Mayor of Victoria Round Table

The CCCJ hosted a coffee meeting on November 18, 2013 to discuss Mayor Fortin’s Russian and Japanese mission, and to speak about the concept of the ‘Glocal’ Economy – municipalities taking on local issues in a global or international forum.  Together with Chambers of Commerces around the world, Mayors have access to international cities, lending support to educational institution’s agreements, opening doors to business sectors, facilitating cultural exchanges, all supported by relationship building that has taken place over many years through Twin City agreements or simply the common issues municipal governments share.

The City of Victoria has long standing twinning relationships with Morioka, Japan (1985) and Khabarovsk, Russia (1988). These relationships have resulted in educational opportunities for young people, exchanges between sports teams, twinning relationships between the local Chamber of Commerce and the local TV stations, and remarkable exchanges of cultural activities. Twenty five plus years is a long time to get to know one another and the bond is strong.