Talk to flag new era of Antarctic ‘custodial cities’
Published on 25 October 2021
Two mayors of Antarctic Gateway Cities will promote a new era of collaboration at tomorrow’s Hobart CityTalks online forum.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, and her Hobart counterpart Anna Reynolds, will speak about a new proposal for more collaboration between the five globally recognised Antarctic Cities – Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Cape Town, Christchurch and Hobart
Tuesday’s online forum follows a collaborative research project by the cities which are located closest to Antarctic and explored their differences and similarities. The research found the depth of connection with Antarctica felt by the residents of all cities.
Mayors Dalziel and Reynolds are both supportive of increasing collaboration between the five cities and become even stronger custodians of Antarctica.
“Increasingly, we are seeing the importance of working together to play a leading role in shaping how the rest of the world imagines, engages with and experiences Antarctica,” the Mayors stated.
“We both support the ideas proposed by the Antarctic Cities project and want to focus on the collaboration between the Antarctic Cities.”
Mayor Dalziel added: “Our gateway histories extend back to the Heroic Era of Antarctic exploration. Today we are both major hubs for the science undertaken by the international Antarctic programs we host and support. Our citizens are increasingly proud of the unique status and custodial responsibility that comes with being an Antarctic Gateway city.”
Throughout her political career, Mayor Dalziel has been a strong supporter of Christchurch’s development as an Antarctic Gateway City, including championing the development of the Christchurch Antarctic Gateway Strategy.
The Antarctic Cities: From Gateways to Custodial Cities – 2021 Report can be viewed in full at hobartcity.com.au/antarctica
Joining Mayor Dalziel as speakers at the CityTalks online forum are Antarctic Youth Ambassador Chloe Power and Adjunct Professor Tony Press. There will also be a special message from Captain Gerry O’Doherty of the RSV Nuyina.
Panellist Chloe Power is a strong advocate for strengthening the connection with Antarctica, and is Hobart’s representative on the Antarctic Youth Coalition.
“I believe our connection and values towards Antarctica could be stronger,” she said. “I would love to see all of Hobart, not just scientists and Antarctic-minded people embrace this connection.”
The one-hour CityTalks forum will be held on Tuesday 26 October at 5pm. Interested members of the public are invited to register to attend the interactive online forum via Zoom. Registered attendees have the opportunity to submit questions to the speakers.
CityTalks is a partnership between the City of Hobart and the University of Tasmania to focus on topics relevant to Hobart and features community leaders, national and international keynote speakers. Visit hobartcity.com.au/citytalks for details of the forum and to register.