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Contact: Lisa Itamura, 703 998 0072, litamura@acce.org
Alexandria,
VA (25 September 2009) - The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is pleased
to announce that Steve Wray, executive director of the Economy League of Greater
Philadelphia, has successfully completed the Fellowship for Regional Sustainable
Development, funded by the Ford Foundation.
"Spurring sustainable
development is one of the major issues facing business-led civic
organizations as they seek to broaden economic opportunity for
the people in their regions," says Mick Fleming, president of ACCE.
"The Fellowship allowed
regional leaders like Steve Wray to deepen their understanding of the policies and practices that foster
inclusive long-term growth and enhanced quality of life.
Professionals such as Wray are in a unique position to convene, lead, and
facilitate regional approaches to economic development and entrepreneurship
because they are the connectors among the business community, public sector,
and ordinary citizens."
Wray was one of 54 executives representing diverse communities and personal backgrounds from across North America. There are now more than 90 alumni of the Fellowship program.
The Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development is a unique 12-month program for regional leaders who build communities and economies. It provides hands-on training, peer knowledge exchange, research, and examination of working models covering a wide range of growth and sustainability issues, including: infrastructure, immigration, land use, housing, education, environment, and social inclusion. Drawing on the tools, policies, and practices learned during the Fellowship, each participant crafts a "regional action project" that addresses an opportunity for or barrier to creating sustainable, inclusive prosperity for his or her own region.
Wray chose the Fellowship opportunity to augment World Class Greater Philadelphia, an Economy League initiative in its early phase, for his regional action project. World Class Greater Philadelphia effort is developing a global positioning strategy in order to ensure a prosperous, sustainable, and authentic future for the tri-state region that comprises Greater Philadelphia. "Input from this cohort of national talent has been and will continue to be important to the success of this initiative," said Wray. "One of the things I've learned is that there's more we have in common with other metros than is different. Sharing knowledge and best practices is key to the success of any venture that a region undertakes."
About the Ford Foundation
The 2008-2009 program represents the second year that the Ford Foundation, headquartered in New York, has funded the Fellowship. During the Foundation's 70-year history, over $15 billion in funding distributed world-wide has supported programs related to asset building and community development; peace and social justice; and knowledge, creativity and freedom.
About the American Chamber of Commerce Executives
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association uniquely serving the professional development needs of individuals managing chambers of commerce throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 6,000 professionals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staffs through education, trend analysis, benchmarking, and best practices. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.
About the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and analysis of the region's resources and challenges with the goal of promoting sound public policy and increasing the region's prosperity. ELGP is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Economy League, Inc., with offices in Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.EconomyLeague.org.
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