MONTREAL, June 11, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The mayors of participating cities and metropolises attending the Living Together Summit, which took place in Montréal on June 10 and 11, 2015, unanimously signed the Montreal Declaration. This document, which is a world première for local governments, sets out the general principles and commitments of "living together" in cities. The declaration provides for the creation of the International Observatory of Mayors on Living Together and agrees that the mayors will continue discussions initiated in Montreal. By adopting this founding text, the signatory mayors reaffirmed their commitment to promote "living together" in their respective communities, assume their responsibilities and share experiences and knowledge.
"With this first Living Together Summit and the signing of the Montreal Declaration, our city has entered a new era in terms of international relations and leadership on the issue of living together. During discussions, the mayors have clearly expressed their willingness to work together to promote citizen reception and inclusion to combat discrimination," said the Mayor of Montréal Denis Coderre.
Exchange and discussion followed the original draft declaration proposed by Mayor Coderre. After constructive discussion, the participants agreed to various amendments.
Creation of a Mayors' International Observatory on Living Together
The mayors have agreed to establish a Mayors' International Observatory on Living Together, to which cities will be invited to join on a voluntary basis. This observatory, a first for local governments, will work closely with universities and research centres in member cities on various issues of interest. It will also help members to document new challenges and innovative practices as well as actions from around the world involving the issue of living together. The Observatory's central secretariat will be located in Montréal for the next five years and will be headed by Raymond Chrétien.
"With his extensive experience as an international diplomat, Mr. Chrétien handled complex issues by being at the centre of discussions that brought together stakeholders from around the world. He is the right person to head the observatory and to make sure that the discussions undertaken today lead to concrete solutions for our communities. I thank him for accepting to share his expertise for living together," said Mayor Coderre.
Mayors' International Observatory on Living Together
The mayors have also agreed to continue discussions undertaken in Montreal as well as share strategic ideas and information by decreeing the Mayors' International Living Together Summit. This summit will be held every two years in member or associate cities. The mayors agreed that the next summit will be held in 2017 in the city of Casablanca, Morocco, under the responsibility of Mayor Mohammed Sajid.
List of the mayors who signed the Montreal Declaration (in alphabetical order)
MONTRÉAL: Mr. Denis Coderre
Bamako (Mali): Mr. Adama Sangaré
Beirut (Lebanon): Mr. Bilal Salim Hamad
Brussels (Belgium): Mr. Yvan Mayeur
Casablanca (Morocco): Mr. Mohamed Sajid
Dakar (Senegal): Mr. Khalifa Ababacar Sall
Douala (Cameroon): Mr. Fritz Ntonè Ntonè
Fez (Morocco): Mr. Hamid Chabat
Geneva (Switzerland): Mr. Sami Kanaan
Halifax (Canada): Mr. Mike Savage
Hiroshima (Japan): Mr. Kazumi Matsui
Île-de-France (France): Mr. Jean-Paul Huchon
Johannesburg (South Africa): Mr. Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau
Lac-Mégantic (Canada): Ms. Colette Roy Laroche
Miami (United States): Mr. Tomás Regalado
Monterrey (Mexico): Ms. Margarita Alicia Arellanes
Mulhouse (France): Mr. Jean Rottner
Paris (France): Ms. Anne Hidalgo
Québec (Canada): Mr. Régis Labeaume
St. Petersburg (United States): Mr. Rick Kriseman
Thies (Senegal): Mr. Talla Sylla
Victoria (Republic of Seychelles): Ms. Jacqueline Moustache-Belle
Washington (United States): Ms. Muriel Bowser
To consult the integral text of the Montreal Declaration, click here.
To download the official photo of the Summit, click here.
SOURCE Ville de Montréal
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2015/06/11/20150611_C7289_PDF_EN_17982.pdf
Source: Catherine Maurice, Press Attaché, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee, 514 346-7598; Information: François Goneau, Public Relations Officer, Communications, 514 868-5859
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