Atlanta Hosts Global Economic Development Conference
Mayor Shirley Franklin joined senior economic development officials, mayors and vice mayors from 11 of Atlanta’s sister cities for the first-ever Economic Development Global Partnership Conference, held last week at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
The 2-day conference provided an opportunity for national, municipal leaders to share best practices for urban economic development. It was hosted by the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission (ASCC) and CIFAL-Atlanta, the only North American affiliate of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). For more information, visit CIFAL-Atlanta.
The conference launched with an international mayors’ panel. Mayor Franklin presented a model for Atlanta’s successful public-private partnerships, dating back to the late 1800s. “The success of many City of Atlanta programs is contributed to our partnerships with the private sector,” Mayor Franklin said.
Sister city participants included Ancient Olympia, Greece; Daegu, South Korea; Fukuoka, Japan; Lagos, Nigeria; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nuremberg, Germany; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Ra’anana, Israel; Salcedo, Dominican Republic; Toulouse, France; Taipei, Taiwan; and Tbilisi, Georgia. Other non-sister cities in attendance included Bangalore, India; Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; and Dalian and Ningbo in China.
“The sister cities program plays a significant role in the political life of a city,” said Mayor Franklin. “These unique relationships bridge the political leadership between administrations. It is critical for the initiatives and programs that we develop together to have that continuity for the residents that we serve.”
In 2004, the City of Atlanta developed a five-year initiative to explore and develop new business ties and investment opportunities with its 18 sister-cities. For more information, visit Atlanta’s sister cities program.
During the two-day Global Economic Development Conference, Mayor Shirley Franklin led an international mayors’ panel on public-private partnerships. Pictured: Mayor Franklin is introduced by CIFAL-Atlanta executive director, Axel Leblois at conference opening.
Mayor Shirley Franklin (pictured center) joined mayors, vice mayors and economic development officials from 11 of Atlanta’s sister cities for the first-ever Global Economic Development Conference, hosted by the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission.
As part of the first-ever Global Economic Development Conference, the City of Atlanta hosted a reception at City Hall celebrating the diverse culture of conference attendees.Pictured: Clelia Montes and Magic Caribbean, from the Dominican Republic, perform for conference attendees. |
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Rehabilitative Courts Program Helps Women Beat Addiction, Begin New Lives
Last week the Community Court, a division of the Municipal Court of Atlanta, celebrated the reinstatement of the Women for Women program with a ceremony that honored present program participants and former graduates who completed its in-custody drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Since 1999, the Women for Women program has served sentenced female offenders at the Atlanta City Detention Center. Women in the program have either been mandated to attend by the courts, or join voluntarily. With the support of a trained, in-house clinical team, they confront past destructive behaviors – typically drug and alcohol abuse – and replace them with new, productive behaviors.
The highlight of the “Revival 2006” celebration was testimonials from present and former Women for Women participants. City of Atlanta representatives present included Chief Judge Deborah Greene; Judge Clinton Deveaux, presiding judge of the Community Court; and Corrections Chief Tom Pocock.
In 2002, budget constraints forced the City to suspend the program. With support from Mayor Shirley Franklin, Chief Pocock and others, it was reinstated in 2005. Graduates have gone on to live fulfilling lives as substance abuse counselors; earned higher education degrees; become entrepreneurs; and re-united with their families.
“This program is proof-positive that rehabilitation versus punishment works and can stop the revolving doors of recidivism,” said Debra Rasouliyan, director of Women for Women program.
For more information, visit the Women for Women Program.
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“Atlanta Reads” Wins Regional Education Award
City-wide literacy program, “Atlanta Reads: One Book, One Community,” recently received the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) CREATE Community Award in the Educational Excellence category.
The CREATE Community award program was created in 2004 to recognize local government leadership, excellence and innovation. Award categories include community involvement/community building; regional prosperity; educational excellence; air quality and transportation and environmental sustainability.
Winners will be recognized at ARC’s annual State of the Region Breakfast on November 17, 2006. The innovative programs, individuals and organizations honored will be featured in a publication that will be distributed to local government staff and elected officials across the metro region.
"It is very exciting and fulfilling for the City of Atlanta to receive this honor in the inaugural year of the Atlanta Reads program," said Camille Love, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs.
“Atlanta Reads” was announced by Mayor Shirley Franklin at the annual State of the City address, held in January, 2006. The program launched in May with novel “Run with the Horsemen” by Fayetteville, Ga., author, Ferrol Sams. The first-ever “Atlanta Reads Week” was held September 3-10, and included book discussions throughout metro Atlanta led by Sams and the “Atlanta Reads” steering committee.
