16/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Office of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) has changed its name to “Ideali”, the European Foundation of Cities (Italian). The foundation aims to promote and distribute the European ideal, the role of local authorities in the Community political debate, approximation of local government practices and experiences and closer ties between Italian and European cities. The Ideali Foundation also seeks to play a “network of networks” role by establishing a single network focusing on urban policy. This network will include the main Italian networks such as “Città Urban”, l'Association des villes strategiques, the “Agenda 21” cities and coordination between Italian cities and Eurocities. Its president is Sergio Chiamparino, Mayor of Turin. (Information: Simone d'Antoni; avenue des Arts 39; B-1040 Bruxelles; Tel: +32 2 2133082 ; dantonio@ideali.be; http: //http://www.ideali.be ). (mb)