LG Professionals Australia: International Program 2016-2019 International Strategy LG Professionals Australia: International Committee
Contents 1. Introduction... 2 1.1 About LG Professionals Australia... 2 1.2 State of Play... 2 1.3 Principal Current Programs... 3 2. Strategic Vision, Purpose and Values... 4 2.1 Vision... 4 2.2 Purpose... 4 2.3 Values... 4 2.4 Rationale... 4 3. Goals 2016 2018... 6 4. Workplan 2016-2019... 7 5. Governance and Coordination... 7 5.1 Activities and members involvement... 7 5.2 International Affiliates... 7 5.3 National Office Governance and reporting... 8 Attachment A... 9 Programs, partnerships and opportunities... 9 Partner organisations... 9 Domestic partners [Formalised]... 9 International Partners... 10 Page 1 of 10
1. Introduction 1.1 About LG Professionals Australia Local Government Professionals Australia (formerly Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA)) is the leading national professional association representing local government officers/professionals throughout Australia. At present there are 565 local level governments around Australia with a workforce of approximately 200,000 people. The national office is governed by a board of directors comprised of a national president, vice-president, and five directors. Each state appoints one member of its board to the national board to ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of products and services at both the national and state level. 1.2 State of Play LG Professionals Australia s involvement in international initiatives dates back to 1964 when it operated as the Institute for Municipal Administration. Under the 2015-2020 LG Professionals Australia Federation Strategic plan, International Programs was reconfirmed as a priority activity of the national board. The purpose of this strategic plan is to ensure a systematic approach is taken to our international programs to continue to see them grow from strength to strength. In 2015 LG Professionals Australia National Office introduced an International Committee to advise the National Board on its expanding international program. At present LG Professionals Australia has a formal affiliate agreement with the following organisations: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) (United States) Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA); Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) (New Zealand); Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) (United Kingdom); and Kiribati Local Government Association (KiLGA) (Kiribati). Other formal partnerships include: ICLEI Oceania Local Governments for Sustainability; Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF); University of Canberra, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis; Australian Volunteer International (AVI). LG Professionals Australia also has close ties with the following organisations: Governors Association of South Korea, via the Korean Consulate (GAOK); and Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR Council of Local Authorities for International Relations). Page 2 of 10
1.3 Principal Current Programs LG Professionals Australia has a number of active programs at present including: Region [DFAT classification] United States East Asia Country Program Partner Organisation(s)/ People US, Cambodia, ICMA ASEAN ICMA, Cambodian Vietnam and Legislative Process and Mentoring Association Thailand Governance (CMA), Danang Institute for Socio-Economic Development (DISED) and College of Local Government, King Prajadhlpok's Institute (KPI) ICMA, CMA, DISED and KPI United States East Asia US, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand ICMA ASEAN Legislative Process and Governance Pacific New Zealand Management Challenge SOLGM United States ICMA, CMA, DISED and KPI South East Asia South East Asia Multilateral/Global United States East Asia Carribean US, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand Nepal Cambodia New Zealand United Kingdom Canada Semarang, Indonesia Portmore, Jamaica ICMA Environmental Sustainability International Online Mentoring Program International Panel Circuit CityLinks Safe Nepal Cambodian Mentoring Association SOLGM SOLACE CAMA ICMA Townsville City Council Gold Coast City Council Recent programs funded by DFAT (formerly AusAID) included: Public Sector Linkages Program Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Local Government Planning and Budgeting (implementing partner, completed); Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships Pacific Local Government Climate Change Fellowship (round 10); Good Practice Scheme (PNG). A full listing of LG Professionals international activities, together with details of program partners, is contained in Attachment A. Page 3 of 10
2. Strategic Vision, Purpose and Values 2.1 Vision A thriving international network of local government professionals, dedicated to better governance and quality outcomes for local and regional communities, with a focus on sharing experience and expertise of local government with international counterparts to support development efforts at local and regional levels, improving the skills and capacity of network participants, and collaborating with like-minded partners. 2.2 Purpose The purpose of the international program is to: Connect LG Professionals Australia and its members to an international network to facilitate the sharing of best practice, thought leadership and research among partner organisations Provide a pathway for donors and counterpart organisations to utilise the vast array of skills found within Australian local government for international technical assistance programs Provide opportunities for members to be involved in international programs and initiatives for their personal and professional development, and the communities that are represented. 