Renewal Mayors for Peace in Australia
January 15, 2008
Mayor Akiba was brought into the room using Skype and webcams
Doctors from MAPW have visited mayors around the country, leading to membership of 4 Councils, and an expected further number in coming months.
A meeting was held in Melbourne on the 16 August, hosted by the City of Yarra who had recently jointed M4P, supported by the ICAN Campaign and the VLGA. This was attended by 5 Local Governments, 4 who were current members, and the 5th voted to join on the 6th December. In the meeting a number of issues were identified that make ongoing active participation difficult, particularly succession planning as Australian Mayors have only 1 year tenure. Further meetings were planned, but for a number of reasons, did not eventuate.
A student with the ICAN campaign contacted all Councils who are members of Mayors for Peace in Australia during August and September. The majority of these Councils were not aware they are members of MFP, and those who were aware of membership, indicated they were not active. Only a small number of Councils have undertaken activities under the banner of Mayors for Peace. An Australian fact sheet was also developed.
In November a side event was held at the Australian Local Government Association Conference. This event featured a Skype presentation by Mayor Akiba, and was also addressed by the City of Yarra, and the VLGA. This event was very successful, attracting 50 participants and very positive feedback, particularly from Mayor Akiba's presentation.
At the Darwin Conference, the City of Yarra agreed to take on a National secretariat role for Mayors for Peace, with the VLGA supporting this work.
In 2008, the secretariat as well as MAPW will continue to actively recruit Mayors for Peace, as well as focus on strategies to ensure active and ongoing engagement from Local Councils.
