Politicians need to be recognized and participate more in the network. Locally elected leaders need to do what we say, and this must be reflected in the structure of the organization. The participation process is natural, we just need to organize it. Francisco Toajas Mayor of Las Cabezas de San Juan and Chair of the UCLG Working Group on Local Economic Development
We need to know what is happening in our cities, so that we can gather wisdom for our consultations and campaigns. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi Secretary General of UCLG Africa
UCLG's role in advocacy is to say to States that nothing should be done in territories without consulting the Mayor. We must set up a consultation platform with international partners to better integrate local actors. Célestine Ketcha Courtès Mayor of Bangangté, President of REFELA and Vice-President of UCLG Standing Committee on Gender Equality
As a member of UCLG and Metropolis, Guangzhou, through its International Award on Urban Innovation, hopes to replicate good practices in other cities of the world. Liu Baochun Director General, Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office
23 UCLG RETREAT AND CAMPUS 2017
We still witness the devastating consequences of conflicts worldwide. We made an important step in Bogotá with the formal Peace Prize. But in our strategic priorities, the word ‘peace’ is not yet clearly mentioned. Peter Knip Director, VNG International, Chair of UCLG Working Group on Capacity and Institution Building