Stavropol city administration cooperation with the international, All-Russian and regional municipal units associations

1. Stavropol city administration cooperation with the international municipal units associations

Stavropol city municipality carries out cooperation with the international associations of municipal units: United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), UCLG Euro-Asian Regional Section, International Assembly of Capitals and Cities (IAC), Twin-cities International Association and makes contacts with the Embassies and consulates of the foreign countries.

The interaction with the United Cities and Local Governments and UCLG Euro-Asian Regional section is going on. The Head of the city of Stavropol Paltsev N.I. was elected a member of the UCLG Euro-Asian Regional section Council. During the Congress meetings and Executive Bureau meetings the following issues are discussed: the problems of local self-government development, stable cities development, increasing their role, living standards improving.

Stavropol city administration developed active cooperation with the UN-Habitat programme within the interaction with the United Cities and Local Governments which was established under the egis of the UN. In 2006 the city of Stavropol was awarded the UN-Habitat Diploma for creating favourable urban environment. The city of Stavropol won the 2007 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award “for building an inclusive city providing better health, education and employment for all”.

There is a successful cooperation with the International Assembly of Capitals and large Cities (IAC). Stavropol city administration representatives take an active part in the IAC innovational programmes and projects development. As a result of a joint work a unified passport of the city of Stavropol was worked out. Taking part in the work of the IAC Experts Council the city of Stavropol got the opportunity to learn the up-to-date developments in the field of energy efficient and pollution-free technologies applied in the municipal economy as well as a modernized urban water-supply system and waste recycling. Stavropol city administration structural units representatives participated in the working out of the city management assessment indicators as well as the standards of large cities activities.

A preparatory work was done on the participation in “The Best CIS City” international competition organized by the IAC which was aimed at the best experiences revelation in different spheres of city life. As the result the city of Stavropol became a winner in the nomination “For the successes in improving and arranging green spaces in the city”.

Taking part in the «IAC Library» project an international and interregional relations department carries out a systematic work on generalizing Stavropol city administration experience on solving socio-economic issues. The project is aimed at the best urban practices spreading.

In 2008-2009 the Stavropol city administration’s experience in socio-economic field was submitted to the IAC: providing trade and consumer services to citizens entitled to benefits, dehelmintization of waste water, municipal institution “Tramplin”s activity on youth policy realization, social partnership in young people’s civic and patriotic upbringing, work on psychoactive substances abuse prevention among young people in the city of Stavropol. Stavropol city administration’s experience in solving socioeconomic issues was included into the «IAC Library» database and published in three IAC digests “Best practices to the cities”.

A part was taken in the intercity crisis phenomena monitoring within joint activities with the IAC Expert Council: Stavropol city administration structural units submitted their proposals on economic downturn overcoming and anti-crisis measures. Informational material of the Stavropol city administration structural units is analyzed systematically and presented to the IAC for the joint reports.

A work was continuing for the Stavropol city administration representatives’ participation in the IAC international seminars and conferences.

Stavropol city representatives participated in the IAC conference “A city and “clean water”: experience, problems, practice” which took place in the city of Ryazan, in April 2009. During the conference the following problems were discussed: reorganization of the city water supply complex, drinking water and waste water treatment innovative technologies, provision of ecologically clean water for the cities’ population. The recommendations were worked out for solving actual problems of clean water supply for city residents.

The Stavropol city administration representatives took part in the work of the XVth IAC session “A Large City and Historical and Cultural Heritage. Urban Management Optimization”. It was held on the 28-29th of May in the city of Yaroslavl. The following issues were discussed during the session: urban management optimization, investment processes regulation, engineering and transport infrastructure development, cultural heritage preservation. A “round table” “City Transport: Problems and Decisions” was held within the framework of the session. The following issues were discussed: transport development and reconstruction, automated ticket-sale system, the perspectives of the satellite navigation systems development in the transport management. Summing up the session the recommendations were worked out for the formation of the unified informational space in the field of transport, working out the coordinated plan of the transport policy modernization.

À preparatory work was carried out for participation of the first deputy head of the Stavropol city administration Kurbatov A.V. in the IAC International Forum “State-Private Partnership: Local Structure Development” which was held in the city of Aktau (Kazakhstan). In its framework the following issues were discussed: investments into municipal infrastructure through state-private partnership tools, legislature improvement and risks governance during state-private partnership projects implementation. The forum participants approved the establishment of State-Private Partnership Projects Agency aimed at cities development projects realization promotion.

