Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities

ICLEI Oceania's Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities is one year old in October, and in that time has supported local governments to take action on community health and wellbeing.

Through our current focus on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs harm-minimisation, we are demonstrating the strength of the ICLEI model and its ability to assist local governments to work effectively, using integrated planning approaches, and focus on the big picture of sustainability.

We have also been exploring new work on physical activity and food access in partnership with the University of Melbourne, begun development of a local food sustainability program and initiated work to address climate change impacts on health.

Meanwhile, over the past few months, the program has received growing national support. The Director of Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities, Mark Boyd, was recently an invited speaker at both the Australian Drug Foundations' Thinking Drinking conference, and at this year's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre's Annual Symposium, where he spoke alongside Nick Health, General Manager of Hobart City Council.

Following a recent presentation, the program was also recognised by the Australian National Council on Drugs, who supported our initiative.

At all three presentations we were able to demonstrate the strong influence that local governments can have on supporting community health and wellbeing, in fostering resilient local economies and in protecting our available resources.

Our presentations were able to draw from the innovative and forward-thinking approaches our participating councils are taking to reduce alcohol-related harms.

ICLEI Oceania is proud to be able to support councils with the core tools and common approaches that can assist them to work effectively with their communities on long-term solutions.

For more information about the CSHC program contact Mark Boyd, Director – Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities, ph: +61 3 9660 2224.