2.3 Values LG Professionals Australia s international program is founded on the principles of: Collaboration and co-learning helping each other, sharing ideas and resources, and working in partnership by building trust, goodwill and commitment; Responsiveness fully understanding and respecting the needs and circumstances of our all partners and participants; Professionalism assisting our members and partner organisations to build their professional skills and capacity, and ensuring our members, when working in the international development and technical assistance context, receive adequate support and training to operate effectively; Integrity and good governance ensuring contributions are ethical, trustworthy, and bias free; Building mutual benefit and capacity ensuring all parties approach their involvement willing to learn from each other. 2.4 Rationale Local and sub-national governments, together with partners in government, business and civil society, can shape and manage communities and places to unleash their potential and enhance social and economic wellbeing. 1 Global trends highlight the growing importance of cities and regions in economic development and governance. This is reflected in widespread moves towards decentralisation and devolution, strongly supported by international bodies such as the World Bank. Central governments everywhere, like the Commonwealth and States in Australia, will always have an interest in outcomes at local and regional levels, but as governments they are not designed to be 1 Sir Michael Lyons (2007) Place shaping: a shared ambition for the future of local government, Final Report of the Lyons Inquiry into Local Government, HMSO. Page 4 of 10
place based. For the most part, they are obliged to focus on high level issues and programs affecting disparate communities across large and diverse geographical areas. They are organised in functional silos and often find it difficult to address specific challenges facing different regions or localities. Local governments can thus bring essential additional skills, capacity and experience to national and international development efforts and technical assistance programs. But in many parts of the world (including both developed and developing countries) this potential has yet to be fully understood and realised, and sub-national governance (whether formal local and regional government or traditional governance) remains under-resourced and/or poorly linked into wider policy and program development. It follows that more can and should be done to: Enhance skills and capacity for local and regional governance, especially in developing countries Apply the expertise found within local governments to support international development efforts at local and regional levels, facilitate contextually and culturally appropriate solutions. Working internationally, LG Professionals Australia is recognised as: A leading professional federation with a strong unified identity recognised nationally and internationally A key source of professional expertise and joint learning Members who are actively engaged with the international community and able and willing to contribute their time, skill and resources to achieving the goals of our international program. Benefits to Local Government Professionals International programs connect LG Professionals Australia and its members to an international network that shares and analyses ideas and approaches; bringing Australian local government into a network of thought leadership, best practice, and the latest research on building better communities. Our international programs provide LG Professionals Australia members opportunities: To learn from, and experience local government in other countries and broaden their perspective on the possibilities, as well as build networks and collaborate with like-minded peers from around the world To gain experience in a wider capacity, to test their expertise while extending their skills in an international context, or to create or influence a project from the ground up To contribute their knowledge and expertise, and impart skills and capacity for local and regional governance, to make a real and practical difference to a community in a developing country This personal and professional development benefits the individual, and in the longer term, their local government, by creating a more vibrant local government and community culture, willing to explore and embrace innovation. Page 5 of 10
3. Goals 2016-2018 LG Professionals Australia National Office Below are the proposed goals and objectives of the 2016-2017 International strategy for review and input from the international committee. Goal 1 Align the international strategy with the goals and objectives of the 2015-2020 Federation Strategic Plan 2 Provide opportunities for members to be involved in the international program for their own personal and professional development, and provide a benefit to members Objectives 1.1 Provide opportunities for members 1.2 Be at least revenue neutral 1.3 Promote professionalism in local government 1.4 Deliver with a collaborative approach 1.5 Adopt the appropriate governance and coordination mechanisms for the delivery of our international programs 2.1 International professional exchange program: successful exchanges completed 2.2 International mentoring program delivered 2.3 Develop and implement programs and initiatives in collaboration with our partner organisations 3 Share best practice, thought leadership and research with our international peers 4 Provide technical assistance to local level and sub-national governments in priority partner countries and regions 3.1 Deliver the international panel with affiliate organisation 3.2 Three contributions (min) to the Resource Hub and other publications from international committee members and partner organisations 4.1 Applications for funding submitted in collaboration with partner organisations 5 Advocate for, and promote the role of, local level government in sustainable development and aid delivery mechanisms for international donors 6 Build strategic partnerships with key and like-minded organisations to establish a network of local government peers 7 Increase the capacity of our organisation and members to play a substantive and quality role in international technical assistance. 5.1 Include international component to our National Congress as a regular feature 6.1 Identify and develop targeted projects and initiatives with our partner organisations 7.1 Include the AVI training models as part of our aid applications Page 6 of 10
