Agenda of Economic Development & Communications Committee Meeting

Item No. 6.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Economic Development & Communications Committee Meeting

Page 7

22/11/2018

REPORT TITLE: International Relationships Update

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Economic Development Project Officer

Associate Director City Economy, Tourism and Events

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report provides an update to new committee and Council members on the City of Hobart’s five international relationships.

1.2. It also introduces a number of school students and teachers who have derived benefits from the City’s international relationships since the last progress report to Council in April 2018. These community members will share some of their experiences.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The City of Hobart has five international relationships - two sister cities, two friendship cities and a commitment to a place to explore potential joint projects.

2.2. The two sister city relationships are the oldest, they are with:

· Yaizu (Japan) established in 1977.

· L’Aquila (Italy) established in 1997.

2.3. The City also has two friendship city relationships. The phrase ‘friendship city’ is the terminology favoured in China. The main difference between a sister and a friendship city is that in the context of China, a clause is written into the friendship agreement that enables either city to leave the relationship at a five year point.

Hobart’s two friendship cities are:

· Xi’an established in 2015

· Fuzhou established in 2017

2.4. Hobart’s most recent relationship is with the village of Balibó in Timor-Leste. A commitment was made by Council in April 2018 to a long term relationship with Balibó. An early part of this commitment is identifying joint projects that can be delivered with the involvement and for the benefit of both communities.

2.5. The success of the City’s international relationships is measured against the International Relations Action Plan (Attachment A). This was first developed in 2016.

2.6. International activities are reported annually against the International Relations Action Plan (IRAP). The opportunity is also taken to analyse the currency and effectiveness of the IRAP at this time.

2.7. There have been a number of connections between Hobart and its sister / friendship cities since the last report to Council in April 2018.

2.8. Teachers and students from Hutchins School, St Mary’s College and Mount Carmel College will present to committee their recent experiences with Xi’an, Fuzhou and Yaizu.

2.9. Although the presentations from the community have focussed on educational exchanges, a number of other projects are being investigated which include:

· Community participation in a dragon boat festival in Fuzhou.

· Youth soccer exchanges with Yaizu.

· Cultural and language scholarships with L’Aquila.

· Water and re-usable bottle initiative with Balibó.

· Business opportunities with Yaizu.

· An art exhibition in Hobart by artists from Xi’an.

· Collaborative public arts projects with all cities.

3. Recommendation

That the Council receive the report provided on the City’s international relationships.

4. Background

4.1. The modern concept of a sister city or city twinning arose at the end of the Second World War. It was intended to help foster understanding between culturally distinct places that may have been at opposition during the war. City twinning was an act of peace and reconciliation that focussed on promoting cultural and economic ties.

4.2. Today, the City of Hobart has five international relationships ranging from 41 years of age to less than one. A brief summary of each follows:

Yaizu - Japan – Established in 1977

4.3. The origins of this relationship are economic. Hobart was the home port for the Yaizu tuna fishing fleet that would dock, re-fuel and re-stock whilst fishing in the Southern Ocean.

4.4. This relationship has evolved since the early days and is based predominantly on cultural and knowledge exchange.

4.5. Highlights of the relationship are:

· Japanese garden in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

· Hobart Street named in Yaizu and vice versa.

· Stall at Taste of Tasmania 2012 selling Japanese food and beverages.

· Tasmanian products stocked in supermarkets in Yaizu.

· Student exchanges that have occurred annually for 29 years (Mount Carmel College will present their experiences of this).

· Boats from Yaizu exhibited at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2011.

· 5 visits and free community performances from the Yurikamome Children’s Choir.

· Active sister city committees in both Hobart and Yaizu.

4.6. Projects in planning are an annual soccer exchange commencing in 2019, art collaboration, horticulturalist exchange with Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, a basketball player from Hobart playing a season in Yaizu and business connections in the tea and seafood industries.

L’Aquila - Italy – Established in 1997

4.7. This relationship was initiated and is supported by the local Hobart Abruzzese Association which is very active. The association represents community members who moved to Hobart from the Abruzzo region of Italy, of which L’Aquila is the capital. Highlights of this relationship include:

· Performance in Hobart by 41 members of the L’Aquila A Cappella Choir in 2005.

· 2005 exhibition in L’Aquila of ceramics from Hobart.

· Earthquake relief funds raised by the Hobart community and sent to L’Aquila following a devastating earthquake in 2009 and smaller earthquakes in 2016 and 2017.

· Reception at Town Hall Hobart held to mark the 20^th anniversary of the relationship and attended by the majority of the Abruzzese Association and other members of the Italian community.

4.8. L’Aquila is still very much in the process of rebuilding its city after the devastating earthquake of 2009 that killed 309 people and left 40,000 homeless. For this reason, in L’Aquila funding to support sister city activities is limited.

