Closing
What an exciting time we all had at the 17th International Safe Communities Conference. For many, especially those attending their first conference, it was a unique experience to be able to network with so many members of the International Safe Community network. Over 500 delegates from 38 countries attended the conference and all left with a greater understanding of the benefits of International Safe Communities.
The Safe Communities Foundation of New Zealand and the Christchurch City Council were proud to be co-hosts for this world-class conference and consider that the objectives of the conference were well met. Delegates agreed that the conference provided an opportune moment for enhancing expertise, exchanging and transferring knowledge, and facilitating partnerships at regional and global levels. The standard of the presentations, both the keynote speakers and those presenting in the various streams was excellent. Both during and after the conference, many positive comments have been received including: “the best ISC conference ever”; “very professional and inclusive”; “great networking, everyone was so friendly and welcoming”; “great to see a Mayor so passionate and informed about Safe Communities”; “intelligent and relevant presentations and I have lots of ideas to take back to my community”; “appreciated all the little extras such as the Safer Times Newsletters, Cyber Cafe and professional and timely responses to queries from the organisers”.
We hope that the contacts and networking will continue now that you are back in your communities. Remember being at the conference, listening to speakers, and viewing the posters and exhibition stands provided a wonderful opportunity to share ideas, experiences and specialised knowledge, but the real action and outcomes will come when you share all these ideas and strategies with your colleagues in your community. It is only in this way that the conference theme of “working together to make a difference” will be put into practice.
On behalf of the other members of the organising committee – Lincoln Papali’i, Tania Peters, Robyn Steel and Philipa Hay, we extend our best wishes to you all and hope to see you again at future International Safe Community events.
Dr Carolyn Coggan
Chair, 17th International Safe Communities Conference
