Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
San Vincenzo's attentiveness to the conservation of natural resources and the implemen-
tation of these innovative environmental policies has also become an example for other
towns, whose main economic activity is beach tourism, that want to joint Citt¢Slow as in
the case of the first three Portuguese towns that form the Portuguese network.
As the international network continues to develop, and as ideas are transferred and
adapted, a greater transnational character of Cittaslow may develop. Pink holds out
some hope for this when she observed that its national and international connections
are shaping the organization.
For example, in 2005 representatives of the Citt¢slow national networks signed the
'Skondal Agreement' at the first International Congress of Citt¢slow in Norway, 'pledging
to work together to promote sustainable energy projects' (Citt¢slow UK Statutes) and Cit-
t¢slow proposes to create a Co-ordination Committee which will have a representative from
'Every country with a city in the Network. (Pink 2009 , p. 455)
The Co-ordination Committee was convened on 9 th April 2011 in Pollica, Saler-
no (Italy). This is the town of which Angello Vassallo—a former Vice-President
of Cittaslow—was Mayor, prior to his murder by the Camorra on 5th September
2010, because of his anti-crime activities. It is hoped that this Committee will play
a role in helping to translate 'slow practices' between towns, which may themselves
change by integrating diverse ways of slow-living into a new dynamic culture. If
this is achieved, not only will Cittaslow cease to be viewed as an Italian movement,
it may also progress from being seen as an international network of towns to being
defined as a transnational movement capable of translating and assembling slow
ideas and practices from different cultures.
A further development towards international networking can be seen in the com-
mitment made by Cittaslow International in 2009 to promote adhesion among its
members to the Covenant of Mayors. This initiative, launched by the European
Commission in 2008, brings together on a voluntary basis local and regional au-
thorities agreeing to implement Sustainable Energy Action Plans with the aim of
reducing carbon dioxide emissions by at least 20 % by 2020. By becoming a Cov-
enant Supporter, Cittaslow International agreed to promote the Covenant of Mayors
among its members, to guide them through the process of becoming signatories, and
to facilitate exchanges between those who joined.
15﻽7
Governance
As a Covenant Supporter, Cittaslow International participates in what has been
'portrayed by European institutions as an exceptional model of multi-level govern-
ment' (Covenant of Mayors, undated) The headquarters of Cittaslow International,
which comprises a small, full-time secretariat and director are based in the Palace
of Taste situated in the Convent of San Giovanni, Orvieto. At the global level the
organization is governed by the Cittaslow International Co-ordinating Commit-
tee. The members of this committee are elected for a three-year term of office at
the International Assembly, to which all member towns are invited and have full
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