Published March 17 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The City of Bellevue has earned national recognition for adopting a plan to support and take advantage of its growing diversity. Bellevue was one of just seven cities around the country to receive a Cultural Diversity Award from the National League of Cities.
Councilmember Conrad Lee accepted the award at an NLC conference in Washington, D.C. last week and presented the award to the council last night. The NLC established the award in 1995 to recognize cities that implement programs that enhance and promote cultural diversity in their communities.
In December the Bellevue City Council unanimously adopted the "Bellevue Diversity Initiative: The Diversity Advantage." Drafted after years of community outreach, the plan recommends more than 60 actions the city can take to improve services for people of all cultures, and that the community can take to adjust to and make the most of living in a multicultural city. "It truly is a shining example of diversity and total community collaboration and partnership," said Lee.
Over the past several decades, Bellevue has grown into a dynamic, international and multicultural city. The population has diversified in age, race and ethnicity, income, ability and other factors. There are almost 85 languages now spoken in Bellevue schools, and minorities represent more than 40 percent of the resident population.
While that diversity provides the economy with competitive advantages, enriches the city's culture and provides new leadership, it challenges all residents and local institutions, including the city. Many of the diversity plan's actions involve cultural competence as it relates to city government, the community, public safety, education, human services, economic development and civic engagement.
"With one-third of the city's population foreign-born, Bellevue welcomes the world," Lee said, quoting the 20-year vision adopted by the council last year. "Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past," he said, again quoting the council vision.
For the NLC award, Bellevue was a runner-up to Gainesville, Fla., in the 100,000-400,000 population category.
For additional information about Bellevue's diversity plan, please contact Camron Parker, senior planner with the Parks & Community Services Department, cparker@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-2032.
The NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. More information is available at City Cultural Diversity Awards.