4. Governance and Coordination Current formalised mechanisms for governance and coordination: This International Strategy recognises and documents the formal mechanisms for governance and coordination of the LG Professionals Australia s international program as well as the means through which LG Professionals Australia members 2 can be involved in, or contribute to, international initiatives. 4.1 Activities and members involvement It is proposed that members of LG Professionals Australia become involved in international programs and activities in the following ways: Council-to-Council Technical twinning partnership Volunteer: shortterm technical assignments; remote technical support Provide assistance to grant writing Guest speaker, presenter or training Mentoring Committee membership Long-term projectbased assignments 4.2 International Affiliates The purpose of these affiliate arrangements are to facilitate the international exchange of best practice, policy and thought leadership among the international local government committee, and to facilitate peer to peer networking and exchanges for the benefit of the sector globally. As such, this growing list of organisations will continue to act as a HUB mechanism for sharing best practice, policy and innovation on local government. 2 Individual and Council members of State Federation Partners. Page 7 of 10
CAMA ICMA International bilateral Affiliate Agreements; International Affiliate Meetings SOLGM LG Professionals Australia SOLACE 4.3 National Office governance and reporting All new program proposals and contracts for funding are tabled with the National Board for endorsement. State Federation Partners 3 provide access to members 4 to source participants for international projects and opportunities as required. The policy of the National Board is for International Projects to have at least a zero net impact on the National Budget. LG Professionals Australia National Board International Committee LG Professionals Australia National Office LG Professionals Australia State Federation Partners Affiliate Agreements and MOUs Project Agreements 3 States LG Professionals (NSW, Tas, SA, NT), LGMA (QLD & WA), LG Pro Vic. 4 Individual and Council members of State Federation Partners. Page 8 of 10
Attachment A: Partner organisations Domestic partners [Formalised] Australian Volunteers International About AVI Partnership formalised by MOU in 2015 Australian Volunteers International is a global leader in connecting people and organisations internationally to learn from each other and achieve shared goals within our strategic priorities. Our work in people-centred development, particularly through volunteering, is central to this. We work with individuals, organisations and communities in response to locally identified priorities. Countries of operation AVI has worked in 89 countries, with programs currently operating in Botswana, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Zambia. AVI is headquartered in Melbourne, with international offices located in Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Tanzania. Partnership with LG Professionals Australia Relevant international volunteer or placement opportunities for members New international partnership development Local government workforce development programs that incorporate international experiences Local government partnerships, twinning, capacity development, exchange and mentoring Cross-cultural and capacity development training to support international partnerships ICLEI: Partnership Formalised by MOU in 2015 About ICLEI ICLEI is the world s leading network of over 1,000 cities, towns and metropolises committed to building a sustainable future. ICLEI Oceania is responsible for Australia, New Zealand and most Pacific Island nations. It is currently providing a range of programs to assist towns and cities to become more resilient to shocks and stresses, including Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk, Reduction, Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Low Carbon Development, Urban Greening and Biodiversity. At present ICLEI is working with Port Vila and Honiara, in partnership with UNISDR, to conduct Disaster Risk Reduction self assessment and action planning workshops. Countries of operation Australia Solomon Islands India Bangladesh Indonesia Philippines Role in LG Professionals Australia International Programs Identify a contact person to ensure effective communication Share publications with ICLEI Oceania as appropriate Contribute to an annual evaluation of the relationship Identify joint ventures with ICLEI Oceania including promotional events, workshops or exchanges with local government Where appropriate, involve ICLEI Oceania in forward-planning on relevant program activities. Explore methods of increasing joint LGMA/ICLEI Membership in Australia and income sharing for both organisations Work with ICLEI Oceania on international development activities and offer the expertise of LGMA members in regions of mutual concern and priority Explore opportunities for collaborative business development, income generating opportunities for both organisations Explore reciprocal opportunities for professional development and technical assistance for members University of Canberra: Partnership formalised by MOU in 2015 Delivery partner public sector, public policy and leadership training Page 9 of 10
International Partners Bilateral United States United Kingdom Canada New Zealand Kiribati Nepal Cambodia International City/County Management Association Society of Local Authority Chief Executives Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Society of Local Government Managers Kiribati Local Government Assocation Municipal Association of Nepal Safe Nepal Cambodian Mentoring Assocation Multilateral Pacific Commonwealth Local Government Forum Page 10 of 10