The 2000 Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment recognizes that the Hamilton-Wentworth Air Quality Initiative (HAQI) and VISION 2020 are among the worldÕs top strategies for improving a communitys environment, economy, society and overall quality of life. A key consideration in winning the award is that the initiatives rely on partnerships between the public, private and civic sectors of society.

Hamilton-Wentworth beat out 760 submissions from more than 100 countries to join nine other finalists, each of whom receives a US $30,000 prize. Only four other North American communities have received the honour since the awardÕs reception in 1996. This yearÕs award was presented on Nov. 20 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

VISION 2020 is a strategy to ensure that future development in our region equally benefits the environment, economy, society and overall health of citizens. The planÕs development was spearheaded by the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth, with assistance from numerous local agencies and organizations. Ways to promote and implement the strategy are currently being pursued by ACTION 2020, a group of community stakeholders.

HAQI was initiated in 1995 to assess local air quality and set new priorities in air quality management. It led to the first-ever study of air quality and its health effects in Hamilton-Wentworth. In 1998, a committee was formed to promote the initiative and implement recommendations that will improve air quality. The committee, known as HAQIC, has launched a number of programs including a smog response plan, tree planting programs and a street cleaning initiative. Environment Canada has provided financial assistance to HAQI, while OntarioÕs Ministry of Environment and McMaster University provided technical assistance. Local businesses, consultants and citizens groups have also provided valuable input.

"This award recognizes the participation and commitment by industry, government and academia in developing comprehensive strategies to improve the health of our region. I congratulate all the stakeholders who are working to implement sustainable development strategies and improve air quality. Clearly, this is a mark of distinction," said Regional Chairman Terry Cooke.

Hamilton-Wentworth was represented in Dubai by Lee Ann Coveyduck, general manager of Hamilton-WentworthÕs community planning and development division, and her colleague, Sonya Kapusin, a long-range planning policy analyst.

Related and backgrounder web sites:

DubaiInternational Award for Best Practices http://dubai-award.dm.gov.ae/index.html

Habitat's 2000 Best Practices web site http://www.bestpractices.org

Hamilton Air Quality Improvement Committee http://www.airquality.hamilton.on.ca

VISION 2020 http://www.vision2020.hamilton-went.on.ca

Sustainable Development.org http://www.sustainabledevelopment.org

United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) http://www.unchs.org/