International relations
2026 | Namur and Terrebonne sign a new cooperation agreement during the AIMF Bureau meeting
On the occasion of the 107th Bureau meeting of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), the City of Namur welcomed a delegation from the City of Terrebonne led by Mayor Mathieu Traversy, accompanied by Marc-André Michaud, Municipal Councillor, and Serge Villandré, Director General. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two cities through projects focusing on innovation, territorial development and international cooperation.
A 2027–2029 cooperation agreement signed in Namur
One of the highlights of the visit was the signing, on 11 June 2026, of the new 2027–2029 cooperation agreement between the Cities of Namur and Terrebonne.
The agreement defines five priority areas of cooperation:
- municipal innovation and artificial intelligence;
- economic development and the ecological transition;
- addressing social precarity;
- higher education and student mobility;
- cultural outreach.
This agreement confirms the two cities’ commitment to developing concrete projects based on the sharing of expertise and innovation for the benefit of their territories and citizens.
Strengthening academic exchanges between Namur and Terrebonne
Following on from this agreement, and more specifically its focus on higher education and student mobility, an academic cooperation agreement was signed on 8 June 2026 between Hénallux and the Cégep de Lanaudière (which has a campus in Terrebonne), represented by its Director, Geneviève Perreault. The agreement aims to strengthen exchanges between higher education institutions in the two territories.
A first participation in the AIMF “Social Precarity” Commission
The Terrebonne delegation also took part in the first meeting of the AIMF “Social Precarity” Commission, co-chaired by the Public Centre for Social Welfare (CPAS) of the City of Namur and the City of Porto-Novo.
On this occasion, the City of Terrebonne presented the model developed by La Hutte, an organisation specialising in supporting people experiencing homelessness. Its integrated approach, combining accommodation, health support and social reintegration, contributed to discussions between the participating cities on local responses to situations of social precarity.
Discussions on public-sector innovation
During their visit to Namur, the Terrebonne representatives met with Bruno Dumas, President of the Namur Digital Institute (NaDI) at the University of Namur, to discuss issues relating to digital governance and the development of responsible artificial intelligence in support of public administrations.
The delegation also met with Samuel Nottebaert, Head of the Geomatics and Urban Geography Department of the City of Namur, who presented the City’s Open Data strategy and the digital tools developed to support public action.
Discovering initiatives in Namur
The visit also provided the delegation with an opportunity to discover several initiatives led by the City of Namur.
The Terrebonne representatives notably attended a mock Municipal Council meeting organised with students from the Institut Mariette Delahaut, illustrating the City’s commitment to encouraging young people’s participation in civic life.
They also took part in activities organised as part of the 20th anniversary of Grimpday at the Ecolys site, an international event bringing together rescue teams from around the world for rescue exercises and the sharing of good practices.
This visit confirms the commitment of the Cities of Namur and Terrebonne to strengthening cooperation based on the sharing of expertise, public-sector innovation, solidarity between local authorities and the development of joint projects for the benefit of their citizens.
