Dungannon Shortlisted for 'Livcom' Award
Publish Date: Wednesday, 08 November 2006
Dungannon will challenge its title as Most Liveable Community in the World this week, at the annual LivCom Finals in Hangzhou, China.
The International Award for Liveable Communities (LivCom) is the world's only competition for local communities that focuses on environmental management and the creation of liveable communities.
Mr John Campbell, Chief Executive of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council will give a presentation on Dungannon at the awards ceremony in Hangzhou. He says:
"We were delighted to win the LivCom award last year at the finals in Spain and hope to build on that achievement this year in Hangzhou. We are pleased to be selected as finalists and to be given the opportunity to showcase the high level efforts that are being made to promote Dungannon as a sustainable, liveable community."
The objective of the LivCom awards is to encourage best practice, innovation and leadership in providing a vibrant, environmentally sustainable community that improves the quality of life for its residents.
An international judging panel comprising the worlds leading environmental experts will assess each entry on enhancement of their landscape, heritage management, environmental sensitive practices, healthy lifestyles, community involvement and planning for the future.
Mr Campbell is joined by Councillor Francis Molloy and Council's Director of Technical Services, Bertie McMinn and Arlene McIlwrath. Yesterday, as the delegation prepared for the awards ceremony in Hangzhou, they met with the Divisional Chief of Overseas Chinese Affairs, Mr Tao, of Shanghai Municipality. Discussions ranged from tourism, waste management and issues of concern including pollution and human rights. Councillor Molloy explains:
"The meeting was very useful and informative which we hope to progress in future. It was agreed that proposals would be considered as to how the Council could build links with the region to develop business and tourism. "
Dungannon's competitors in LivCom hail from Aylesham (England), Clonakilty (Ireland), Muskiz (Spain), Poltsamaa (Estonia), St Walburg (Canada) and Tyri (Estonia).
The results of the competition will be announced from Hangzhou on Monday 13th November.
