Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg
Founder
Bloomberg Philanthropies
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Supporting Local LeadersThere are many more issues that the White House and Congress are failing to address, and where chances of progress over the next two years are slim, at best. That’s why we brought the most recent round of the Mayors Challenge back to the United States, after competitions in Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. We invited U.S. mayors to propose ideas for civic programs that, if successful, can be copied around the country. Winning cities are implementing bold new programs to fight inequality, improve air quality, remove barriers to employment for the formerly incarcerated, expand access to affordable housing, and much more. In each of these areas, we’re supporting mayors’ efforts to engage and empower citizens to participate in creating new policies. The country cannot afford to sit back and watch problems grow worse over the next two years as we wait in hope for new and better leadership. To help fill the void, we will continue to expand our work with local leaders who are committed to bold experimentation – and to listening to and acting closely together with the public. We’ll do this through programs like the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership executive training program, which strengthens mayors’ ability to lead and manage their cities. Through our Public Art Challenge, we’re supporting cities that are employing creativity to bring attention to important issues – and bring new vitality to their communities. And through Bloomberg Associates, we are helping mayors tackle complex problems by bringing people together, sharing best practices, and building public support for new initiatives. Mayors understand what da Vinci called “the urgency of doing.” Not every new idea will work. But there is no progress without innovation, and no innovation without experimentation. Cities have long been centers of new ideas – and supporting them is one of the most important things we can do to spur progress in the face of federal inaction. It is no coincidence that da Vinci hailed from the most vibrant city of his time. Fifteenth-century Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance. The city’s embrace of trade, support for the arts, and respect for science and reason helped to fuel an unprecedented era of human knowledge and progress. Today, cities can help usher in a new renaissance – led by citizens, inspired by our common goals, driven by data and science, and propelled by creativity and innovation. Trying to bring change to Washington in 2021 is important, but it’s not enough. We must do – now. Sincerely,
More Articles
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SeniorWomenWeb, an Uncommon site for Uncommon Women ™ (http://www.seniorwomen.com) 1999-2024