The head of the city of Stavropol Paltsev N.I. participated in the International conference “Regional Informatization: Strategic Priorities” which took place on the 30th of November 2009 in the city of Moscow. During the conference the implementation issues of the Strategy for informational society development for the period up to 2015 year were discussed. The common approaches and ways were highlighted for solving issues in the sphere of regional informatization. The conference participants put forward proposals on the key issues of the Strategy implementation and informational society creation. The regional informatization priorities were determined: supply of the effective city management functions automation, provision of the most required state services in electronic form. Within the conference the “Future Electronic City” Exhibition was opened where the best practices of Moscow, Russian cities, regions and CIS states were presented in the field of informatization as well as innovative IT technologies. Summarizing the results of the conference the international and interregional relations department submitted the best Russian cities’ and regions’ advanced software practices and technical decisions to the Stavropol city administration informatization department for study.

Participation in international conferences and seminars promotes sharing experiences in different fields of the city activities and helps to evaluate city development trends and dynamics.

Within the frameworks of the cooperation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities a definite work was done on preparation for the Stavropol city administration participation in the Congress plenary sessions and the Committee on Culture and Education meetings. Recommendations on decentralization issues and local government strengthening were considered by the Stavropol city administration structural units as a result of the Congress sessions.

An active part was taken in the Council of Europe socio-cultural programmes: “White Paper of Intercultural Dialogue”, “Intercultural cities: governance and policies for diverse communities”. Within the Council of Europe projects implementation a “European week of local democracy” was organized in the city of Stavropol. During the week the events were held which promoted citizens involvement in public life and increased their awareness on local government activities.

Implementation of joint programmes and activities with the Twin-cities International Association (TCIA) is going on. The consultations on municipal cooperation issues with the former Soviet Union and non-CIS countries were organized. The Association assists in getting visas in the foreign countries embassies. The Head of the city of Stavropol was elected the TCIA executive board member.

Stavropol city administration representatives took part in the Twin-cities International Association Board meeting which was held on the 25th of September in the city of Kislovodsk. They discussed the issues of twin cities relations development in the Southern Federal Region and establishment of friendly relations with the cities of Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia.

The work is carried out on the WHO Healthy Cities project implementation. In March 2008 an official reception of the Healthy Cities Baltic Network representatives was given. The main strategies within the international project “We Choose a Life - Youth Against HIV/AIDS” were discussed in the course of the reception which took place in the City Hall. A preparatory work for the international scientific conference “We choose a life - youth against HIV/AIDS” was done. The conference took place in May in the city of Stavropol. The presentations and reports of the Healthy Cities Baltic network representatives were translated into Russian. An interpretation in the course of the conference was organized. A work on registration and filling visa application forms for the Healthy Cities Baltic network representatives was done.

A preparation was made for the WHO experts visit to Stavropol within international Healthy Cities project implementation. The documents for the WHO representatives’ entry to the Russian Federation were issued, the documents for obtaining accreditation in the WHO Healthy City Project V phase were translated into English. An interpretation was provided during experts visit which took place on the 5-7th of April 2009.

The documents were prepared for obtaining visa for the Stavropol city representatives who participated in the annual WHO conference in Viana do Castelo (Portugal) in June.

Within the framework of cooperation with the international organization “European Cities Against Drugs” an activity was carried out on preparation for the international Science and Practice Conference “Drugs Security and Drugs Abuse at Municipal Level: Russian Cities’ Experience Sharing”. The representatives of the Swedish city-members of the international organization ECAD and 8 cities of the Russian Federation took part in the conference. During the conference an interpretation was provided for foreign participants. A work was done on filling visa application forms for the Swedish representatives. The participants received a warm welcome.

The materials on the issue of improvement of the International organization “European cities against drugs” activity were translated into Russian.

The interaction with the foreign countries embassies and consulates is carried out. Lately receptions were given to the official delegations in the City Hall: the Czech extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to RF, the Bulgarian extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to RF, the Turkish extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to RF, the representatives of the USA Embassy in the Russian Federation.

In 2008 a preparatory work was done on the reception of the Charge d’affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Russian Federation Rudolf Adam and official delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany. The issues of the Stavropol city cooperation development in the social and economic fields were discussed.

