Cities of Bijeljina and Langenhagen present partnership at UN Global Festival of Action on Sustainable Development
The UN Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development was held in Bonn from 20 until 22 March 2018, with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the German Federal Foreign Office. The City of Bijeljina, represented by Ankica Todorović and Mile Pejčić and City of Langenhagen, represented by Regine von der Haar and Wolfgang Langrehr, participated in the Festival and presented the existing cooperation as a good example of sustainable partnership in the session about successful examples of German municipalities and their partners with regard to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The example of the municipal partnership of twin-cities Langenhagen and Bijeljina that participates in the project “Municipal Partnerships for Sustainability” from Engagement Global GmbH/Service Agency Communities in One World was showcased. Besides the 10-years long partnership between the two cities, the currently ongoing joint project based on the promotion of the Agenda 2030 and implementation of jointly selected SDGs was highlighted. The joint message was that all partnership activities, if based on accountable approach, trust and confidence among those who implement it, unconditionally will be successful and sustainable. Besides the representatives of Bijeljina and Langenhagen, the panel discussion participants were Dr. Ingolf Dietrich, Director and Commissioner, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Dr. Doris Witteler-Stiepelmann, Head of Division for Federal States, Local Authorities, Development Education of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Sabine Drees, Association of German Cities, Senior Advisor International Relations and Jürgen Schmeier, Head of department social city, City of Bedburg.The Forum also provided a dynamic and interactive space to showcase the latest innovations, tools and approaches and to connect organizations and individuals from different sectors and regions to exchange, build partnerships and make impact in their communities.