Maintaining close ties between territorial authorities and local foreign authorities has become an important aspect of development aid policy in France. Moreover, decentralised cooperation policy is clearly closely linked to action undertaken at the international level by other public or private actors from the Aix conglomeration. For this reason, the city of Aix-en-Provence has initiated bi-annual meetings called “Rendez-vous de l’International†(International meetings) whose aims are to develop exchange and partnership between the city and its local actors involved in international cooperation.
Nevertheless, how in a territory with a large number of actors involved in international activities, is it possible to coordinate work efforts and ensure a local development tool ?
How, as the territory has already gained an international image, can new synergies between actors of the territory be created ?
In an attempt to answer such questions, the city of Aix-en-Provence has decided to create new momentum that takes into consideration the expectations of local partners by establishing a collaborative website. This media tool should also facilitate ongoing work, being the basis of the « Rendez-Vous de l’International » (RDVI) events.
The main goals of the collaborative website, RDVI intermediary, are :
The production of concrete information in a spirit of mutual cooperation and through networking, identification of partners and common project development,
A comprehensive and quick overview of the international action of actors of the territory,
The creation of information and support tools aimed at the participation of local actors,
The opening of the network of institutional partners of the city of Aix-en-Provence to all of the local actors,
The intensification of ties between high schools, universities and business to facilitate internships and a variety of other projects,
Assisting in strengthening local capacities of different foreign partners through the search for synergies.