Riverside joins Harvard government program

Riverside recently participated in the Leading Civic Engagement in Cities program at Harvard University’s John. F. Kennedy School of Government.

City officials traveled to Cambridge, Ma. to take part in the one-week program, where they were taught new ways to work with residents and develop strategies that solve local problems, according to a statement on the city’s website.

Riverside, one of only 15 cities worldwide asked to participate in the program, is already applying what it learned to improve its ability to fight wildfires.

“Being selected for this program is a tremendous honor and opportunity,” City Manager Mike Futrell said in the statement. “Learning new skills helps build the strong city staff teams needed to tackle the complex issues facing communities today. This isn’t just theory, it’s a springboard to action.”

The program was sponsored by the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, which helps mayors and senior city officials improve the quality of life in their cities, according to the statement.