December 20, 2006

The World Leadership Forum is a not-for-profit organization that promotes leadership internationally - especially in the areas of science, technology, education, communication and the arts - by spotlighting the work of exceptional leaders and achievers in a host of disciplines.

The improvement in the quality of life in St. Louis received international recognition from the World Leadership Forum for Urban Renewal. The World Leadership Award was given to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay at a ceremony held in London, England. Upon receiving the award, Slay said, “Everyone in St. Louis should be proud. This honor recognizes the vision and hard work of many people who are making St. Louis a great city.”

One of the reasons St. Louis received the award was for creating a “culture of change” throughout the city and improving the city’s quality of life. In describing what St. Louis is doing, Slay said, “It isn’t just bricks and mortar. We are revitalizing downtown and our neighborhoods… We are also addressing health care, education, affordable housing and homelessness.” Helping to invigorate downtown St. Louis was its new baseball stadium which is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, winners of this year’s World Series and several other development projects.

This award is given to cities whose leaders have shown exceptional imagination, foresight or resilience in a number of key areas, especially cities that have reversed trends, shaken off traditional images, and acted as an example and inspiration to others. Other finalists for this urban renewal award were Kansas City; Manchester, England; and Calcutta, India.

Albuquerque (NM) won the World Leadership Award for Utilities for its “Securing a Priceless Future” program that is designed to protect the city’s valuable underground water source. The winners of the 2006 World Leadership Awards were announced at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez, Chairman of the Conference of Mayors Water Council said, “I’m the happiest mayor in the world. This represents an entire city seeing a problem and addressing it successfully.”

The program involves making full use of surface water from The San Juan/Chama Project to provide up to 70 percent of the city’s future needs, as well as cutting down on water consumption. The San Juan/Chama Project draws water from the Colorado River watershed, crosses the Continental Divide in Northern New Mexico, and stores the water in a reservoir in the Rio Grande Watershed to be used by Albuquerque area residents. The water is treated in a state of the art $300 million treatment and distribution complex. Of equal importance is the water conservation program spearheaded by Chavez that has resulted in a 30 percent decrease in total water usage while the number of households and other water customers has increased by 30 percent.

Early in 2006, the World Leadership Forum contacted leaders in 400 of the world’s largest cities and asked them to submit synopses of their most successful projects. These projects covered a very wide range of activities spanning the environment, urban renewal, utilities, health, town planning, architecture, civil engineering, education, development of the young, the economy and employment.

The short listed projects were presented to the judges in a series of live symposia in London December 5 and 6. The judges applied three criteria: the quality of leadership displayed; the difficulties or obstacles that the city has overcome; and the degree of inspiration that the city may give to others. In announcing the Award, the judges said, “Madrid (the other finalist in the category) has a great program, but Albuquerque has accomplished a truly remarkable feat with this water sustainability program.”