Larry D. Lauer

I recently participated in a conversation about how cities might be able to help solve international problems. At the conclusion I came away thinking that this was a real possibility. So I made a list of the reasons why:

(1) City administrations tend to be more nonpartisan than national governments.

(2) Many city mayors, managers and their executives have serious problems right down the street and therefore tend to be very pragmatic.

(4) Many of those problems are related to poverty and unemployment in nearby neighborhoods

(5) Young immigrants, sometimes second and third generation, tend to live in those neighborhoods and can become disillusioned about their future. Extreme groups offering a future coupled with adventure can sound very appealing and persuasive.

Great universities and great cities tend to have mutual interests in community problem solving, greater visibility, and internationalization. If terrorism is to be successfully addressed it must be addressed in city neighborhoods, and universities certainly can help.

Cities must addresses the root causes. But universities can provide the essential research, project interventions, job training, and leadership education.

In the final analysis, city government officials and university leaders in the great cities of the world just might be more effective in curbing terrorism than most national governments, which tend to get paralyzed by ideology and unbridled egos.