IN strengthening UCLG’s position at the global level, a retreat was organized in Barcelona on 9-13 February 2015. Barcelona was chosen as the location with regards to its long-history of relationship as well as commitment to support the network. All Sections, Regions, Committees and Working Groups of UCLG, and also partners from the international agencies, private sectors and civil society organizations attended to have a consultative and brainstorming meeting in the UCLG Campus.
The Retreat was conducted for the first time since the establishment of UCLG. Looking at the promising roles of local governments in the future, UCLG as the global platform dealing with local affairs, needs to enhance its capacity to be able to represent and bring the voice of local authorities at the international level. It thus served as the basic consideration by the Secretariat to hold the event, with its main agenda to find activities for 2015, to identify shared goals and priorities and to develop a new, participatory, and networking culture.
Several issues were highlighted such as how to increase services to the members, how to build financial and organizational resilience, and also how to share knowledge. The Asia-Pacific Section, represented by the Secretary General and the Strategic Services Manager, addressed the essential needs of working together with other Regional Sections as well as Committees. Through collaboration with Committees, as said by the Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, it is expected that more tangible actions can be created leading to an increased value of network as well as its credibility. It is therefore suggested to have more inclusive agendas or programs within the Committees.
Aside from the internal discussion among Sections, Regions and UCLG Committee, dialogue with partners was conducted to update members on the agenda of international partners and facilitate the involvement of political leaders in UCLG’s global strategy. A toolkit was also introduced to identify and explore the narratives and communication strategies from partners toward positioning UCLG in the global political agenda. Furthermore, identification of strength and weakness of the network was carried out to re-set the priorities of the organization as well as to define the roles of Sections, Regions and Committees. The notion of partnership was always applied ensuring the sustainability of the network activities.
Having an intensive meeting, Josep Roig, Secretary General of UCLG claimed that it was fruitful to define UCLG strategies such as the strategies to leverage the international relation and advocacy, to increase the intelligence, cooperation and learning through research and thematic content creations based on the members’ needs, to strengthen the network by expanding collaboration and making use of technology as well as personal relationship, to develop effective tools of communication, to reinforce the statutory bodies and members and also to mobilize more resources.
“We were able to be together for the first time,” Mr. Roig said. “We have been working together for a thing that is not easy to do. (Organizing this) needs a lot of trust, a good knowledge of each other in the effort of establishing coherence in our network. Power of network is much stronger than the power of an individual. So if we are able to work together at a global level, we will be stronger at a regional and local level. “
Mr. Roig also emphasized that the retreat was a good step to make sure that everyone can communicate in a better way. Moreover it was a chance to exchange ideas and to discuss about current issues and policies. People were very interested in the gathering so Mr. Roig hopes there can be another similar event next year.
When asked about how to improve collaborations and communications between sections, Mr. Roig answered that there are many policies which can improve that. There is an idea, even in the program with the EU to strengthen the network. He also added that the ASPAC section has been very active in proposing ideas. It is important for all sections to have better connection with their members and to be able in explaining to local governments the value of belonging to UCLG.
Mr. Roig concluded by saying that ASPAC is one of the most energetic sections of UCLG. “It’s in a growing continent,” he said “with a strong urbanization process, with many young people willing to change things. At the moment the world is learning a lot from what Asia-Pacific is doing. I hope that in the next few years we will be having a lot of change inside the ASPAC organization.”
Director General of Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, Mr. Liu Baochun, his staff members and representatives from Jeju whose Governor is currently the President of UCLG ASPAC also participated in the Retreat. They shared their visions and views on how to strengthen the Network and collaborative efforts made by Sections and Committees.
