Rotterdam World City: fixed Direction, New Ambitions
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Governmental, Legal and International Affairs Department Rotterdam World City: fixed direction, new ambitions Programme for International and European Activities 2009-2010 Rotterdam World City: fixed direction, new ambitions Programme for International and European Activities 2009-2010 “I am a citizen of the world, my homeland is everywhere” Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, Erasmus of Rotterdam │1 Foreword International and European procedures are having an increasingly direct impact on the public. Thanks to our port, our history of enterprise, our business mentality and international orientation, Rotterdam is a significant city both nationally and internationally. But that also means that we must remain alert at all times. Only by promptly anticipating and responding to developments in the world can we further strengthen our international position. For this reason, the municipal council considers it desirable to approach Rotterdam’s international and European activities in an integrated and structured way. To make this clear and transparent, a Programme for International and European Activities 2009-2010 (PIEA) was drafted, bearing the title ‘Rotterdam World City: fixed direction, new ambitions’. This title expresses the fact that Rotterdam will, in the first place, be continuing on its chosen path, internationally speaking. Continuity and the use of effective and tried-and-tested networks are a precondition for achieving results, particularly with international contacts. Nevertheless, we must make even better use of our capabilities in the coming years. Herein lies our most important task. New ambitions need to be formulated if we are to position and profile Rotterdam in the right way on the international stage. Co-operation and consolidation; these are the new keywords. Being proactive, creative, courageous and innovative. In the PIEA 2009-2010, this is translated into a clear policy framework. A future-oriented approach that leads to tangible results and will increase Rotterdam’s strength as an attractive, multifaceted metropolis. ing. A. Aboutaleb Mayor of Rotterdam 2│ Table of contents I. Main features and action points II. Clarification 1. Introduction 1.1 Background and function 1.2 Structure 2. The role of Rotterdam in the international arena 2.1 Variation in roles, distinct priorities 2.2 World-class player, main role player and team player 3. Economy and port as starting point 3.1 International relations from an economic-geographic perspective 3.2 Germany, trading partner number 1 3.3 Stars of economic growth: Brazil, Russia, India, China and Turkey 3.4 ‘Business as usual’: United States and United Kingdom 3.5 Insight into ‘high potentials’ 4. Profile and position through themes 4.1 International relations from a themed perspective 4.2 Climate and energy 4.3 Water 4.4 Participation for all Rotterdammers: social cohesion and participation 4.5 Daring and allure in art, culture and sport 4.6 Themed years and months 5. Rotterdam in the world, the world in Rotterdam 5.1 International relations: from countries of origin to special partnerships 5.2 Countries with which there is a special bond 6. World City with many relationships 6.1 International relations: making functional use of a broad network 6.2 Inter-city relations 7. Brussels is the capital of Rotterdam 7.1 The European Union and decentralised authorities: administrative relationship evolving 7.2 Networks: strengthen position and learn from each other 7.3 European priorities for Rotterdam 7.4 Making optimum use of European instruments 8. Organising the execution 8.1 Different roles: joining forces in Rotterdam 8.2 Steering, coordination and instruments │3 I. Main features and action points Main features Germany and the so-called BRICT countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Turkey). City links with Cologne, 1. Programme for International and European Shanghai and St. Petersburg play an important role here. Activities (PIEA) International relations with the United States and the Rotterdam wants to further strengthen its international United Kingdom will be continued. position. For this reason, the municipal council is approaching Rotterdam’s international and European 5. Knowing which countries and cities will become activities in an integrated and structured way with the of interest Programme for International and European Activities Existing markets and relations are maintained, new 2009-2010 (PIEA). The title of this programme is markets are explored. A clear picture is obtained of the ‘Rotterdam World City: fixed direction, new ambitions’. countries and cities (high potentials in terms of economic This title expresses the fact that Rotterdam will, in growth) with which Rotterdam will enter into new the first place, be continuing on its chosen path, co-operative relationships in the coming decade. internationally speaking. 6. Profile and position through focus on themes 2. Function of PIEA In addition to selecting priority countries and cities from The main function of the Programme for International and an economic-geographic perspective, Rotterdam also European Activities 2009-2010 is: to create a transparent chooses to enhance its profile and position by being policy framework with priorities, thereby improving internationally active and successful on a number of coordination between Rotterdam’s various activities. specific themes. The most important of these are climate and energy, 3. World-class player, main role player, team player water, social cohesion and participation (within the Rotterdam is an international world-class player when it context of which the ambition to be ‘intercultural leading comes to port economics, industry, logistics and maritime city’ is fleshed out in more detail), art & culture and affairs. The port of Rotterdam aims to be best, the sport. On the basis of an integrated approach, Rotterdam cleanest, most sustainable and safest port. is establishing an ever-stronger relationship between Rotterdam is an international main role player when it priority countries and cities on one hand and substantive comes to the approach to social problems, among other priority themes on the other, thereby making the efforts things. Within the European Union, Rotterdam has made even more productive in terms of overall results. a name for itself in the field of urban development, but also with policy on participation and safety. 7. From countries of origin to special partnerships When Rotterdam is not playing a main role player, For years now, Rotterdam has maintained international the city takes part as a ‘team player’ in the networks or relations with countries and cities with which large projects of other cities. This way Rotterdam remains up to groups of Rotterdammers have a special bond because date on international developments and responds quickly they, their parents, grandparents or other family members to new initiatives and changing circumstances. were born there. Up to now, these countries were often referred to by the term ‘countries of origin’. In Rotterdam, 4. Economy and port as starting point: BRICT this mainly involves Turkey, Morocco, Surinam, the For Rotterdam, the economic motive is the predominant Netherlands Antilles and Cape Verde. From now on, one when initiating and maintaining international Rotterdam will speak of countries and cultures with which relations. For this reason, Rotterdam gives priority to there is a special connection (‘special partnerships’). 4│ Wherever possible, in the coming years, an increasing 12. Co-operation with trade and industry, social emphasis will be placed on the economic aspects of organisations and knowledge institutes these relationships too, as well as on Rotterdam’s priority Rotterdam can only achieve the set ambitions if there themes. is good co-operation with trade and industry (such as the Port of Rotterdam Authority), social agencies 8. City relationships: it is about the content and the and organisations and other authorities both at home significance for the city and abroad. There is coordination in the international- A metropolis like Rotterdam maintains friendly relations economic field in the so-called Vierhoek (Quadrangle). with many other cities around the world. Within the Full advantage is taken of opportunities for mutual context of these relations too, increasing emphasis co-operation. is being placed on the economic aspects of the The municipality of Rotterdam is intensifying relationships, as well as on Rotterdam’s priority themes. co-operation in the field of international relations with With a number of sister cities – such as Shanghai, knowledge and scientific institutions in the city and Cologne and St. Petersburg in particular – Rotterdam region. Even closer collaboration will be established with has intensive contacts; other cities might not bear the title Erasmus University in particular. of sister city, but they are important partners in specific areas. It is a question of the content, not the name of the 13. Organisation within Rotterdam co-operative relationship. For this reason, Rotterdam The Municipal Executive is directing policy on will not be entering into any new sister city relationships. international relations. At the heart of the implementation With respect to cities which have no direct link with is the Rotterdam Development Corporation, the Chief Rotterdam’s priority areas or themes, restraint will be Marketing Officer and the departments of Social Affairs & exercised in the coming years. Employment, Youth, Education & Society, Art & Culture,