23rd Conference of Mayors April 10-16, 2005

Leading the 21st Century City:Multiculturalism, Security, Preservation and
Development

Mayors Conference http://mayors.jerusalem.muni.il

For immediate release:

April 6, 2005 - Some 70 mayors from 32 countries around the globe will
convene in Jerusalem on Sunday April 10th for a week-long study tour
focusing on growing issues for the 21st century city: multiculturalism,
security, and development and preservation (see attached program). The city
leaders represent a wide spectrum of backgrounds and cultures, and bring a
variety of skills in business, education and community experience to the
conference.

Open discussions at City Hall and visits to city projects will provide the
mayors a dynamic platform for mutual exploration of common challenges. "The
opportunity to work with an international delegation of mayors and share our
experiences is a major honor, " said Mayor of Columbus, Michael B. Coleman,
who is one of 13 mayors in the US delegation. "Columbus is a diverse and
growing international city, and our examples of economic development,
affordable housing initiatives and after-school education are just a few of
the stories I will share as an ambassador for Central Ohio."

Sunday evening will be marked by a festive reception at City Hall where
Mayor Uri Lupolianski, the host of the 23rd Jerusalem Conference of Mayors,
will officially open the conference. From Safra Square, the mayors will
move to the Jerusalem Conference Center to join Israel's top business and
community leaders at the Jerusalem Conference 2005. Meetings with
President of Israel Moshe Katsav, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of
Industry, Trade and Labor Ehud Olmert, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom, and Minister of Housing Isaac Herzog will
provide participants with a broad overview of key issues on Israel's
national agenda.

Other highlights of the conference include an informal gathering in
Caesarea- with Israeli mayors and heads of local authorities, an open
discussion with members of the delegation of Arabs and Jews who visited
Auschwitz together, and a briefing with OC Northern Command Gen. Benny Ganz
on the Golan Heights. There will also be visits to Christian, Moslem and
Jewish holy sites and a special Sabbath dinner with spiritual leaders
representing various faiths.