminar came up with recommendations for the ADB for further strengthening public-private partnerships and investment from the financial sector.

CITYNET Colombo Congress preparations underway

Citynet Secretariat and CITYNET Yokohama Project Office has commenced preparations for CITYNET Colombo Congress with particular emphasis on the General Council. needs. Staff members from both offices look forward to meeting all members in Colombo. The two offices meet annually to discuss CITYNET programs and activities to address member.

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