Center for Innovative Diplomacy Archive

Cambridge, Massachusetts. Like a lot of folks, Jeb Brugmann wants city officials out of city hall. Unlike most, he'd like to see them visiting foreign governments, setting up trade agreements, sister city projects and cultural exchange programs.

"Over a thousand U.S. cities are deeply involved in world affairs issues," Brugmann says. And while some of those activities-divestment from firms doing business in South Africa and the shipment of development aid to Central American villages--might seem distinctly partisan, Brugmann insists there's a payoff. "Getting city governments involved in international affairs in general can mean big dividends for both local governments and international businesses, in general."