A delegation from the department of La Guajira, located in northern Colombia, visited the facilities of the Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area – ACI Medellín. Their purpose was to approach ACI Medellín’s work methodology, exchanging knowledge, experiences and best practices, as well as analyzing the possibility of replicating the ACI Medellín’s model in the newly created Agency in La Guajira.

The formulation, design and start-up of this entity were an initiative of the government of La Guajira which started since 2018. It started operating nearly two months ago and will focus on the attraction of cooperation and national and foreign investment.

“We are currently in a training process to learn about what we should and should not do in terms of best practices. La Guajira has several challenges and many objectives to be met. Which is why we want to learn from those who have more experience,” said Iván José Riveira, responsible for the execution of investment proposals in the Cooperation and Investment Agency of La Guajira.

On the other hand, the representative of the Departmental Administration of La Guajira, Eliécer Barros, said that cooperation contributors have been disjointedly working and separated from the Administration. “This is an initiative which seeks to regulate the actions of cooperation contributors to make them much more efficient. The department action is very limited due to its resources, for that reason, the idea is to learn how to do more with less.”

The visit of the delegation to Medellín is part of a round of meetings they will have with other investment promotion agencies around the country to learn the best lessons from each.

“After seeing the actions of ACI Medellín, I began to seize the tasks we have to do. We know it is a long way we are beginning, and we want to start with the best guide. In that sense, you are a national reference; In fact, the change of the image of Medellín has been the model to be followed by the country. Although, as a coastal region we have different dynamics, we want to learn to communicate and change a bit the image of the Colombian Caribbean region,” Barros said.

Between October 4 to 5, the Ambassador of the European Union in Colombia, Patricia Llombart, visits Medellín for the first time to deepening relations with the city and the department of Antioquia. They will focus on analyzing business opportunities and investment in the framework of the EU-Colombia Trade Agreement after five years of implementation.

The mission will also address cooperation issues such as education, tourism, environment and press freedom within the framework of the Gabriel García Márquez Award and Festival of journalism.

ACI Medellín and the Embassy coordinated a work agenda which included meetings with: representatives of the binational chambers of commerce of the European, organizations such as Procolombia, Proantioquia, Metropolitan Area of ​​the Aburra Valley, Analdex and Agrofuturo, among other. Likewise, the Ambassador had the opportunity to talk with the Mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga about the cooperation and investment possibilities in the city.

“We want to promote business contacts and find ways to advance an agenda between the E.U. and Antioquia. These new opportunities are accompanied by a European commitment to sustainable rural development in Colombia; a strong support for the peace process; the generation of employment; the protection of human rights and support for the competitiveness and development of small and medium company,” explained Ambassador Llombart.

About Ambassador Patricia Llombart

“Jurist and Euro-enthusiast by conviction. She was born in Valencia, Spain and did her master’s degrees in international trade and European studies. Llombart has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of international relations and foreign policy in the European Union. She has worked in the directorates for Latin America and the Middle East and oversaw Mercosur countries, Iran and Iraq; Gulf and Yemen Cooperation. The Ambassador was also part of the Cabinet of the Vice-President of the Commission and of the European Commissioner in charge of external relations. In her most recent position, before being appointed Ambassador in Colombia, she was Director of Infrastructure, Budget and Security at the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS). Source: Embassy of the European Union in Colombia.

Friendship is feeling comfortable, talking and sharing with others. In Medellin and Barcelona’s case, ​​this friendship was born with a particular interest: to offer and provide to each other. It grew over time, up to the point that even new friendships in pursuit of decentralized cooperation works have been born from it.

It has been more than 17 years in which Medellín has learned from Barcelona ​​through the exchange of models of government management and the strengthening of local governance: libraries, markets, urban habitat, education, social rights, entrepreneurship, are some of the several experiences that Global City has shared with the capital of Antioquia

There is more than one way in which Cooperation is materialized. Barcelona has seen in Medellín the abilities of an applied student, that who learned the lesson and is ready to share his experiences with the world. For this reason, Barcelona has called on Medellín to cooperate with the development of other cities, such was the case of the triangular cooperation developed with Havana (Cuba) in 2014, when they joined forces to teach their experience on urban planning and international cooperation.