In October 2008 and January 2009 within implementation of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation Government and the Government of the Republic of Hungary there were meetings of the head of the Stavropol city administration with the coordinator of the projects, a member of the working group on the Intergovernmental Commission Karoy Borbey. The parties concerned agreed on the cooperation in the social field objects construction in the city of Stavropol. A possibility of Hungarian partners’ participation in the pre-school institutions construction was considered.

The international and interregional relations department provides participation of the Stavropol city administration representatives in the work of international conferences and seminars aimed at learning experience of European cities on the issues of local self-government, effective production management, attracting investments and housing municipal economy problems solution.

A preparatory work was done on preparation for the participation in the International seminar “Housing Municipal Economy Reform – Eastern Germany Experience”. The seminar took place in December 2008 in the city of Berlin (Federal Republic of Germany). The head of the city of Stavropol Paltsev N.I. took part in the seminar. During the seminar the issues of an integrated approach to the housing and municipal economy reform were discussed. A special attention was paid to the best European energy saving practices, apartment houses management and attracting investments to the reconstruction and modernization of the city economy. The head of the city of Stavropol Paltsev N.I. took part in the discussion of the problems and the housing-municipal economy development guidelines.

The documents of the United Cities and Local Governments are translated into Russian systematically. The UCLG Global Report on Decentralization and Local Democracy was translated. Within the framework of the WHO Healthy Cities project implementation a translation of the following texts was made into English: information about Stavropol, about implementation of the project strategic lines for the Healthy Cities Baltic network website, the results of the sociological survey within the WHO international project “We Choose a Life - Youth Against HIV/AIDS”,a booklet “Strategic Plan of Health Promotion and Protection for the population of Stavropol up to 2015” as well as articles, questionnaires and reports on this project. A treaty on the cooperation within “We Choose a Life - Youth Against HIV/AIDS” project between Baltic Region Healthy Cities Association and the city of Stavropol was translated into Russian as well as WHO booklet and video material about “1000 cities-1000 lives” action within the framework of World Health Day 2010.

The information about activities in the World Health Organization International Project “We Choose Life - Youth against HIV/AIDS” was translated into Russian.

The Stavropol city administration structural units’ information on investment projects of the city was translated into English. The international organizations materials sent to the Stavropol city administration Department of Culture were translated into Russian.

The Stavropol city administration’s cooperation with International Assembly of Capitals and Cities was going on. The Plan of events within the cooperation with IAC for 2010 was worked out.

The materials were prepared for participation in the non-commercial partnership “Agency of state and private urban development programs” Supervisory Council extended meeting which was held on the 28th of January 2010 in Moscow. It was organized by Moscow Government and International Assembly of capitals and cities. Being a member of the Supervisory Council the head of the city of Stavropol N.I.Paltsev took part in its work. During the meeting the issues of urban infrastructure projects and social programs implementation on the basis of state and private partnership method were discussed. A special attention was paid to the issues of legislative support of state and business structures cooperation in state and private partnership application as well as investors’ risks and insurance procedures. The head of the UN ECE Economic Cooperation and Integration Committee introduced foreign experience of state and private partnership tools application. The leader of the UN-Habitat program in the Russian Federation suggested to discuss the issues of cooperation and sharing experience on state and private urban development programs implementation. In the end the collection of articles on state and private partnership application in the Russian Federation, CIS countries and abroad was issued. The collection materials were introduced to the Stavropol city administration units: economic development and trade committee, urban economy committee and city planning committee.

Cooperation with the Twin Cities International Association was going on. Informational and video-materials about Stavropol city administration events dedicated to the Year of Bulgaria in Russia were sent to the TCIA for publishing in the “Twin cities” magazine.

Within the framework of international intermunicipal cooperation development with foreign cities a work is carrying out on establishing friendly relations with the city of Zhenjiang (China). The Draft Agreement on cooperation between Stavropol city administration and municipality of Zhenjiang was prepared. The proposals for the Program of the Stavropol city administration official delegation visit to the city of Zhenjiang were worked out.

2. Stavropol city administration cooperation with the All-Russian and regional municipal units associations

Stavropol city municipality is a member of the following All-Russian and Regional municipal units association: Russian Cities Union, Russian Union of the Historical Cities and Regions, the association “Stavropolsky Krai Municipal Units Union”.

