Melbourne Centre for Cities to co-host Symposium in Washington DC

The Melbourne Centre for Cities, in collaboration with the US Department of State, the Truman Center, and Meridian International Center, will co-host the Symposium on Strategic Subnational Diplomacy. The two-day gathering will be held on January 15-16 2025 in Washington DC and will focus on empowering city, state, and regional leaders to navigate today’s complex global landscape.

Research Fellow Dr Daniel Pejic will be part of the landmark event and is excited to work closely with international counterparts to find solutions for the complex issues faced by cities across the globe.

“We are proud to be contributing to this important event at a critical time for international cooperation,” said Dr Pejic.

“The symposium is unique in bringing together national and local representatives from a range of allied countries, demonstrating both the shared importance of subnational diplomacy and need to support and enhance the international engagements of cities, states and regions.”

Subnational governments are increasingly engaging internationally but their efforts are often hindered by limited resources, expertise, or strategic support. This knowledge gap has created uneven opportunities across regions and can increase engagement risks. Key issues such as health crises, migration, climate change, disinformation, supply chain disruptions and foreign interference require coordinated and strategic international cooperation at every level of government.

The event will welcome delegations of national and subnational officials from nine countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Symposium will address these challenges by equipping local leaders with tools, resources, and support to strengthen their global engagements, while protecting their communities from risks.