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Report
on Commonwealth Association of Planners Conference and Business Meeting
By Tan Kah Hoe
At Surfers Paradise Parkroyal Hotel in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
( 6th & 7th October 2001)
The
Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) Forum and CAP Business
Meeting were held on 6th and 7th October 2001 respectively. The CAP
function followed immediately after the conclusion of the conference
organized by the Royal Australian Planning Institute (RAPI) (Queensland
Division). The events were held at Surfers Paradise Parkroyal Hotel
on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia.
It has been a practice for CAP to hold its meeting and forum in tandem
with a major conference organized by one of its constituent association,
in this case the Royal Australian Planning Institute (RAPI - Queensland
Division)
There are five major advantages in organizing the two conferences
by two different organizations with one immediately following the
other.
- The
representatives of member associations have the benefit of attending
the conference of the host country as well as the CAP Forum and
Business meeting.
-
There are good opportunities for interaction among planners from
different countries and for networking.
-
With the foreign visitors participating in the local conference
it gives the hosts the opportunity to extend their hospitality
and to showcase their achievements.
- The
host country (RAPI) assisted in the organizing of the CAP Conference,
making the meeting more meaningful and exciting.
- The
mayor of Brisbane hosted a Gala Diner with lavish entertainment
at the closing of the RAPI conference for all including the representatives
of CAP member associations.
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Participants
About 250 people participated in the RAPI Queensland Conference -
" 2001-A Planning Odyssey" held from 3rd to 5th October 2001 and amongst
them were over 30 planners from about 16 other commonwealth countries
who came to attend the CAP Forum and meeting scheduled for 6th and
7th October 2001. There were funding and subsidies from the Commonwealth
Foundation and the Department of International Development (UK) to
pay partially or fully for representatives attending the CAP Forum
and meeting and RAPI Conference, depending on the affordability of
the financial situation and stages of development of the countries
concerned.
CAP Forum on 6th October 2001
This event was held on 6th October 2001 and the sessions covered the
following areas:
- Address
by Barbara Norman, RAPI National President
- Address
by Prof. Cliff Hague, CAP President who reported on UNCHS Istanbul+5
-
The above were followed by nine papers presented by planners from
different commonwealth countries on planning and social issues.
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The
day closed with plenary discussion on resolutions /action plans /
strategies for CAP.
The evening was capped with a dinner cruise.
CAP Executive Committee Meeting on 7th October 2001
The President and Secretary General reports provided the most useful
information of business transacted since the last meeting held on
24th June 2000 at Hilton Hotel, Belfast, UK.
1. Finance
The CAP expenditure for the year was £43,878.97 and total income £74,255.34
(out of this income £30,000 and £16,750.00 were funds from International
Development Grant and Commonwealth Foundation Grants.
It is clear from the above figures that grants from Department for
International Development (UK) and Commonwealth Foundation are critical
to keep the CAP together and active. Singapore Institute of Planners
(SIP) membership contribution per year is only £56.70. Royal Town
Planning Institute (RTPI) contribution is £20,000.00
2. Strategic Plan 2001
A plan for the year was drawn up and circulated to the executive.
There were no objection. The essential elements were:
CAP Goals for 2001
- To
contribute to Commonwealth involvement in monitoring progress
towards implementation of the Habitat Agenda.
-
To develop awareness of the Habitat Agenda and of the Commonwealth
Consultative Group on Human Settlements amongst professional planners
in the Commonwealth.
-
To strengthen links between planners in Commonwealth countries
and to increase their awareness of the Commonwealth dimension
of planning.
-
To strengthen links with other Commonwealth bodies and NGOs.
-
To provide its own members with an efficient and effective service
that they value.
CAP
Action Plan for 2001
- CAP
will actively contribute to the work of the Commonwealth Consultative
Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS) through participation in its
meetings and through dissemination of information about CCGHS.
-
CAP will publicise the Istanbul+5 process through its Newsletter
and web-site, through its Conference in Queensland and through
encouraging regional meetings.
-
CAP will maintain liaison with Built Environment Professions in
the Commonwealth (BEPIC), Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC)
and Homeless International, and will seek to build working links
with other Commonwealth groups, e.g. through joint activity at
a regional level.
-
CAP will organise a conference and business meeting in Queensland
linked to the CHOGM, and prepare a position statement on the role
of positive planning in contributing to the achievement of adequate
shelter for all and to sustainable human settlements and good
governance.
-
CAP will hold at least one regional event as well as its Queensland
conference during 2001. A particular priority will be to involve
members from small states.
-
CAP will plan a programme of professional events for 2002 and
2003.
-
CAP will launch a Network of Planning Schools and provide the
administrative support to bring it into being.
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CAP will explore the feasibility of a system of international
planning aid, which would like volunteer professionals to practical
tasks in Commonwealth countries.
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CAP will produce 3 issues of its Newsletter during 2001, and maintain
its website.
-
CAP will collect subscriptions, actively seek new members and
ensure that all members and the Commonwealth Foundation are kept
informed of CAP activity.
-
CAP will seek financial support from other sources as well as
subscription income to help it achieve its potential.
-
CAP will benchmark itself against other Commonwealth professional
organizations, so as to learn how to enhance its performance and
maximise value for money to its members.
3.
The next CAP conference and meeting for 2004 is agreed to be held
in Malaysia and with strong input from Singapore with possibility
of jointly organizing the events.
Malaysia and Singapore will get together and work out the details.
[note: First meeting of SIP/MIP was held in Kuala Lumpur on 21st
October 2001 to discuss on CAP conference and meeting for 2004.
Next meeting to discuss further targeted for February 2002.]
4. The newly amended CAP constitution was approved at the meeting.
5. Election:
At the executive committee meeting, the following were elected:
-
President, Prof. Cliff Hague
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Secretary General, John Anderson
-
Vice Presidents for the various regions including Europe, Americas,
East and Southern Africa, Pacific, South West Asia and South East
Asia. SIP past president, Tan Kah Hoe was elected Vice President
of CAP for South East Asia, succeeding Dato Muhammad Zainuddin
of Malaysia.
Observations
and Conclusion:
Under the strong and effective leadership of President Cliff Hague
and Secretary General John Anderson and the fixed secretariat in
the UK, the CAP as a body has been greatly strengthened. CAP is
better represented in the international forums and its profile raised.
There were three issues of CAP newsletter circulated over the internet
and a CAP website installed to foster greater co-operation and communication.
It is the duty of constituent members of the CAP to participate
more actively to strengthen the co-operation networking and bring
planning as a profession to the awareness of the government and
the public in general.
Tan
Kah Hoe
Vice President (South East Asia) of CAP
Past President, Singapore Institute of Planners
8th November 2001
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