ICLEI's Connecting Leaders Network

Young city leaders tackle sustainability online

ICLEI’s FutureCityLeaders Initiative has partnered with Wiggio to launch an online communications platform that could define the future of sustainable development.

Developed by Wiggio, the online platform connects ICLEI’s FutureCityLeaders – a group of promising municipal leaders from across the globe committed to sustainable development.

“The FutureCityLeaders Initiative aims to empower future leaders by connecting them in a global network and by building their capacity on sustainability issues through knowledge-sharing, mentoring, participation in international events and
web-based training”, said Mona Ludigkeit, Project Officer of FutureCityLeaders.

“Our ultimate goal is to realize tangible action for local sustainability”, she added.

The online platform provides FutureCityLeaders with a custom branded
workspace where they can share and archive information, as well as organize
communications. The tools provided within the private workspace include
sharing and storing files, hosting virtual meetings, sending mass emails and text messages, posting comments on a newsfeed and creating events on a shared calendar.

The Young Consultants Network (YCN) of Detecon International assumed the
responsibility for the assessment, selection, and training of the communications
platform, within the framework of a pro bono project.

Commenting on the importance of collaborating with fellow young leaders,
Jinty MacTavish Councilor of Dunedin City New Zealand and one of ICLEI’s
FutureCityLeaders remarked, “I’m excited about the opportunity to be connected to their thoughts, their ideas, their actions and their inspiration, which in turn will ensure my own decision making and actions are as globally informed as they can be.”

“We are excited to work with ICLEI, and to provide FutureCityLeaders with a
private workspace that allows them to work more efficiently,” said Darryl Myers,
VP of Business Development for Wiggio. “They are a group of talented and
passionate leaders, and we are proud to provide them the tools to help them
achieve their goals.”