4.8.1. The City of Hobart continue to investigate joint projects such as a scholarship for a young person in Hobart of Abruzzi descent to visit L’Aquila for language and cultural development.

Xi’an - China – Established in 2015

4.9. Referred to as the ‘natural history museum’ of China, Xi’an is steeped in cultural and historical sites, the most famous being the Terracotta Army.

4.10. Xi’an has a population of around 12 million and is the ancient Chinese capital with a history that goes back 3000 years.

4.11. Despite the population size, Xi’an demonstrates excellent infrastructure, with limited traffic, clean streets and well maintained assets such as parks and public buildings.

4.12. Xi’an was the start of the ancient Silk Road and has been named the start of President Xi Jinping’s new Silk Road.

4.13. Highlights of this relationship have been in the area of educational exchange. Both Hutchins and Mount Carmel schools have established a relationship with the Xi’an Foreign Language School. Hutchins School will provide a presentation on their experiences.

4.14. The University of Tasmania also has strong links with the Xi’an Conservatorium of Music and the Xi’an University of Science and Technology who have collaborated to deliver a 2+2 degree in Engineering (2 years in Xi’an and 2 years in Hobart).

4.15. Future projects include an art collaboration to create a piece of public art in each city, an exhibition of an artist from Xi’an in Hobart and cultural and economic opportunities arising from the status of Xi’an as the start of the new Silk Road.

Fuzhou - China – Established in 2017

4.16. Fuzhou is the capital of the Fujian Province which is the sister state of Tasmania since 1981. President Xi Jinping was the Governor of the Fujian Province and in that role signed a joint statement with the then Premier Jim Bacon on the 20^th anniversary of the sister state agreement. It is thought that this connection with Tasmania resulted in the visit by President Xi in 2014 which has been the most significant event in the relationship between Tasmania and China to date.

4.17. Fuzhou has a population of around 8 million people and is a coastal city providing access to Taiwan and the south-east coast of China. Its strengths lie in the sectors of electronics, textiles, machinery manufacturing, food processing and energy.

4.18. One of UTAS’ very early relationships in China was with Minjiang University in Fuzhou.

4.19. Highlights of the relationship to date are:

· Signing of friendship city agreement in Fuzhou to coincide with a performance by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

· Funded placement by the Fuzhou Foreign and Overseas Affairs Office of a staff member in the Economic Development Division of the City of Hobart for six months.

· Sister school relationship between St Mary’s College and Fuzhou No. 18 Middle School (St Mary’s will present on the benefits of this).

· Free community performance by highly acclaimed dancers and singers from the Fujian Province on Parliament Lawns in 2016.

4.20. Projects currently being investigated include:

· Sending a Dragon Boat team to Fuzhou in June 2019 to collaborate with a local team to enter a dragon boat tournament.

· Sending a youth soccer team to Fuzhou in late 2019 to take part in a sister city tournament.

· Fuzhou attending the 2019 Australian Wooden Boat Festival with a view to bringing vessels to the 2021 festival.

Balibó - Timor-Leste – Commitment made in 2018

4.21. Council on 3 March 2016 at a workshop held on international relations expressed their interest in Hobart establishing a relationship with a place in the Asia-Pacific region that was based on community development outcomes.

4.22. A report was brought back to Council in December 2016 examining a number of options. Council favoured a relationship with Timor-Leste which led to significant desk research and collaboration with the Timor-Leste Friendship Network that identified an opportunity in the village of Balibó.

4.23. Council resolved on 4 December 2017 to support a small delegation visiting Timor-Leste in January 2018 on a fact finding mission. This was in conjunction with Dr Nitin Verma - Honorary Consul to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Tasmania visiting his eye clinic in Timor-Leste.

4.24. Following this visit, Council on 23 April 2018 resolved to commit to a long term relationship with the village of Balibó.

4.25. Timor-Leste’s first peaceful election took place in 2017, followed by nearly 12 months of political deadlock resulting from a minority government being elected. In January 2018 the President called for an early election which resulted in a majority party being elected in May 2018. A number of ministers are yet to be agreed including the Minister for Local Government. It is thought that this has slowed a response from Balibó. Council officers are researching potential projects that may be of interest to Balibó in the meantime.

International Relations Action Plan

4.26. Hobart’s international relationships are guided and measured by the International Relations Action Plan (IRAP).

The IRAP (attachment A) is split into four outcome areas. These reflect the diverse nature of international relationships and are knowledge, culture, economic and civic.

4.27. Each of the City’s relationships differ in nature and this is reflected in the IRAP that sets out specific actions and desired outcomes for each.

4.28. The IRAP is reported against annually and part of this reporting process is to evaluate the plan and ensure that it is current and relevant. Minor changes have been made to the plan both in 2017 and 2018.

