Nenshi, 43, is the best Mayor in the world.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: Calgary’s Naheed Nenshi was named recipient of the 2014 World Mayor Prize ahead of 29 other municipal leaders from around the world. Nenshi was granted the honor on Monday, which incidentally happened to be the politician’s 43rd birthday.
The World Mayor Prize’s website hails Nenshi as “an urban visionary who doesn’t neglect the nitty-gritty of local government.” It also notes that “for many in North America and … Europe, Mayor Nenshi is a role model for decisive management, inclusivity and forward planning.”
Nenshi — who was nominated after a multitude of Calgarians in Canada wrote letters of recommendation — landed the prize ahead of fellow mayors from Germany, Belgium, Indonesia, Venezuela, Greece, Turkey, and the Philippines.
Nenshi was initially elected in 2010 and became the first Muslim mayor of a major North American city. He was subsequently re-elected in 2013 with an overwhelming 74 percent of the overall votes.
Nenshi was born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Calgary by parents of South Asian origin who emigrated from Tanzania.
Other honors in Neshi’s trophy cabinet include the World Economic Forum’s 2011 Young Leader award, which he won for his innovative ideas on urban planning, and the Canadian Institute of Planners’ 2012 President’s Award, given for making progressive, helpful changes throughout Calgary’s municipality.
The World Mayor Prize trophy was first bestowed in 2004 and now trades hands every other year. It will be formally presented to Mayor Nenshi later in 2015.
Daniël Termont, Mayor of Ghent, Belgium, was awarded first runner-up along with a World Mayor Commendation for Services prize, while Mayor Tri Rismaharini of Surabaya, Indonesia garnered second runner-up and his own Commendation for Services.