American Mayors Join in Largest International Mayors Conference in Jerusalem
By Tom McClimon
May 9, 2005
Twelve American mayors were part of some 70 mayors from 32 countries around the globe that convened in Jerusalem, April 10-16, for a week-long study tour focusing on growing issues for the 21st century city: multiculturalism, security and development and preservation. Spanning six continents, the participation in the 23rd Jerusalem Conference of Mayors represented the largest single civic delegation to visit Israel in many years.
Lead by United States Conference of Mayors President Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, the American mayors delegation included Manchester Mayor Robert Baines, Columbus (OH) Mayor Michael Coleman, Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, Highland Park (NJ) Mayor Meryl Frank, Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder, San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles, and Richmond (VA) Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. Other mayors attending represented such countries as India, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Chile, Lithuania, and the Ukraine.
Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski welcomed the largest single delegation of international mayors ever to gather in Jerusalem at the opening luncheon. Joined the Ambassadors and other dignitaries, Lupolianski thanked the mayors and said that the conference would provide the opportunity for mutual enrichment, and the chance to get to know Jerusalem. "Look around-and you won't even see the city that was the center of terror attacks only one year ago. We pray that those days are gone." Lupolianski addressed the positive trends in Jerusalem today, especially the economic revival, the rise in tourism, and the new industrial development.
President of Israel Moshe Katzav, who received the delegation at his residence, expressed appreciation for the mayors coming to Jerusalem. In his response, Plusquellic told Katzav, "We came to discuss city problems, but we hope to leave as ambassadors of this great city and country of Israel."
Open discussions at Jerusalem city hall and visits to city projects provided the mayors with a platform for mutual exploration of common challenges. Coleman was one example of the mayors who talked about each of their cities. "Columbus is a diverse and growing international city, and our examples of economic development, affordable housing initiatives, and after'school education programs were just few of the stories I shared with my fellow mayors." The conference participants were given an overview of Jerusalem's new master plan which calls for the introduction of a light-rail transit system and curtailment of vehicle parking and movement in the central business district.
In addition to two days of intensive meetings at city hall, the group met with Deputy Prime Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor and former mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom.
The mayors toured Yad Sarah that was founded by Lupolianski in the 1970s when he was a high school teacher. Yad Sarah is the largest volunteer organization in Israel with over 100 braches and over 6,000 volunteers. Their best-known service is lending medical equipment to those who are in need, but they also provide transportation for the disabled, personal alarms systems for the elderly and outreach to the homebound.
Upon their introduction in to The Most Honorable Order of Fellow Mayors for Jerusalem, the American mayors presented a letter to Lupolianski, which stated, " When we return home we will encourage others to visit Israel so that they can learn about the country, meets its people and be able to see many of the important historic sites. "We urge all parties to the peace process to remain resolute because we know that peace will lead to a better life for both Israelis and Palestinians."
Other highlights of the conference included an informal gathering in Caesarea with Israel mayors and heads of local authorities, an open discussion with members of a delegation of Arabs and Jews who visited Auschwitz together, a tour of the new Yad Vashem (Holocaust) Museum and a briefing with the Israeli Defense Northern Command on the Golan Heights. There were also visits to Christian, Moslem and Jewish holy sites, and a special Sabbath dinner with spiritual leaders representing various faiths.
The 23rd Jerusalem Conference of Mayors was sponsored by the American Jewish Congress Council for World Jewry, and is hosted by the mayor of Jerusalem with cooperation and support of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Konrad Adenauer foundation and The United States Conference of Mayors.
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