Major leadership forum

Prof. John Kincaid, director of the Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government, helped organize a webinar presentation today by Easton Mayor Sal Panto to nearly 300 mayors and other local officials in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Guatemala. John introduced Panto to the webinar participants.

The webinar, “Public Services and Municipalities,” was co-hosted by the National Institute of Federalism and Municipal Development (INAFED-Mexico) and the international Forum of Federations. The main objective was to exchange ideas about good practices in delivering public services in order to contribute to the strengthening and development of local governments and the construction of cities with a better quality of life for the citizens through experiences from other countries.

Panto addressed the importance of bringing the arts and recreation into a community for the physical and mental well-being of the residents. He made a PowerPoint presentation showing, among other things, Easton’s Peace Candle, Farmers’ Market, Karl Stirner Arts Trail, and downtown ice skating in the Winter Village.

John also is working with the Forum of Federations on the development of a five-year research agenda and on issues of federalism in the Federal Republic of Somalia.