For the past two and a half years, the focus for local government professionals around the world has been on supporting their residents and economies, while they grappled with the most significant public health crisis of our generation. These experiences have both challenged and enriched ICMA members.

Enhancing Skills and Onboarding New Hires

As we emerge from “pandemic mode,” ICMA’s Global Engagement and Development Team is working to integrate these experiences into the cohesive global community of learning we envision. At this moment, the public sector is facing two major staff development challenges. The first is sharpening and building new skills through continuing professional education at all levels of the organization since other priorities took precedence during the pandemic. The second is that nearly every region of the world is facing massive talent shortages. To fill open local government positions, many municipalities are recruiting individuals who have little to no local government experience and will rely on training and professional development to bridge the skills gap with these new hires.

To meet those needs, ICMA created the International Professional Development Symposium: Local Government Leadership and Management—From Core Practices to Current Trends, which will be held in London, UK, July 8 and 9. The event presents participants with a much-needed opportunity to learn or enhance their knowledge of the fundamentals inherent in the practice of managing local governments. In addition, the program offers a deep dive into several key trends confronting local government professionals.

Flexible, Engaging Curriculum

ICMA has collaborated with the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at the University of Syracuse, one of the world’s top ranked university programs, to develop a cutting-edge curriculum. We have also partnered with Solace, the local government and public sector professionals’ network based in the United Kingdom. The program offers opening plenary sessions each day and five tracks with sessions duplicated each day so participants can mix and match sessions according to their professional development objectives.

Track one will focus on the 14 core competencies essential for local government professionals. Track two will cover leadership skills including leading across generations. The remaining three tracks deeply explore critical issues facing municipalities today—Climate Change and Sustainability, Online Community Engagement, and Economic Development and COVID-19. The case examples presented in the tracks will come from cities and towns all over the world providing solutions that have broad application.

In addition to the content, I am most excited about the stellar practitioners and academics who will be leading the sessions. Tina Nabatchi, Ph.D., from the Maxwell School is the world’s leading authority in citizen participation, collaborative governance, conflict resolution, and challenges in public administration. Practitioners include several of ICMA’s current and past presidents—including Jeff Towery, Karen Pinkos, and Lee Feldman—and the leadership team from the city of Bruges, Belgium.

Because this is the first event of its kind, we are limiting attendance to the first 200 registrants and expect that attendees will join from throughout Europe, South Asia, and Africa which will afford great networking and discussion opportunities.

A Global Community of Learning

ICMA is offering CEU’s for all of the sessions; for completion of the two days, participants will receive five CEUs. In addition, the Online Community Engagement track is a special certificate program. With more than two dozen sessions, there is something for everyone—from individuals new to the profession to senior leaders who want to sharpen their skills.

Most importantly, this is the first major step in creating an environment where local government professionals at every career stage will be uniformly recognized for their knowledge, experience, and dedication to continuing professional development and career accomplishments.

Questions? Email ICMA International, international@icma.org.