City Leaders Invited to World Cultural Economic Forum

Created on Thursday, 15 March 2012 20:21

Leaders of cities across the globe received invitations to the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) this week. The Forum was created by Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu and is being hosted by the City of New Orleans in May.

The WCEF will serve as a marquee annual event attracting international delegates and showcasing New Orleans' cultural assets. The event will connect mayors to discuss issues of cultural economy and to develop international best practices. As a “city-to-city” event, participation is by invitation only for mayors and other high level officials.

In just a short time, many international cities have already confirmed their participation in the WCEF from countries including:

Algeria Angola Bangladesh Botswana China France Georgia Ghana Haiti Hungary Israel

Italy Lesotho Lithuania Mali Mexico Netherlands Saint Kitts and Nevis Trinidad and Tobago Turkey United States

Under Mayor Landrieu's leadership, New Orleans is positioned to be the cultural economy capital of the world. The City's unique people and culture make it a natural meeting place for the WCEF. New Orleans is rich in assets; the people, enterprises and communities who transform culture into products abound. The business of culture is vitally important to employment, education, economic development, quality of life and community spirit. The Forum will facilitate discussions that will help all participating cities by setting international best practices, facilitating lasting partnerships and growing a cultural economy network.