FCM International Program
CAMA PARTNERS WITH FCM ON INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS – EXPERTISE NEEDED NOW
The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) will work with the International Department of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCMI) to promote and facilitate the involvement of Canadian municipalities in FCMI’s programming. The program will connect municipal professionals in Canada with emerging countries around the world in an effort to provide technical assistance. Municipal expertise is required immediately in Haiti and the Ukraine.
A Memorandum of Understanding related to this important effort was coordinated by Mr. Kelly Daniels, CAMA’s Chair of International Relations, and signed by Chris MacPherson, CAMA President and Mr. Tim Kehoe, Director of FCMI.
FCMI provides capacity building support to municipalities and local government associations in emerging countries around the world. FCMI programs would benefit from the establishment of a link with municipal professionals in Canada to provide technical assistance overseas on a volunteer basis in specific areas of expertise such as municipal management, strategic planning, economic development, organizational development, etc. FCMI programs would benefit from the engagement of employed and retired municipal administrators as program needs range from short (one to two week missions) to long term (one to three month) contracts.
CAMA identified, through member surveys, in the 2008-2011 Strategic Plan the desirability for member services to include International Exchange Programs and access to professional development opportunities. Also, during the 2009 CAMA Conference held in Whistler, a meeting was held between FCM officials, representatives from the Provincial Associations and CAMA Board members, wherein it was agreed that these parties could provide support to FCMI in fulfilling its international programming mandate.
This service is available to all CAMA members who are currently employed or retired and would be interested in participating in specialized short, medium, and long term assignments as outlined in the international section of the FCM website.
Municipal expertise is currently required for the following FCM programs:
- Reconstruction Efforts in Haiti. FCM is looking for municipal volunteers with a range of expertise in urban planning, solid waste management, surface water drainage, sanitation, transportation, housing, etc. The ability to speak French, Creole and/or Spanish will be considered an asset. For more information visit the FCM website at http://www.fcm.ca/english/View.asp?mp=880&x=1245
- Ukraine. From 2010 to 2015, FCM will implement a new $17-million, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded program in Ukraine. Canadian municipal experts are required to implement the Ukraine Municipal Local Economic Development Program (MLED) project in a peer-to-peer environment under the auspices of FCM. For more information: http://www.fcm.ca/english/View.asp?mp=1&x=1250
If you are interested in participating in the above-noted programs, please register directly on the FCM website as outlined above.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Chris MacPherson
CAMA President