Medellin and Barcelona still have a long way to go together, because friendships grown over the years, even if they are kilometers away. At the end, strong and lasting friendships are those that transcend borders despite the difficulties.

On Thursday, December 14 at 6:30 pm, the Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area will launch the latest issue of Link Magazine and the international cooperation video of the city in the Duque Arango Gallery.

The magazine reports on the development of Medellín in terms of international cooperation and foreign investment over the 15 years of ACI Medellín’s existence.

The event is called Link Magazine “15 years – 15 stories” and is an opportunity to share a space in which ACI Medellín accounts for the results of its 15 years of management. This issue gathers the statements of 15 characters that have influenced the creation, development and growth of the Agency.

It starts with a statement of its founder, then, goes through the entities that make up the Board of Directors of the Agency, the Mayor of Medellin, the City Council, the beneficiaries of international cooperation, international networks, foreign investors, local businessmen and the processes of South-South cooperation in which Medellín is now the main character. This issue also shows a compendium of activities and processes which today make ACI Medellín a leading institution at the national level in terms of internationalization.

In the same event, the international cooperation video of Medellín will be presented. It shows the development proposals the city has implemented with the help of the governments and international institutions.

There will be a special space for the attention to journalists interested in expanding information.

On November 30, Medellín and more than 500 members of the International Association of Educating Cities around the world will celebrate the Educating Cities Day.

Medellin is part of the International Association of Educating Cities (IAEC) since 2017

The celebration seeks to raise awareness on the importance of education in the cities It is also an opportunity to highlight the commitment of local governments to education and encourage citizens to join this important initiative.

This year, Medellín will carry out a campaign in which citizens will be able to express their commitment through messages with their signature on a strategically located mural.

This worldwide celebration will take place on November 30th because on 1990, the Charter of Educating Cities was proclaimed in Barcelona (Spain) by the IAEC.

“Being the only city in Colombia in the AICE is a challenge that drives Medellín to continue working for the most important thing: its people. This celebration reminds us that education is a symbol of transformation and growth, and that the city must continue along this path. I expect a great citizen participation,” said Sergio Escobar, ACI Medellín CEO.

From November 29 to December 1, the XXII MERCOCIUDADES Summit, the most important network of local governments of Mercosur, takes place in Córdoba (Argentina). Carolina Bernal, ACI Medellín Deputy Director of Knowledge Management represented the city in the event and attended the thematic round tables on decentralized cooperation and sustainable development objectives.

Since 1995, Mercociudades aims to favor the participation of governments in the process of regional integration, promote the creation of an institutional environment for the cities of South America and develop horizontal exchange and cooperation.

Statement of Carolina Bernal:

IDB’s Project: Public Goods. Latin American and Caribbean Coalition against Racism, Discrimination, and Xenophobia

At the same time, a follow-up to the IDB’s Regional Public Goods Project took place: Latin American and Caribbean Coalition against Racism, Discrimination, and Xenophobia. Medellin, Montevideo, Quito and Mexico City are part of this coalition. María Alejandra Saleme, Assistant of ACI Medellín’s CEO, represents the city in the General Assembly of this Coalition, in which the progress of the project will be presented.

Statement of Alejandra Saleme

November 29― Today, it’s now one year after the tragedy of the Chapecoense soccer team, an event that shocked the world and strengthened the ties between Chapecó (Brazil) and Medellín (Colombia).

Both cities made this relationship official on May 10, 2017, through a twinning agreement. “The gratitude, solidarity, peace, harmony, respect for differences, overcoming difficulties and friendship, are feelings that will unite us forever, ” said the mayor of Chapecó, Luciano Buligom.

In this twinning, Medellín and Chapecó share a spirit of dialogue, peace and harmony and commit to constantly promote ethics, respect for differences and strengthening the bonds of friendship among its citizens through cultural, social, environmental and economic activities.

The Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area – ACI Medellín is in charge of establishing a permanent dialogue between the authorities of both cities, exploring cooperation opportunities, mainly in territorial planning, mobility, public transport, health and childhood.

Medellín Park in Chapecó

As a tribute to the victims of that tragic accident, a space to contemplate life is built in Chapecó. The Medellín Park will have a viewpoint, fenced boardwalks with benches, flowers, skate parks, public services, fountains, water mirror, flower beds, areas for sculptures and flags and a stage for different leisure and recreational activities.

Even the sky cried

Telemedellín broadcast on Sunday, November 26, the documentary “Hasta el cielo lloró” (Even the sky cried), a story told with the voices of the players, survivors, relatives and lifeguards involved in the tragedy of Chapecoense. It will be retransmitted on Tuesday, November 28 at 10:00 pm.

The mayor of Chapecó thanked the documentary and wrote:

“My brothers from Medellin. On November 29, we celebrated one year of the tragedy that shook all the people of Chapecó.

The tribute broadcasted on Telemedellín, the institutional channel of the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, besides moving us, was a beautiful gesture which only reaffirmed the bond between two sister cities.
 
That is why today, I thank and acknowledge all the love you gave us in that tragic and painful moment.

You embraced us, gave us love, affection and from that moment we began to rebuild ourselves. The world recognizes that Medellín offered its best feelings for the reconstruction not only of Chapecoense, but to all Brazilian people.

Brothers forever. For always fraternity will unite us and in the most difficult moments we will remember the love of all of you.

Thank you very much.

Luciano Buligom
Mayor of Chapecó

Between November 27 and December 1, the Ninth Citizen Security Week will be held in Colombia. The event will be in Bogota and Medellín

The event is organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Vice Presidency of the Republic of Colombia and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (COSUDE)

The Citizen Security Week is the largest regional event on citizen security and justice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its objective is to enable a dialogue and the creation of an exchange platform for program directors, experts, academics and civil society in general interested in issues of prevention and control of violence and crime.

This edition of the event will discuss the challenges faced by the states in the generation of legitimacy and confidence in the implementation of public policies on citizen security.

To this effect, it will be divided in two main components; the first is the Regional Policy Dialogue, which will be held in Bogotá from November 27 to 28. This is a closed-door meeting in which ministers and senior officials from across the region will discuss the challenges and progress made in citizen security and justice policies.

The second component is the Coexistence and Citizen Security Clinic, an activity that will take place in Medellín between November 30 and December 1. It is a space open to the public (previous registration), to exchange technical and specialized knowledge on the subject. The event will conclude with a series of field visits to innovative solutions. These visits require direct invitation from the organization of the event.

Download the event agenda in Medellín here »

Follow the Coexistence and Citizen Security Clinic at  livestream »

more info. here»

Photography: Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá

United States ―  Fort Lauderdale has proclaimed November 21 as Medellín Day. The city honors Medellín on the 56th anniversary of their agreement of friendship and cultural, economic, social and political exchange.

Among the exchange activities, both cities have signed a memorandum of understanding between the Florida Atlantic University and the National University of Colombia, Medellín headquarters; also, there has been several cooperation activities between the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department and the Administrative Department of Disaster Risk Management ― DGRED ― to improve the attention and rescue on disaster situations.

Recently, the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department assisted DGRED in the development of activities to improve its emergency response practices; and in October of this year, a delegation from the Medellín Fire Department made a technical visit to its counterpart in Florida.

In addition, an educational agreement focused on design and social sciences activities was signed between the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees (FAU) and the National University of Colombia (UN) Medellín, to expand their relations of academic cooperation.

The good relations between Medellín and Fort Lauderdale have allowed the improvement of their air connectivity due to the arrival of US airlines Spirit and Jet Blue to the capital of Antioquia, which have direct flights between both cities.

