MAYOR of Liverpool Joe Anderson has beaten off more than 1,000 city leaders to make the final 25 contestants in this year’s World Mayor Prize, it was announced today.
The 2014 shortlist for the biennial award includes four mayors from North America, four from Latin America, eight from Europe, six from Asia, one from Australia and two from Africa.
Organisers The World Mayor Project say the winner will demonstrate qualities such as honesty, leadership and vision, management abilities and integrity, social and economic awareness, ability to provide security and to protect the environment.
Other vital statistics include the will and ability to foster good relations between communities from different cultural, racial and social backgrounds and to act at all times against any kind of discrimination.
Man in the mirror: Joe Anderson
Mayor Joe was plucked for the shortlist after several glowing hero-grams from ordinary citizens were left on its website, such as this:
"Mayor Anderson is a passionate advocate for the amazing city of Liverpool. Despite many setbacks he continues to show Liverpool is a "will do" city, is open for business and his promises do come to fruition.(By Gary M, Liverpool)."
And: "Joe is very passionate about Liverpool, we couldn't have asked for a better mayor, he really cares for his city and the people who live here. (By JB, Liverpool).
Another testimonial from “Andrew R” reads: "In adverse times of austerity Joe Anderson manages to continue to put Liverpool on the world map through fantastic events like street theatre productions " the giants" Beatles and music festivals, as well as attracting world business to our fantastic waterfronts and surrounding city."
Mayor Joe will have to fight off other nominees such as George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, as well as the mayors of Bordeaux, Ghent, Houston, Seoul and Sydney. The winner will be announced in January 2015.
The philanthropic City Mayors Foundation is an international think tank dedicated to local government, consists of professionals working together to promote strong and prosperous cities as well as good local government.
Established in 2003, City Mayors encourages city leaders from across the world to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to long-standing urban problems such as housing, transport, education and employment. City Mayors also debates ways to meet the latest environmental, technological, social and security challenges, which affect the well-being of citizens.
The winner, who will be announced in January 2015, receives the “artistically acclaimed” World Mayor trophy.