4.29. The most recent report against the IRAP was to the Economic Development and Communications Committee on 19 April 2018.

4.30. A project was proposed by Alderman Thomas to Council on 4 December 2017 seeking to comprehensively reconsider the way in which the City measures the value both qualitatively and quantitatively of its international relationships. This is in response to increased questioning from the community about the value of international relationships when considered against the costs they incur.

4.31. Council supported Alderman Thomas’ attendance at the Sister Cities Australia (SCA) AGM in December 2017 to discuss a potential involvement in this project for SCA.

4.32. A decision on whether to proceed with the project was deferred by Council on 4 June 2018 until after the elections and pending a further report (to be brought to Council in the first quarter of 2019) scoping the project in more detail (including cost).

4.33. There is also a policy that guides decision making relating to international relationships. The ‘Guidelines for Future International Relationships’ is Attachment B to this report.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that Council receive the report providing background on the City’s international relationships as well as some of the benefits experienced by community members over the last 6 months.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. Delivery against the current IRAP and continued improvement with respect to the way in which the City of Hobart measures the value of its international relationships is in line with the following Council strategy:

Capital City Strategic Plan (2015 - 2025) Goal 1 - Economic Development, Vibrancy and Culture “City growth vibrancy and culture comes when everyone participates in city life”:

“1.1.2 Support the University of Tasmania’s continued growth within the city.

1.1.5 Implement the City of Hobart’s Economic Development Strategy.

1.1.6 Develop relationships with other cultural and educational institutions as opportunities arise.

1.2.2 Partner with stakeholders to promote Hobart as a safe and culturally receptive city with a quality urban and natural environment.

1.2.3 Develop a policy position on international relations.

1.2.4 Support the Council’s existing sister city relationships with Yaizu, L’Aquila and Xi’an and respond to new opportunities.”

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. Council should note that no budget has been allocated for international travel for the 2018/2019 financial year.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. Nil

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. Nil

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. The International Relations Action Plan is a non-binding document.

8.2. The nature of friendship / sister city relationships is also non-binding.

9. Environmental Considerations

9.1. The environmental impact of aviation cannot be disputed, with air travel contributing significant greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change. A small proportion of this can be mitigated through the purchase of a ‘carbon offset’ at the time of buying tickets.

9.2. Trips combining visits to a number of cities reduce the necessity for multiple long haul flights which is an economy of scale both economically and environmentally.

9.3. The friendship cities of Xi’an and Fuzhou have expressed the desire to examine ways in which they can learn from some of the exemplar environmental practices in Tasmania around generation of energy and the protection of the environment.

9.4. It is likely that some of the projects in Balibó will centre on improving waste and recycling practices.

10. Social and Customer Considerations

10.1. It is of social importance that the City of Hobart fosters a diverse selection of international relationships based on geography, industry and nature of outcomes (community, culture, economic).

10.2. Establishing sister or friendship city agreements facilitates a broader local understanding and appreciation for different cultures and communities.

10.3. Fostering these relationships is also a powerful and respectful message to people within the community who have close cultural ties with the cities in question.

10.4. The community may question the value of international relations if the City of Hobart does not continue to continuously consider the way in which it measures and reports this information and involves the community in maximising opportunities arising.

11. Marketing and Media

11.1. The City Marketing Unit contributions to marketing collateral such as investor and international student brochures may be sought alongside other key partners.

11.2. The way in which Aldermen and officers conduct their work overseas contributes to the Tasmanian brand internationally.

11.3. A number of innovative and interesting ideas in relation to Hobart’s international relationships have come from the community to date. It is therefore paramount that community awareness of these relationships continues to be raised.

12. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

12.1. The IRAP was amended in 2017 following consultation with:

- Hobart Chamber of Commerce

- Officer of the Fuzhou Foreign and Overseas Affairs Office

- Tasmania China Business Association

- Department of State Growth (Tasmanian Government)

- Austrade

- Australia China Business Council (Tasmania)

12.2. The City of Hobart meets every two months at minimum with the Abruzzese Association and every three months with the Council coordinated Yaizu Sister City Committee. At least fortnightly email / WeChat contact is made with officers in Fuzhou and Xi’an. A new Mayor and officer team were elected recently in L’Aquila and the City of Hobart is building a relationship with them.

12.3. At least monthly contact / meetings / discussions occur in relation to the developing relationship in Timor-Leste.

13. Delegation

13.1. This matter is one for the Economic Development and Communications Committee.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Lucy Knott

Economic Development Project Officer

Tim Short

Associate Director City Economy, Tourism and Events

Date: 16 November 2018

File Reference: F18/130460

Attachment a: International Relations Action Plan - 19 April 2018 ⇩

Attachment b: City of Hobart Policy - Guidelines for Future International Relationships ⇩

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