For more information, visit Atlanta Reads: One Book, One Community.
“Atlanta Reads: One Book, One Community” launched in May 2006 with novel, Run With the Horsemen. |
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Mayor Franklin Meets One-on-One with APS seniors
Mayor Shirley Franklin recently met with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) seniors from The New Schools of Carver and Grady High School for the first ‘Meet with the Mayor’ session for the 2006-07 “Atlanta Promise” public education program.
Held at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA), students met with Mayor Franklin to discuss their future aspirations and to ask for assistance in achieving their goals. Students participated in a college and job fair, interviewed for summer internships and attended workshops on financial literacy, essay writing and goal-setting. They also received assistance with filling out college applications.
Since 2005, the “Atlanta Promise” program has assisted hundreds of APS seniors’ with their transition from high school to their next phase in life. Whether they want to attend college or learn a technical trade, the “Atlanta Promise” has programs for all seniors who are willing to stay engaged with AWDA staff throughout their senior year.
The next ‘Meet with the Mayor’ session will be held on November 4, at AWDA, located at 818 Pollard Blvd., Atlanta, 30315. The students who will meet with Mayor Franklin are from North Atlanta and Southside High Schools. For more information, visit the “Atlanta Promise” program.
Students from The New Schools of Carver and Grady High School join Mayor Shirley Franklin for the first “Meet with the Mayor” session of the 2006-07 Atlanta Promise program. |
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City Department “Rallies” for After School Programs
The City of Atlanta’s Office of Recreation recently joined the nation in celebrating the seventh annual “Lights On After School Rally” by showcasing its many after-school locations throughout the city.
On October 12, more than 300 youth from the City of Atlanta’s 33 recreation centers converged on the Ben Hill Recreation Center for the “Lights on After School Rally.” The rally celebrates the importance of structured after-school programming and gave youth an opportunity to showcase the skills and talents they’ve developed in their after school programs.
“Our participation in this annual event reinforces our strong commitment to the youth of Atlanta and highlights the cultural, educational and athletic programming the Office of Recreation is proud to offer during those critical hours between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.,” said Charlene Braud, director of the Office of Recreation.
In a symbol of solidarity, participating schools and recreation centers left lights on after hours. This gave neighbors, parents and the community an opportunity to see the many after-school locations throughout the city.
The Office of Recreation has offered after-school programming for over 40 years. Through its Recreation After School Program (RAP), the department provides after school care for children ages 6 -16. RAP includes tutorial and homework sessions, athletics and access to arts and cultural activities.
For more information about the City of Atlanta’s after-school programs and locations, please contact Vivian Davis at 404.817.6765 or visit our website.
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The City of Atlanta, like many of its private sector counterparts, now offers employees a place to exercise at work. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage where you can find out more about the fitness center at City Hall.
This is just one of the many videos you can view on the VOD page. Video clips include many of the programs you see on City Channel 26, like news conferences, groundbreakings and other events, as well as special programs that profile City departments and services.
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Rave Reviews!
- The City of Atlanta recognizes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the City of Atlanta partnered with the American Cancer Society to turn Woodruff Park’s central fountain pink – the official color for breast cancer awareness. |
- The City of Atlanta’s public education program, “The Atlanta Promise,” recently received a $25,000 donation from Washington Mutual to support Atlanta Public Schools (APS) seniors with their transition from high school to the next phase of their lives. Deborah Lum, executive director of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) accepted the award on behalf of the program. “The Atlanta Promise would not be successful without the assistance of Atlanta’s business community and partners like Washington Mutual, who make the scholarships, employment, and other financial assistance that Next Step students receive possible,” said Lum. In 2006, more than 1,100 APS graduating seniors participated in “The Atlanta Promise.” Of those, 570 received paid summer internships in fields pursuant to their career goals and over $950,000 in scholarships were awarded to cover students’ unmet college needs. For more information, visit the “Atlanta Promise” program.
Deborah Lum, executive director of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA), accepts a $25,000 donation on behalf of “The Atlanta Promise” program. AWDA manages “The Atlanta Promise”, a public education program for Atlanta’s high school seniors. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
In Atlanta, every day is an opening day … Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 28 from noon- 10 p.m. in Atlantic Station. Oktoberfest is an annual, Bavarian cultural festival featuring German beer, music and food. General admission tickets are $7.50. For more information on Oktoberfest and other Atlantic Station events, click here.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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