Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is currently in Brazil to attend the World Cities Culture Summit with his senior advisor David Grewal and Branislav Henselmann, the city’s deputy general manager of arts, culture and community services.
Sim’s wife, Teena, will also attend the conference in São Paulo at her own expense and be travelling separately, according to a statement Friday to Glacier Media from the mayor’s office.
The combined cost for Sim and Grewal is estimated at $10,000.
The city’s communications department didn’t immediately have a cost for Henselmann’s portion of the trip, but said the conference will cover accommodation, local transportation and meals.
"Full city costs will be available after the conference concludes," said the city, adding that Henselmann is part of the World Cities Culture Forum’s City Advisory Committee and will present and speak on two panels at the conference.
The conference is scheduled to run from Oct. 25 to 27, but the mayor’s office said Sim left Thursday.
The mayor, who recently celebrated one year since his Oct. 15 election, will make a speech and participate in the panel, “Changing dynamics: How can citizens have their say on cultural policy?”
Vancouver is a member of the World Cities Culture Forum. Member cities meet once a year to share the best ideas and solutions for placing culture at the heart of city planning and investment, the mayor’s office said.
“Mayor Ken Sim was personally invited to the summit by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan,” his office said.
“The summit covers topics including but not limited to AI, climate change, power sharing, and culture in conflict. Member cities will share their experiences of leading with creativity and resilience and supporting each other in the face of uncertainty and a changing world.”
The theme of this year’s conference is “culture, courage and leadership for a new world.”
The summit takes place in a different host city every year “so leaders can immerse themselves in different cultures,” said the mayor’s office.
In addition to his visit to São Paulo, Sim will also meet in Rio de Janeiro with that city’s mayor — Eduardo Paes — and Canada’s Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, François Jubinville, “to explore opportunities for collaboration,” his office said.
