Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland along with CAO Tracey Vaughan off to India for U20 Mayors’ Summit.
Cleveland took a few moments on Monday, July 3, 2023 to speak about the trip just hours before the flight leaves at 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
When Cleveland and Vaughan touch down in India it will be Wednesday morning which is when the conference starts.
The conference is a number of Mayors and officials from across the U20 which will help set the agenda for the G20 which follows.
“What is going to be decided amongst the U20 will then be presented to the G20 leaders as concerns from the municipalities.”
“It’s an opportunity for Cobourg to get a seat at the table on a global stage to communicate and work with other municipalities across the world who are going through the same issues, going through the same difficulties.”
Hopefully with representatives across the world it will give leaders a chance to “ share ideas, to brainstorm solutions and how we can combat a variety of issues from environmental concerns, financial concerns, waste diversion management, homelessness, the changing economies. Often municipalities like Cobourg think that they are very unique, and in many ways we are – but when it comes to problems that we as a County are experiencing, what I’m learning is that all municipalities around the Province of Ontario, around Canada and in the global arena are all facing similar challenges.”
Having Cobourg and Northumberland County on a world stage gives others a chance to see what the area is doing well.
Cleveland says the opportunity to showcase the Cobourg and Northumberland County may not guarantee anything in the future, “through this we are going to get the opportunity to meet with other leaders, meet with other jurisdictions, meet with higher levels of government and different government officials to build knowledge, to build partnerships, to build our brand and to really connect with people who are the deciders of a lot of things.”
Cleveland gives credit for the work done by previous councils that opened the door for this chance.
“What we are being recognized for as a town is years and years of good governance. What we’re being recognized for the work previous councils and previous staff have put in to make Cobourg the shining star it actually is.
“This community is exceptional and it’s about time it’s getting the credit it deserves.”
Cleveland says it is a “exceptionally tight itinerary,” with the Mayor and CAO travelling for as many days as they will be at the conference.
The first day Cleveland is speaking at a work session about waste diversion, reduction to landfills, ability to recycle and municipal and provincial levels.
The entire event is being sponsored (paid for) by the U20 and Indian government including accommodation and flight.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
