National Association of Regional Councils

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lindsey Riley
202.986.1032 / lindsey@narc.org  

Washington, DC (April 14, 2008) – The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) signed a “Declaration of Cooperation Between Metropolitan Regions and Areas of the United States and Europe,” with representatives from the United States and the European Union at the recently held U.S.-European Conference of Metropolitan Regional Councils in Alexandria, VA, April 9-12, 2008. The conference theme, “Sharing Knowledge-Developing Joint Action to Address Climate Change,” highlighted the work of regional organizations throughout the U.S. and several countries within the European Union for innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.

The cooperative declaration was signed by two NARC Board members: President Betty Knight, Platte County, MO Commissioner and Board Member of Mid-America Regional Council and Region III Representative Penny Gross, Supervisor in Fairfax County, VA and Board Member of both the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Signers also included Roger Read, Secretary General of the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas (METREX), Scotland; Chairman Michael Knapp, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Montgomery County, MD Council President; and, Dr. Bernd Steinacher, Regionaldirektor, Verband Region Stuttgart, Germany and President of METREX.

“It is an honor for me to be here representing NARC at this historic event which we hope will not be the last,” said President Knight. “This declaration sets a precedence of cooperation between the United States and Europe and we intend to spread this dialog north and south, east and west to engage metropolitan areas and our regional partners globally. “

The declaration focuses on the commonalities between regions in the United States and Europe and how all parties can benefit mutually from sharing information, resources, and technology. Short term goals include creating a bi-annual publication, establishing a joint website, and convening future conferences. Long term goals include launching regional pilot projects and supporting research and grant writing through peer-to-peer exchanges.

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work jointly with representatives from Europe and look forward to building upon this agreement,” said Knight. “This declaration and conference sends a strong message about the importance of recognizing and accepting regional solutions to regional problems through cooperative development of common environment, economic development, security and transportation concerns.”

The conference was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission; Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments; METREX; NARC; The German Marshall Fund of the United States; Verband Region Stuttgart; BB&T; Heinrich Böll Foundation; Marriott Corporation; Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; The British Embassy; and, Dominion Power.