The twinning agreement

In 1961, Fort Lauderdale issued the resolution 8244 in which Medellin is declared its Sister City. For this reason, the former mayor of Medellín J. Jaime Nicholls (1981-1982), presented the keys of the city to the then mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Virginia Young, extolling the exchange of experiences and the good relationship between both cities.

“This recognition is special for Medellín because it shows the consolidation of relationship that has been growing over the years. The dynamics of this twinning have allowed us to exchange best practices and to develop very positive activities with Fort Lauderdale. I am very about the celebration of Medellín’s day in Fort Lauderdale! I hope there are many more exchange and learning opportunities to come” said the Director of ACI Medellín, Sergio Escobar.

Testimony of the mayor of Medellín

Medellín participated in the recent version of the Market for Creative Industries of Argentina, MICA, held in the Cultural Center of Science (C3) in Buenos Aires. From October 6 to 8, this event brought together governments and entrepreneurs from different countries to hold discussions about industries such as the performing arts, audiovisual, design, publishing, music and video games.

MICA (in Spanish) allows entrepreneurs of creative industries to access new business opportunities and expand their sales.

For three days, the city was represented by the Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area, ACI Medellín. This space allowed them to learn about the best practices of the cultural sector and its creative economy.

During the event, 4,000 sectorial business conferences, presentations and workshops were attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs.

This was MICA’s fourth version, the ideal space to learn from creative business and to discuss about the cultural undertakings of the participating countries and other governmental bodies from Argentina.

“In this event we have a two-way exercise in which we get close and cooperate with Argentina. We will show them our experience on urban equipment for culture and our knowledge about their creative industries,” said Diego Vélez, Senior Professional of ACI Medellín.

Medellín participated at the Cities Conference on Wednesday, October 4, at the ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile. The objective was to create a discussion around the relevance of the implementation mechanisms for sustainable urban development, public – private cooperation and urban mobility.

The meeting seeks to implement the New Urban Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean for inclusive, secure, resilient and sustainable cities.

In Panel 5, Sergio Escobar – Executive Director of ACI Medellín – made a presentation entitled: How to finance the implementation of the Regional Action Plan? and another in Session 1: The Challenge of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities. In both spaces, he talked about the experience of Medellín, its transformation process; public-private alliances; the strategy of internationalization and its plan to achieving the goals of sustainable development by the year 2030.

“The participation in these spaces in which cities are the core for the management of development projects is essential for Medellín. All the works to improve the quality of life of citizens and the attention to the challenges of each territory, begin in the cities. In my opinion, the city is the ideal dialogue space to start working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030,” said Sergio Escobar, Executive Director of ACI Medellín.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is the United Nations body responsible for promoting the economic and social development of the region.

Medellín joined UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, thanks to an articulated strategy which places education as an axis to achieve great social transformations. This membership, awarded for the first time to a Colombian city, will allow us to share our knowledge with other capitals of the world and to promote public strategies for development.

During the Third International Conference of the Cities of Learning, held in Cork, Ireland, Mayor Federico Gutierrez Zuluaga highlighted Medellín’s plan by 2030 which has been kept regardless the changes in government. “This plan was developed with universities and the private sector to reduce inequality.”

Being part of this network, reinforces the city’s commitment to fulfill the Sustainable Development Objectives adopted by the UN through actions that, in 70%, depend directly on the Development Plan. One of the most important is to guarantee children and adolescents’ access to education.

“By providing our children and young people with education, we are also giving them the ability to dream, to think that they can get as high as they want,” he said, explaining that education helps reduce hunger, poverty, gender gaps and generates economic progress.

.

UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities highlighted the importance of programs such as Buen Comienzo, which currently serves 74,042 children between 0 and 5 years old. Likewise, they praised the initiative “We Count on You at School,” which has identified 1,600 children who have deserted the education system and helped them to return.

“I have toured around neighborhoods and streets so that our children and young people do not stop studying. We did a door-to-door job and we will continue to do it,” said the Mayor.

In terms of higher education, the mayor of Medellín highlighted the delivery, through Sapiencia, of 2,842 scholarships and credits for training of young people in relevant programs, to facilitate access to the labor world.

