City Leaders Go Abroad: A Survey of City Diplomacy in 47 Cities

ABSTRACT

Cities are playing an increasingly prominent role on the global policy stage, and in the process have established moreformalised international engagements. However, there is an incomplete understanding about the types and levels of capacity needed for such engagement. This study offers an examination of the underpinnings of “city diplomacy”. It confirms that cities recognise the importance of city diplomacy but also lack necessary resources to fulfill the commitments they make to global agendas . The article calls for action on three fronts : more effective training, formalised multilateral engagement , and stronger city-level diplomatic capacity.

摘要

城市在全球政策舞台上发挥着越来越突出的作用，并在此过程中建立了更加正式的国际交往. 然而，对这种参与所需的能力类型和水平还没有完全的了解. 这项研究提供了一个检查的基础上，“城市外交”. 它证实了城市认识到城市外交的重要性，但也缺乏必要的资源来履行对全球议程的承诺. 文章呼吁在三个方面采取行动：更有效的培训、正式的多边接触和更强的市级外交能力.

KEYWORDS:

• City diplomacy
• international engagement
• urban governance
• capacity building
• global agendas

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this research was received from Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the University of Melbourne.