International solidarity
The City of Montreal Executive Committee renews the program of solidarity leave favoring the exchange of expertise between the cities of the world
Montreal, August 29, 2018 – The Executive Committee of the City of Montreal has approved the renewal of the Solidarity Leave Program, a program promoting international solidarity by offering the expertise of municipal employees to cities facing urban issues. For the years 2018 and 2019, 19 mandates will be carried out in Africa, specifically in the cities with which the City of Montreal has signed friendship and cooperation agreements.
“Montreal is part of an international movement that gives cities and local authorities an increasingly important role in international solidarity. By sharing their expertise, cities are able to contribute significantly to the resolution of major urban issues that characterize the twenty-first century. I am delighted to see Montreal carry out international development projects by sharing the expertise of its employees, “said Benoit Dorais, Chairman of the Executive Committee.
More than 60 missions in Africa, Asia and Latin America
The City of Montreal is a partner of the Solidarity Leave Program with the international cooperation agencies UNITERRA-CECI and CESO since 2005. More than 60 missions were carried out by more than 45 municipal employees in Africa, Asia and Latin America. the areas of urban mobility, waste management, taxation, human resources management, urban safety, environment, territorial planning and management and economic development. Cities such as Bouaké in Côte d’Ivoire, Cotonou and Porto Novo in Benin, Dakar and Kédougou in Senegal, Mancommunidad in Bolivia, Trà Vinh in Vietnam, Blantyre in Malawi, and Douala in Cameroon have benefited from Montreal’s expertise.
The Solidarity Leave Program requires the involvement of employers, organizations and their employees. This innovative form of international cooperation encourages the participation of Canadian citizens who want to learn, contribute and engage in the fight against poverty in the world.
Some examples of mandates
2016 Financial and Accounting Management, City of Porto Novo, Benin
Financial Mobilization, City of Pobè, Benin
2017 Urban Security, City of Dakar, Senegal
2018 Human Resources Management, City of Bouaké, Ivory Coast
