Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the World, Bringing the World to Melbourne
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Page 1 of 28 BUSINESS AND INTERNATIONAL Agenda Item 5.1 RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT 18 November 2008 GLOBAL MELBOURNE: TAKING MELBOURNE TO THE WORLD, BRINGING THE WORLD TO MELBOURNE Division Commerce and Marketing Presenter Jane Sharwood, Manager Business and International Purpose 1. To report to the Business and International Committee and seek approval from Council for Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne. Recommendation from Management 2. That the Business and International Relations Committee: 2.1. endorse Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne; and 2.2. note management will report annually to the relevant committee on its progress. Background 3. Council resolved at its September 2008 meeting, for the Global Statement to be presented to the November 2008 Business and International Relations Committee for its endorsement. 4. Consideration of an earlier version of the Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne (previously known as the Global Statement) was deferred by the Business and International Relations Committee at its March 2008 meeting. The Committee requested further investigation of opportunities to strengthen connections with St Petersburg, Boston, Milan, Thessaloniki, Japan, New Zealand and the Business Partner City network. These specific city to city opportunities are addressed in agenda item 5.2 - Three year forward programs for key international relationship, to be considered by Business and International Relations committee at the November 2008 meeting. 5. Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne (Global Melbourne) articulates the Council’s overall global aspirations and the key themes to enhance Melbourne’s international reputation. This statement provides the strategic context for Advancing Melbourne’s Interests – Business and International Strategy 2008-2012 (adopted by Council in March 2008). It is anticipated Global Melbourne will inform the development of the new Council Plan 2009-2013. Key Issues 6. Global Melbourne identifies the city’s primary global market priorities as: Page 2 of 28 6.1. China – particularly through maximising the competitive strength of the Melbourne - Tianjin relationships; 6.2. India – by capitalising on links with Mumbai (through the Business Partner City Network) and Delhi through the Strategic City Alliance; and 6.3. building on links with Europe (Milan, Thessaloniki and St Petersburg); United States (Boston), Japan (Osaka), other Asian countries particularly through the Business Partner City Network. 7. Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne identified actions under eight themes: 7.1. theme 1 – global citizenship; 7.2. theme 2 – delivering prosperity; 7.3. theme 3 – environment; 7.4. theme 4 - city governance and urban living; 7.5. theme 5 – welcoming international visitors; 7.6. theme 6 – enhancing Melbourne’s reputation as a global centre of education; 7.7. theme 7 – attracting inwards business and investment; and 7.8. theme 8 – making Melbourne your home. 8. Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne (attachment one) describes the vision under each of the themes and identifies the high level critical actions to be undertaken to achieve that vision. 9. Implementation of Global Melbourne will be monitored by Council and a management panel which will seek opportunities to build partnerships with other levels of government, community, business and cultural organisations in the areas of international marketing and targeted events, research, benchmarking and membership of global networks. Time Frame 10. Global Melbourne provides the strategic context for Advancing Melbourne’s Interests – Business and International Strategy 2008 - 2012 and will be an input to the development of the new Council Plan 2009-2013. Relation to Council Policy 11. Global Melbourne provides the strategic context for: 11.1. Advancing Melbourne’s Interests – Business and International Strategy 2008-2012 ; and 11.2. the preparation of the new four year Council plan. Caretaker Policy 12. The request for Global Melbourne: Taking Melbourne to the world, bringing the world to Melbourne is neither a major policy decision nor a significant decision for the purposes of the caretaker policy. 2 Page 3 of 28 Consultation 13. Global Melbourne is the outcome of an extensive, high level consultation process undertaken since 2006. A high level consultative group, with representatives from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Victorian Government, Committee for Melbourne and Centre for Local Government Studies, University of Technology Sydney, provided constructive direction during the early phases of the development of the statement. 14. Further consultation, with a wide range of stakeholders (both internal and external) was conducted during the development of the statement including roundtables with interested parties, the development of discussion papers and a public forum in August 2007, as part of the Future Melbourne process. Extensive research was also conducted of both comparable Australian and international programs and consultation with key stakeholders in Melbourne. 15. An internal Council workshop was held in October 2008, to test and refine the themes and critical actions outlined in Global Melbourne. This workshop identified opportunities to support a range of cross council projects and relationships that will contribute to achieving the Global Melbourne objectives. Government Relations 16. Council has excellent ongoing relationships with a range of Government agencies such as the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Office of Small Business, Austrade and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These relationships are likely to assist in the development of joint projects. 17. Global Melbourne and its key themes formed the basis of the Council’s submission to the Senate Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee inquiry into the Nature and Conduct of Australia’s Public Diplomacy. In its final report (August 2007) the Committee noted: “The enthusiasm shown by this Council in developing its public diplomacy and its keenness to publicise its work, however, speaks volumes for its awareness of international trends and its astuteness in giving high priority to building an international reputation.” ( par 8.56) Finance 18. Any funding requirements will be subject to budget approval. Legal 19. The recommendation made in this report is within the objectives of Council. Sustainability 20. Environment is identified as one of the eight themes in the Global Statement identifying key actions, potential partners and success indicators. Melbourne has the opportunity to continue its leadership roles such as advocacy on climate change, leadership in sustainable built form and environmental policy platform. Attachment: 1. Global Statement 3 Page 4 of 28 Global Melbourne: taking Melbourne to the world and bringing the world to Melbourne 1 Page 5 of 28 Global Melbourne November 2008 Executive Summary As the world becomes more urbanised and globalised, the role of capital cities is increasingly important in managing significant global issues such as climate change, international security and urban sustainability. In addition, there is growing recognition of the role city governments play in forming and building global relationships. The City of Melbourne recognises the importance of global connectivity in city governance. Melbourne’s economic future is tied closely to the development of its knowledge and creative economies in fields such as education, scientific and medical innovation, and technology development and design – economic activity that involves high levels of interconnection at a global level. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, in March 2008 clearly identified regional and international engagement as a national priority in the following statement; ….in order to advance Australia’s interests at home, we must increasingly engage with other nations in responding to the challenges of those abroad….. not as some sort of policy exotica removed from the Australian mainstream, but as part and parcel of the interests of main-street Australia. Those who still believe …. in the splendid isolation of the Australian continent live’s in a fool’s paradise. 1 As a city government, the City of Melbourne has demonstrated its long term commitment to international engagement – through the business, cultural, education and city management programs. To ensure short and long term benefits for all city stakeholders, Council is committed to building mutually beneficial partnerships with a wide range of government, business, cultural, community and education organisations. Through adopting a forward-thinking, outward-looking attitude, Melbourne will consolidate its role as a leading world city. This strategy outlines Council’s global market priorities and the eight key themes that will take Melbourne to the world and bring the world to Melbourne. These themes are: 1. global citizenship; 2. building prosperity; 3. city governance and urban living; 4. the environment; 5. welcoming international visitors; 6. global education centre; 7. attracting inwards business and investment; and 8. welcoming new residents. 1 Kevin Rudd (26 March 2008) Advancing Australia’s Global and Regional Economic Interests, East Asia Forum, Australian National