- To act as a forum for strategic proposals on how to develop the city’s international relations and strengthen its image,

- To promote the inclusion of an international element in all city projects,

- To encourage the forces that give the Marseilles Metropolitan Area its strength and vitality to work in synergy.

The CIVM can be defined as a tool for identifying, analysing and evaluating all the elements of Marseilles’ international influence by bringing the work of all of those involved in the city’s development together in a coordinated effort.

Members:

The CIVM is chaired by the Mayor of Marseilles. The Mayors of Lyons, Barcelona and Genoa, signatories of the “Charter of Alliance”, are honorary members. Associate members include councillors and representatives of: the public, regional and consular authorities; the economic, social, cultural and higher education sectors; civil society; and national, European and international organisations.

Operation:

In order to be able to meet the objectives set as effectively as possible, a consultation programme was launched by the Department for International Relations of Marseilles city council, which coordinates the CIVM. We considered it worthwhile to take stock of the actual situation at international level, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the various partners from the economic, cultural and institutional sectors, and target the expectations of the Council members.

A field survey was carried out based on interviews with around thirty major players in the public and private sectors active on an international scale. This study, the results of which were presented in November 2003, required many months of work in order to produce a report on the city’s international activity.

On the basis of the recommendations of this report, a Steering Committee was established in December 2003. This Committee is responsible for bringing CIVM ideas to life and suggesting ways in which the city’s international presence can be improved. It is composed of important players in the private and public sectors.

Following the first Steering Committee meeting in January 2004, five working groups were created: three “geographical” groups – the Mediterranean, Asia, and Europe, and two “theme” groups – International fundamentals and Multimedia. For each group, a reporter was appointed to be in charge of reporting to the Steering Committee on concrete proposals. It was also agreed that the term of these groups should be six months, this term being renewable.

The CIVM meets for a plenary session once a year and presents the results of the work of the various working groups.