We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Gaby Senay, our newest co-chair of the CIB Working Group. Gaby assumed her position as co-chair last month, succeeding our former co-chair Pascal Lavoie, who has started in a new position as Manager at Infrastructure Canada. We wish Pascal every succes and fulfillment in his new position and want to express our gratitude for all your invaluable contributions and positive impact you have had on the working group. As we sit down with Gaby for this introduction interview, we look forward to gaining insights for her vision for the CIB working group.
- Please introduce yourself:
At the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), I served as the Director for the Jordan Municipal Support project, overseeing a multi-million-dollar initiative implemented primarily in the South of Jordan. This project emphasized capacity building in local governance and solid waste management while prioritizing robust knowledge-sharing mechanisms. With over five long-term international postings working in development working with various donors and organizations across North Africa and Asia, I have continually fostered a special connection with local governments due to their proximity to communities.
- What has brought you to CIB?
I am motivated to engage with the CIB since it is dedicated to strengthening local governance and supporting municipalities globally. Joining CIB presents an invaluable chance to leverage FCM's experiences and insights while collaborating with professionals who share similar global objectives. It's an opportunity not only to share FCM's best practices but also to learn from a diverse international network, fostering mutual growth and innovation.
- Why do you think the CIB network is important?
The CIB network plays a pivotal role as a platform that connects professionals from Local Government Associations and local governments. This network serves as a critical space for sharing expertise, exchanging best practices, and collectively addressing the multifaceted challenges confronted by local governments worldwide. Through collaboration, CIB significantly contributes to fortifying the effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability of local governance structures, directly benefiting communities and regions globally.
- What do you hope to contribute to our network?
My primary goal is to leverage FCM's extensive experiences and expertise to enrich the CIB network. I aim to learn from other members' experiences while sharing FCM's successful strategies. I'm dedicated to contributing to the development of robust institution-building and capacity development approaches that empower local governments to effectively serve their communities. Furthermore, I am eager to absorb knowledge from others within the network to ensure a reciprocal exchange of ideas and strategies.