The definition of "mundialization" is the act of a city or local authority declaring itself a "world citizen" and being aware of global issues with a sense of shared rights and responsibility. The word itself stems from the Latin word "mundus" which means "world". The concept involves the twinning of cities from around the world, in the belief that peaceful cooperation depends on mutual trust and appreciation among peoples of different nations, races, cultures and systems. Mundialization encourages citizen connections as a way of fostering world peace and global understanding.
The Burlington Mundialization Committee is a committee reporting to Council through the Enviroment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee.
In 1984, a Mundialization Committee of volunteer citizens was formed in Burlington to pursue twinning with another country. A by-law was passed in 1985 to declare Burlington a "World Community" dedicated to international co-operation (mundialization) and that the City of Burlington, as part of its Mundialization program, proceed: (a) to undertake a twinning program with a municipality in another country, and (b) to fly the United Nations flag with the Canadian flag from City Hall at all times.
On May 12, 1989, Mayor Bird signed a twinning agreement with Mayor Kurihara of Itabashi, Japan.
On May 6, 2005, Mayor MacIsaac signed a twinning agreement with Mayor de Graaf of Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
Our mandate is to promote the City of Burlington as "A World Community" dedicated to the United Nations philosophy of peaceful co-operation among the peoples of the world and encourage community understanding of different cultures global issues by:
Each year on or around Oct. 24, Mundialization Committee members organize an event to celebrate the importance and achievements of the United Nations and its mandate to promote peace, understanding and tolerance among people of all cultures and backgrounds.
Terms of Reference
View the terms of reference (pdf) of this committee
Ed Dorr, Chair
Hassan Raza, Vice Chair
Rob Lyng, Chair, Itabashi Sub-committee
Miles Ross Chair, Apeldoorn Sub-committee
Shadi Salehian Chair, United Nations Sub-committee
Johanna Haan
Kristin Demeny
Siddhim Gupta
Anne Koopman
Mary Beth Curtin
Judith Genis
Brianna Jennings
Chuck Morris
Christa Papavasiliou
Michael Pavan
Shadi Salehian
Ryan Martin
Council Representative
Councillor Nisan
Staff Representative
Suzanne Gillies, Committee Clerk
905-335-7600 ext. 7862
suzanne.gillies@burlington.ca
Agenda, Minutes and Meeting Dates |
From January 2017 onward can be found on the City Meeting/Event Calendar.To access agendas, minutes for citizen advisory committees, follow the below instructions:
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Virtual Sakura Festival
The City of Burlington invites you to celebrate spring virtually with the Japanese Cherry Blossom this year. Enjoy a time lapse video of the Cherry Blossom trees.
Due to limiting the spread of COVID-19, the area with our Cherry Blossom trees at Spencer Smith Park is closed to the public. The City of Burlington will be posting daily photos of the Cherry Blossom trees across our social media channels (www.facebook.com/cityburlington, www.twitter.com/cityburlington, and www.instagram.com/cityburlington), as well as this virtual Facebook event page.
Please check back for new photos, and performance videos. This year’s Sakura Festival commemorates Burlington’s 31-year twin-city friendship with Itabashi, Japan.
For more upcoming event information, please visit the city calendar.
Sakura Festival, May 5, 2018 celebrated the Japanese cherry blossom. |
Photo Gallery: Sakura Festival 2018 will appear here on the public site.
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Celebration of Art - May 1-31, 2018 |
Art from Fujimidai School and Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School
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Canada Netherlands Friendship Day, May 5, 2018 |
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A Poem for Apeldoorn was written by Dan Murray, 2016 Burlington's Best Arts Person of the Year Award winner, and was presented to the citizens of Apeldoorn, the Netherlands on May 4, 2018. |
Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) receive donation from Japanese philanthropist, March 5, 2018 |
Quotes |
Model United Nations 101 Conference, Oct. 24, 2017 |
More than 200 students attended this conference with special guest Dr. Alistair D. Edgar, executive director of the Academic Council on the United Nations System. Students had the opportunity to develop their debating skills, global awareness, knowledge and problem-solving skills.
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Our Twin Cities send Canada 150 Greetings |
The City of Burlington's Twin Cities are celebrating and recognizing Canada 150 from across the world. The City of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands created the video below for us to watch and a letter from Mayor Berends. They city of Itabashi, Japan has also sent us a letter from Mayor Takeshi Sakamoto. |
Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven visit to Burlington |
Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and her husband, Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven, payed an official visit to Canada (May 13 to May 16, 2017).
Princess Margriet and Professor van Vollenhoven spoke to Burlington elementary students involved in the Mundialization committee's Apeldoorn art and letter exchange program. Also, the high school students from Burlington that connect with Apeldoorn students and exchange visits to learn more about each other's culture and history. The princess and her husband live in Burlington's twin city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. The official visit to Canada is to deepen and foster the valuable friendship between Canada and the Netherlands and to remember the anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by the Canadian Armed Forces during Second World War. See more details about the visit here. |
Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) receive donation from Japanese philanthropist, March 7, 2017 |
Japanese philanthropist Taroo Enomoto, from Burlington's twin city, Itabashi, Japan, has donated 450,000 yen (about C$4,753) to the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK). Enomoto, who is from Itabashi, Japan, has donated close to C$40,000 to Burlington over the past 28 years, including donating rhododendrons to Paletta Lakefront Mansion. His generosity towards Burlington began in 1989 with the twinning of Burlington and Itabashi, Japan. The bond has been strengthened through the city's Mundialization Committee and multiple exchanges. Mayor Rick Goldring, Councillor Blair Lancaster and members of the Mundialization Committee l presented a cheque to ROCK at ROCKs Our Community Cares (OCC) Centre. "Mr. Enomoto's many contributions can be seen and enjoyed throughout our city. His support of child and youth organizations like ROCK, invests in our future," said Mayor Rick Goldring. "We are thankful for his ongoing investment in the mental health and wellbeing of our youth." Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster, City Council's representative on the Burlington's Mundialization Committee, "I am very pleased that the Burlington Mundialization Committee is recommending that the funds once again be given to the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), in keeping with Mr. Enomoto's wishes that the money benefit children/youth in Burlington." Joanna Matthews, vice-president of strategic development, ROCK, "One in five young people is battling a mental health issue. They deserve access to mental health services and supports that respond quickly and comprehensively to their needs, as close to home as possible. As a lead agency for child and youth mental health in our community, ROCK will use this generous donation to ensure immediate access to children and youth in need through our Burlington walk-in counselling clinic. We are grateful to Burlington's Mundialization Committee and to Mr. Enomoto for this support." |