In the UCLG World Congress, about 2,000 representatives of local governments around the world will attend the meeting to share ideas in several local government issues such as politics, society, economy and culture. Civilian partners such as NGOs and associations will also be seeking close cooperation for the effective running of local governments.
Holding the UCLG World Congress in the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is expected to shed new light on the meaning of local self-governance and prove to be a big opportunity to promote Jeju. Kim Tae-hwan, governor of the Special Self-Governing Province of Jeju, noted: "Through this event, the regional economy can be boosted with positive social and cultural effects. I have high expectations that it will prove to be an opportunity to rev up the convention industry in a region renowned for natural beauty."
"More than that," continued Governor Kim, "Jeju is an ideal place for discussing such important issues as peace, poverty, inequality, and cultural diversity. And we are prepared to make contributions to raising the quality of life of not only our citizens but also the people of the whole world."
United cities, local governments
UCLG is an organization that promotes shared benefits and ideals through the democratization of and cooperation among local governments, seeking to form an international community based on this foundation. The objectives of UCLG include the following: the strengthening of democratic local governments; cooperation and union; playing the role of a political spokesperson for local governments worldwide; playing the role as a major information center for local governments; the bolstering of the self-governance of local governments and national councils; racial and sexual equality; the reinforcing of the diversity of the rule by local governments; and the strengthening the cooperation for decentralization, international cooperation, and partnerships between local governments.
With its headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, UCLG currently is comprised of over 1,000 cities in 127 countries as members. Together with the United Nations, UCLG has been playing a leading role in relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations.
Changing cities are driving our world
The main theme of the 2nd UCLG World Congress, Jeju 2007 is Changing Cities Are Driving Our World. The theme of the congress selected by the UCLG World Council emphasizes the diversity of local governments and their important roles.
"The main theme expresses well the current situation in which the role of local governments in bringing about the necessary changes for the prosperity of the whole world is more important than at any other time," said Jeju Governor Kim. The main theme deals with practical topics for solving common problems in detail. The topics are as follows: Cities the future of humanity: addressing climate change; City Diplomacy: Local governments building peace; and 2015: A better world is possible Local governments in new global governance.
Fourteen workshop topics
The congress has 14 workshop topics. The congress will share practical and concrete issues that each local government can confront, including the decentralization of power, multiculturalism, the environment, and their solutions. It aims to materialize the local self-government that is democratic and peaceful and that makes the locality a good place to live in. The 14 workshop topics are as follows:
1. A world closer to its citizens: progress in decentralization and local democracy in the 21st century
2. Towards 2015: local government's plan to achieve the Millennium Development Goals
3. Financing urban explosion: local authorities' vision
4. Local democracy, participative democracy: the key to social inclusion
5. Culture within multicultural cities - Agenda 21 for culture
6. New technologies changing our lives and changing local governments
7. Metropolitan challenges: competitiveness and cooperation, performance and quality of life, center and suburbs
8. Access to basic services for all: Dream or reality
9. Association capacity building for good local governance: Achievements and perspectives
10. The cities of tomorrow: New ecological cities, digital cities, museum cities, widespread cities, compact cities, secure cities
11. Urban mobility: Adapting to the new ways of life
12. Biodiversity, climate change, environment protection: sustainable cities where people and nature coexist
13. International expositions, Olympic Games, mega festivals: Cities for worldwide recognition
14. Local governance facing pandemics
Too many people moving to cities
Jeju Governor Kim stated: "In the 2nd UCLG World Congress, UCLG will discuss diverse issues on responding to the too many people moving to cities. Right now, we are directly confronting an enormous challenging task. In order to solve such a problem that is common to mankind, the international community must pay attention to the powerful potentials and exemplary achievements of local governments. For this, the members and partners of UCLG gathering in Jeju must exert great efforts with professional knowledge, experience and passion."
The beautiful city with high quality of life
Ahead of the UCLG World Congress, Governor Kim Tae-hwan prepared a message to be delivered to the participants of the world congress. His message includes important points, outlined here.
The value of the natural environment of Jeju is recognized to have much higher value than it seems. Having already designated as a life preservation region by UNESCO, Jeju is expected to be named a natural heritage this year thanks to its unique natural environment and geological features. Furthermore, Jeju City has been selected as a city of good health by the World Health Organization (WHO). All in all, the city is reputed to be the beautiful city where a high quality of life can be enjoyed.
In terms of self-governance, Jeju Province has been improving the living conditions by strengthening its education, including the establishment of an English only town. The number of countries' citizens that can visit Jeju without a visa has been expanding, and the number of foreign tourists has been increasing. The tourism industry, too, has seen its industrial infrastructure and contents differentiated. Many kinds of tourism-related rights have been applied to fit the actual circumstances of the Jeju region. The basis for medical tourism, a newly rising industry, has been laid down and the health and medical treatment development plan has been formulated.
In addition, major policies, including those related to public medical treatment, have been reinforced.
Agriculture, livestock, and fisheries have been fostered, and the living conditions have been improved. Moreover, the basis for managing the clean environment and underground water has been prepared.
Lastly, with its special brand and incentives, Jeju has been attracting the attention from home and abroad especially because of its differentiated system and its being a model of successful self-government and decentralization of power.
As a self-governing province that maintains cooperative ties with 18 regions in 11 countries, Jeju has been endeavoring to form a truly international free city, in which people, products, and capital move freely.
