UK councils can exchange solutions with overseas councils because they often find themselves facing similar issues at home.

Sharing Skills & Good Practice - mutual benefits can be gained by both UK and overseas councils from promoting technical cooperation and sharing good practice

Improving working relations - with local organisations (both public & private) through close involvement in joint activities.

Staff development & motivation - such as improving the capacity of staff to work in difficult circumstances, building interpersonal, communicaiton and project management skills.

Increasing awareness of development & cultural diversity - via school partnerships, development education seminars, cultural events, campaign activities, work placements etc.

Improving partnerships with ethnic groups - through building cultural understanding, understanding local needs, promoting the contribution of ethnic groups to the local community.