Geelong’s creativity goes on show

GEELONG mayor Bruce Harwood says the city “has been heard loud and clear” at the recent UNESCO conference in Italy.

Cr Harwood and the city’s manager of economic development and events, Tim Ellis, flew to the city of Fabriano for the  UNESCO Creative Cities annual general meeting, held from June 10-15.

Geelong is Australia’s only City of Design, the only regional Australian city among the four with a UNESCO Creative Cities designation, and one of only 34 Cities of Design around the world.

“The reception we have received in relation to our recent regional community works has been widely praised,” Cr Harwood said.

“Many of our UNESCO Creative Cities colleagues were extremely impressed by our council’s commitment to community infrastructure, social inclusion and our environment. This gave great initiatives to other cities.

“We have also learnt of a number of initiatives that are based around engaging communities to further use council infrastructure, working with our younger population – they were all very impressed with our Junior Council – and how to engage further with our UNESCO City of Design partners.

“We have made a clear statement about our desire to hold a City Of Design cluster meeting in Geelong in 2021. This was really well received but will require considerable work and commitment to this aim.”

He said the networking he and Mr Ellis did at the cluster meetings was also very valuable.

“My presentation at the Mayors’ Forum featuring 54 mayors from around the world was well received, while Tim Ellis made a great presentation about the strengths of Geelong as a City Of Design during a session titled ‘Stimulating Innovation’.

“It will now be a matter of having a discussion with my fellow councillors on our return and then translating the ideas and opportunities we have gathered into actions.”