The international and interregional relations department carries out work on ensuring Stavropol city administration representatives’ participation in the All-Russian and regional events: the leading bodies meetings and the common meetings of the above-mentioned municipal units. The local self-government reform issues are under consideration at these meetings as well as the housing municipal economy modernization and structuring issues, priority national projects implementation.

Taking part in the meetings of the Russian Cities Union governing body Stavropol city administration representatives consider the following issues: urban development problems, local self-government intensification, Russian cities experience on municipal economy management.

Stavropol city representatives take part in the “Stavropolsky Krai Municipal Units Union”meetings. They consider issues of municipal units’ strategic development, efficient finance management as well as employment problems.

Cooperation with the Association of Small and Middle-sized Towns of Russia is carried out. In 2008-09 Stavropol city administration representatives participated in the seminars on the issues of the effectiveness activity assessment of the executive power bodies of the Russian Federation subjects and local self-government. During the seminars the following issues were discussed: perspectives of the local self-government development in the Russian Federation, increasing the effectiveness of local government’s activity and improvement of citizens’ life. The creating tools of the own local self-government effectiveness assessment model were worked out.

A preparatory work was done on organizing the Stavropol city administration official visit to Moscow aimed at sharing experience in the social and communal fields. Having visited the Moscow school-laboratory ¹ 760 and the Balashikha “Zemskaya Gymnazium” the delegation members got acquainted with application of the health keeping technologies in the educational process. They studied a reforming system of the Moscow housing and municipal economy as well.

A preparatory work was done for the Stavropol city delegation visit to Omsk to study the city’s experience in economic sector. The visit took place on the 21-25th of April. During a visit the Stavropol city administration representatives had an opportunity to learn the city conception of small and middle-scale business development. They visited agricultural fairs and city enterprises which use innovative technologies. The issues of regulatory acts preparation in the fields of trade and entrepreneurship were discussed.

Stavropol city administration continued its cooperation with the Russian Cities Union. The head of the Stavropol city administration Healthcare Department Ye.P.Shalina took part in the Russian Cities Union Conference “Socially significant projects on nation’s health strengthening – efficient social investments” which was held in the city of Rostov. The representatives of the World Health Organization, the Russian Federation legislative and executive branches of power and local governments participated in the conference. They discussed the importance of the integrated informational space for coordination of all interested sectors and organizations working in the sphere of healthy lifestyle formation.

The head of the city of Stavropol Paltsev N.I. participated in the III Congress of the All-Russian Local Governments Council which took place on the 1st of December in Moscow. The Congress participants discussed the All-Russian Local Governments Council’s activities guidelines as well as the main issues of road construction and housing and municipal economy complex functioning.

The work was carried out for participation of the international, All-Russian and regional municipal units associations leaders and the heads of the cities of the Russian Federation Southern Federal Region entities in the Stavropol city Day celebrations. A program for visiting Stavropol city Day ceremonial events by official delegations was compiled.

In 2010 the Stavropol city administration international and interregional relations department continued its activity on establishing and developing intermunicipal relations. The department staff consulted Stavropol city administration structural units specialists on the issues of establishing cooperation with the Prefecture of the South-Eastern administrative district of the city of Moscow: the draft agreement on commercial, economic and socio-cultural agreement was worked out.

One of the priority guidelines in the department’s activity is formation of Stavropol city’s positive image. At present the department specialists take part in preparation for the All-Russian competition on favourable urban environment creation which was organized by the RF Ministry for Regional Development this year. They studied the cities Penza’s and Orenburg’s experience on participation in “The best organized city of Russia” competition in 2008 and introduced it to the Stavropol city administration economic development and trade committee. The proposals were put forward into the Plan of events on Stavropol’s participation in the All-Russian competition on favourable urban environment creation.

International and interregional relations department analyzed and generalized the best foreign and Russian practices on the issues of urban spaces landscaping. Informational materials on the international experience of holding festivals and exhibitions on green spaces arrangement and landscaping were submitted to the Stavropol city administration structural units. Three variants of holding festivals on floral spaces arrangement and landscaping were worked out. The proposals were put forward on the landscaping exhibition arrangement in the city of Stavropol.

The department staff took part in the preparatory work for the city competition for the best planning and floral designing of the enterprises’ territories. The proposals were worked out on the competition arrangement. The department carried out informational and analytical support of the Stavropol city administration activity on the international and interregional relations issues.