Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, represented the city on a global stage as a keynote speaker at the Strong Cities Network’s Fifth Global Summit, held Dec. 3-5 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The summit brought together mayors, governors, and leaders from over 60 cities and municipalities worldwide, including seven U.S. mayors, to share innovative strategies for addressing hate, extremism, and polarization at the local level. Mayor Johnson shared Savannah’s vision for reimagining community safety, highlighting the importance of leadership and public engagement.

Drawing from the City’s experience, he spoke on the creation of specialized task forces, peacebuilding efforts, storytelling, and how his popular weekly “Friday Night Live” Facebook broadcasts have fostered transparency and dialogue.

“Reimagining community safety starts and ends with leadership—it begins with us, with cities,” said Mayor Johnson during his keynote address.

The Strong Cities Network is the world’s largest independent global coalition of sub-national authorities dedicated to combating all forms of hate and extremism through locally driven initiatives. The network provides a platform for collaboration among city leaders addressing these critical issues on the frontlines.

Mayor Johnson’s participation in the summit underscores Savannah’s growing reputation as a leader in innovative, people-centered governance. His insights and contributions reflect the City’s commitment to fostering safer, more inclusive communities and serve as a model for cities around the globe facing similar challenges.