Geelong on the world stage at UNESCO Creative Cities AGM in Italy

Mayor Bruce Harwood and the City’s Manager of Economic Development and Events Tim Ellis represented Geelong at the UNESCO Creative Cities Annual General Meeting in Fabriano, Italy in June.

Mayor Harwood said Geelong was heard loud and clear at the 2019 UNESCO Conference.

“The reception we have received in relation to our recent regional community works has been widely praised. Many of our UNESCO Creative Cities colleagues were extremely impressed by our council’s commitment to community infrastructure, social inclusion and our environment.”

“We have also learnt of a number of initiatives that are based around engaging communities to further use council infrastructure, working with our younger population (they were all very impressed with our Junior Council), and how to engage further with our UNESCO City of Design partners,” said Mayor Harwood.  

“We have made a clear statement about our desire to hold a City Of Design cluster meeting in Geelong in 2021,” he said.  

Mayor Harwood said the work and networking available at the cluster meetings was also very valuable. “My presentation at the Mayors’ Forum featuring 54 mayors from around the world was well received, while Tim Ellis made a great presentation about the strengths of Geelong as a City Of Design during a session titled ‘Stimulating Innovation’,” he said.

Attendance at the UNESCO Conference was an obligation as part of Geelong’s UNESCO City of Design designation.