City of Kitchener hosts Sri Lankan delegation for international exchange

The City of Kitchener welcomed a delegation of municipal leaders from Sri Lanka from April 20 to 21, 2026, as part of the Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI‑WILL) initiative. The visit is part of a global program funded by Global Affairs Canada and led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), aimed at strengthening gender equality in local governance and improving the quality of life for women and girls.

The delegation included elected officials, municipal secretaries, technical officers and coordinators from several Sri Lankan regions currently implementing community projects such as accessible parks, sanitation facilities, markets and drinking water systems. Their time in Kitchener included working sessions and site visits focused on peer learning, practical knowledge exchange, and approaches to inclusive municipal service delivery.

PMI‑WILL is a six‑year initiative (2021–2027) operating in Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, and Zambia. The City of Kitchener and the Town of Cobourg were selected as Canadian municipal partners for Sri Lanka, participating in reciprocal exchanges that emphasize collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. All activities are grounded in the project’s core values of equity, inclusion and partnership.

Kitchener staff have been actively engaged in the initiative since 2023, contributing expertise in gender‑responsive service delivery, project management, community consultation, and strategies to address marginalization. Peer-to-peer learning sessions delivered in Sri Lanka have supported local governments in developing inclusive service plans, strengthening proposal‑writing and budgeting skills, and applying gender‑equity principles to municipal planning and community engagement.

The visit built on this work, supporting Sri Lankan peers as they translate gender‑equality principles into real‑world improvements in municipal services. The exchange aligns with Kitchener’s strategic priorities of fostering a caring and connected city and reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Municipalities around the world face similar challenges, and initiatives like PMI‑WILL create opportunities for partners to learn from one another’s successes, constraints, and innovations. By supporting women leaders and promoting inclusive, gender‑responsive services, the program contributes to stronger, more equitable communities both globally and here at home.