Strong Cities Network co hosting AGM proposal

The London CONTEST Board has initially taken forward membership of the Strong Cities Network (SCN) on behalf of the Mayor of London. The SCN represents an exciting and innovative partner to enhance London’s ability to counter violent extremism as well as offering a tangible program to demonstrate City Hall’s engagement internationally on an issue dominating politics and policy at present.

This document outlines proposals for the first annual Global Training and Collaboration Summit for the Strong Cities Network which is to be co-hosted by the City of Paris and the City of London in March 2016. This would be a powerful expression of partnership and cooperation between the two largest European capitals on issues relating to building social cohesion and resilience to violent extremism.

The DMPC is ask to approve the proposed annual Global Training and Collaboration Summit between the City of Paris and the City of London to be held in March 2016.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. The Strong Cities Network (SCN) holds ambition to be a global network, connecting cities and other local authorities, to help protect communities by building resilience and strengthening social cohesion countering violent extremism.

1.2. It is backed by the US State Department and administered in the UK by the Institute of Strategic Dialogue.

1.3. The SCN is being guided by a 25-member International Steering Committee of mayors and city leaders, including London, providing strategic direction and guidance on the annual work plans and activities of the SCN.

1.4. The SCN Global Training and Collaboration Workshops will have a strong focus on practical training and sharing best practice approaches. The key aims of the GTCW will be to:

- Showcase Local Projects: provide a platform for city representatives to showcase new promising initiatives that might be transferred or applied across local authorities.
- Hold Innovation and Training Workshops: highlight specific areas of local innovation and provide specific and detailed training in the area of preventing violent extremism and de-radicalization.
- Provide a Global Networking Forum: provide an opportunity for city representatives to connect and share best practice with similar representatives from across the globe on issues of countering violent extremism.
- Enable an Advocacy Platform: provide a forum for city representatives to share views on the evolving role of local authorities in preventing violent extremism and some of the challenges facing local authorities specifically in this area policy and practice.
1.5. The London CONTEST Board continues to develop areas of work to strengthen London’s response to CVE. They key area of focus is building and supporting the response of Local Authorities and other agencies such as Education and Health following their obligations under the statutory duty. The SCN is focused at upskilling and supporting municipal, local authority agencies and as such it is felt that the SCN is a natural fir to our goals in strengthening and keeping London safe from violent extremism.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The Global Summit currently has allocated funding from the US State Department and the City of Paris. It is suggested the City of London, as co-host of the Annual Global Summit, would contribute to support the flights and hotels for additional participants, in particular representatives from Commonwealth countries and other foreign-assistance eligible countries.

2.2. It is proposed for consideration that post conference a working meeting is held between London and Paris representatives to include borough mayors, as well as city level Prevent / CVE coordinators. It is envisaged that this would be held in the Summer 2016 and would give the new London Mayor a chance to highlight London’s role in the Strong Cities Network.

2.3. A formal twining arrangement to be discussed between our cities on CVE. It is worth considering that this would complement some of the close working between the London and Paris business communities evident through the work of groups such as London First.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. We estimate the cost to be £19,500 (as detailed in the table below) the cost of which can be met form existing resourses.

3.2. As a co-host to the Global Summit and co financer, the City of London would receive:

• Co-branding on conference-related materials, press releases and report (at differing levels depending on scale of involvement and contribution)
• Mayoral or Deputy Mayoral quote in all press releases
• Keynote plenary speech alongside Mayor Hidalgo to open the Summit
• Ability to inform and contribute to the content and activities at the Global Summit
• London representatives leading workshop.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. There are no legal implications

5. Equality Comments

5.1. There are no direct equality and diversity implications