The City of Greater Bendigo has released a new draft International Relations Policy and is now seeking community comment until 5pm Friday December 18, 2020.
City of Greater Bendigo Director Health and Wellbeing Vicky Mason said the City's existing International Relations Policy was adopted in 2014 and since that time significant change has taken place within the region relating to increased social, cultural and economic connections between local businesses, organisations and residents and overseas organisations.
"The changes highlight the growing internationalisation of Greater Bendigo and the need for a new policy to maximise the social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits of international relationships for our community," Ms Mason said.
"The new draft policy aims to provide greater clarity and consistency around international relationships to improve the selection of future international relationships and ensure the City receives clear benefits and value for money.
"The draft policy provides a clear outline of who it applies to, rules for new formal relationships and existing relationships and the discontinuation of relationships.
"It also outlines core principles that were identified through the policy review process. These principles include mutual benefit and reciprocity, alignment and relevance, leverage, promotion, sustainability, accountability and transparency, community participation, human rights, capacity building, evidence-based, and evaluation and review."
The City of Greater Bendigo's current international relationships include:
- UNESCO Creative Cities Network, with Greater Bendigo and region designated as a Creative City of Gastronomy
- Bendigo Art Gallery's series of highly successful exhibitions in collaboration with major international galleries in the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee supporting relationships between local residents and organisations with the sub-district of Maubisse in Timor Leste
The City is now seeking feedback from the community on the draft International Relations Policy to help inform the final policy. Residents can provide their feedback by completing a short online questionnaire, providing a written submission or by attending an online focus groups at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Your-Say until 5pm Friday December 18, 2020.