Source: Mayor of Medellín (September 18)

Former presidents of Bolivia, Uruguay and Guatemala visited ACI Medellín to expand their knowledge on investment and cooperation in Medellín.

The three former leaders described ACI Medellín as an innovative institution and a model to be replicated in other countries around the continent.

ACI Medellín told the former presidents of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom Ceballos; Bolivia, Carlos D. Mesa Gisbert and Uruguay, Luis Alberto Lacalle its mission and functions. They had the opportunity to ask and learn about the strategic projects of the current municipal administration like the Strategic Plan of the City Center and the construction of the tram of the 80th avenue.

Subsequently, they continued their tour around the city: Starting on the Metro, Ayacucho’s Tramway and the Metrocable Line H to Villa Sierra station. This, brought them closer to the physical interventions of the city. They spoke with the people and understood the impact of these works in the life and development of Medellín.

“I know Medellín since 1994 and today, I found a city totally transformed, evolved and modern. I was impressed by the intervention in the upper parts of the city, the Metro and the cable cars. It is a living city that is going through a transformation process; Also, it is an example to other cities in political and community leadership,” said Álvaro Colom Ceballos, former President of Guatemala.

“Medellín is like the ‘city of the future’ ” because it works for being civilized, productive, modern and safe. I am very happy for having visited the city and I would love that my country and Montevideo were enthusiastic to learn from Medellín,” said Luis Alberto Lacalle, former President of Uruguay.

“Perhaps the most appropriate word for Medellín is ‘kind.’ It is a city will receive you with such spirit and such warmth. Medellín is a city that shows itself as an international example, a friendly city that grows by understanding the fundamental needs of its people,” said former President of Bolivia, Carlos D. Mesa Gisbert.

“It is an honor for ACI Medellín to receive the three former presidents, and to share with them its concept of the city under the light of the Latin American reality and what is happening in their respective countries. A very enriching experience that gives us a different vision from each of their points of view and leadership.” said Sergio Escobar, CEO of ACI Medellín.

The former presidents arrived in the city at the invitation of the Council of Medellín to participate in the “National Meeting of Councilors” held on Monday, August 14 and where each one presented a paper from his experience as Presidents.

On August 22, 2017, Probono Foundation will talk to representatives of NGOs in Antioquia during ACI Medellín Lectures.

This is the third ACI Medellín Lecture in 2017. The first one was on peace and post-conflict issues and the second addressed to alternative communication channels.

As part of its strategy to strengthen and establish cooperation relationships with local allies, ACI Medellín will hold the third ACI Medellín Lecture “Exchange system for donations and resources from abroad,” next Tuesday, August 22 at 8:00 am in the auditorium Plaza de la Libertad (Carrera 54 # 42 -188).

This time, ProBono Foundation will join ACI Medellín’s and will talk about exchange rate regime network. “The representatives of NGOs attending the talk will know the process of legalizing resources arriving from international cooperation to Colombia,” said Juan Esteban Sosa, Regional Coordinator of the Foundation.

The event is open to the public and requires prior registration online [ Click here ]

About ProBono Foundation

ProBono Colombia Foundation is a private, non-profit organization that links those who do not have the resources to access quality legal advice and a team of lawyers from different entities willing to offer their services free of charge. The Foundation has 50 members in Colombia and 7 of them are in Antioquia (Grupo Argos, Bancolombia, Correa Merino & Co. Abogados, Rodríguez Azuero Contexto Legal, Agudelo Peláez Abogados, Ariza & Marín Abogados y Uribe Henao Abogados). Since 2009 and to date, ProBono has received more than 3000 requests for legal assistance.

About ACI Medellín Lectures

The ACI Medellín Lectures are a strategy to strengthen relationships with local allies. These academic events are focused on critical issues for the internationalization process of Medellín and the region. They are based on matters that contribute to the implementation of investment and cooperation projects .Also, they are aimed at public officials, undergraduate and postgraduate students, teachers, NGO representatives and entrepreneurs.