International Relations - Municipality of Bologna

International Relations

HIGHLIGHTS

• "Lux Prize 2012" the European film competition: in Bologna the projection of Tabu, one of the finalist movies
  15 January, 8 p.m. - cinema Lumière, via Azzo Gardino 65 [more]
  
• Giorgio Morandi in Brazil
  from November 30th, 2012 to February 24th, 2013 [more]
  
• RESPIGHI PRIZE: on line the call for the 3rd International Competition for Composers and Soloists
  [more]
  

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The development of an articulated network of international relations is a basic component of the competition/cooperation strategy of any urban system.

Local authorities, being closest to citizens, are now acknowledged by all European and international institutions as essential partners for the development of social and economic policies. The active participation in international networks does not only make European and international institutions more aware of urban policies by promoting the exchange of information, experiences, staff and best practices among cities, but also and mostly to find common solutions, promote cooperation projects and activities, define priorities and actions.

International Relations become therefore a fundamental element in the foreign activities of a public local government as they allow to:

• Reach important goals for the whole city-system at the international level;
• Contribute to the social and economic development of the local community;
• Improve the quality and efficiency of public services as well as the internal organization of the city’s government;
• Encourage forms of cooperation and develop pilot projects in matters of common interest;
• Promote any exchange of experiences, know-how and good practices with the international partners

To this purpose the Municipality of Bologna establishes relations with other countries on the ground of shared objectives and protocols of intent; promotes cooperation projects with other cities in Europe and worldwide, starting from themes of common interest; searches for additional financial contributions through partnerships with international bodies and European institutions.
Beside the “network” relations, Bologna also carries on bilateral city-to-city relations, which are an important opportunity to set up preferential channels for dialogue and take further chances of cooperation in specific matters.
Many projects and initiatives are realized thanks to the support of international bodies, in particular of the European Union.
By taking part in the European programs, the Municipality of Bologna has the opportunity to:

• Implement locally the programs and policies defined at the European level;
• Integrate the existing financial resources with additional funding, thus developing projects and relations at the international level;
• Build up partnerships, both at a local and international level, with public and private actors, to carry out pilot projects on priority matters requiring common solutions;
• Increase and share know-how and exchange experiences as well as good practices at the international level, with the aim to improve the quality of the services offered and contribute to innovation in the public government;
• Make Bologna’s points of excellence known in Europe and internationally and to the European institutions;
• Take part in the building of the European citizenship, starting from the shared values.

To carry out these activities the City of Bologna makes use of its International Relations, Cooperation and Projects Office, part of the Economic Delevopment and City Promotion Dept, that has the task to support the institutional bodies and the Municipal Departments in managing international relations and cooperation projects, as well as the participation of the Municipality in the cities’ international networks.