Europe Comes To Cardiff

摘要

As the president-elect of the Federation of Local Authority Chief Executives in Europe (UDiTE), I am proud that Cardiff will be hosting the UDiTE Biennial Congress on 4 and 5 September. The congress theme this year will be European futures and local solutions, and delegates will include some of the most senior local government practitioners in Europe, including many local authority chief executives and senior managers. In fact, no fewer than 33 countries have expressed an interest in this year's congress, and it promises to be truly global event. I believe that no city is better placed to play host to this exciting and thought-provoking assembly than Cardiff. The Welsh capital has reinvented itself as a dynamic and forward-looking city, and is recognised as one of the youngest and fastest-growing cities in the European Union. The theme of the congress, then, is one we are very familiar with in Cardiff. With national economies becoming ever-more interdependent, localities in Europe today are profoundly affected by global forces. Across the Continent, this new reality can be witnessed in social, economic and environmental arenas. Opportunities and challenges are presented for municipalities of all sizes, and it is essential that they respond effectively to maintain the well-being of their citizens and communities. It is the duty of local authorities to ensure they tackle global forces in a way which is beneficial to citizens and communities.