The International Programs Office (IPO) is responsible for implementing the international activities of the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). It manages projects worth $19 million, of which $4 million was implemented in 2002. It has 14 employees in Toronto and 13 abroad. CUIs international vision and mandate were initially set forth in the 1988 feasibility study that led to the establishment of the Institute. This feasibility study included extensive consultations with municipalities, senior government agencies, universities and other urban organizations across the country, as well as with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and potential overseas partners. One of the main conclusions of that study was that there was a growing demand for international cooperation devoted to promoting excellence in the governance and management of urban regions. Too few Canadian organizations were engaged in direct city-to-city linkages, especially those involving practical projects and capacity building for local authorities. Based on this finding, the Institute was created to play a major role in filling this gap in Canada and addressing this need internationally.
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