March 11, 2003

Vancouver Wins Prestigious UN Award

The City of Vancouver has won a United Nations award for "Innovation in Public Service." Vancouver was chosen from hundreds of applicants, and is the only city in North America to win the award.

The award recognizes excellence and innovation in public service delivery, especially programs that use "innovative methods ... applied to micro and macro issues, such as technological modernization, administrative reforms or overhauls of government service delivery procedure."

Vancouver won the award for its Neighbourhood Integrated Service Team (NIST) program, which is a unique initiative that helps Vancouver residents solve difficult issues in their neighbourhood. More than 200 City staff work on 16 teams, each of which represents a particular area of the city. These teams comprise staff from almost all City departments as well as outside agencies. They work with residents to help solve problems with buildings, garbage, noise or illegal activity.

"This is a great honour for us," said City Manager Judy Rogers. "It's recognition of an innovative program that has made a difference in many people's lives.

"NIST has not only resolved dozens of difficult problems for Vancouver residents in the eight years it has existed, it has also succeeded in breaking down barriers between City departments, fostered better communication and cooperation, and empowered citizens who have taken part in the process. The UN award is a tribute to the NIST staff who work so hard for our residents."

The Awards for Innovation in Public Service will be given out June 23, 2003 in New York. Full details can be found on the UN Web site www.unpan.org/dpepa_psaward.asp

Recipients of the Innovation award include:

Europe and North America
Italy -- Coordination Centre for Innovations in Administrations
Public Administration Department for Efficiency in the Administrations

Canada -- Neighbourhood Integrated Service Teams, City of Vancouver

Africa
Zambia -- Commercialization, Patents and Companies Registration Office

Asia and the Pacific
South Korea --Reform of procurement operations, Public Procurement Service

Western Asia
Lebanon -- Research, training and continuous education, Education Center for Research and Development

Latin America
Chile -- El sitio Web del servicio, Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)

Media enquiries:
Catherine Clement
Director of Communications
604-873-7270

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Last modified: Tuesday, March 11, 2003