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“Cities are recognized as national engines of economic growth. But they are much more. Cities are also the crucible for cultural fusion. Standing astride every intersection on the global network of trade and migration, the world’s cities must become shining examples of inclusiveness and equity as called for in the Millennium Declaration. Otherwise, they will remain potential flashpoints of conflict and reservoirs of poverty – barriers to humanity’s further development.”
A message read out on behalf of Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General,World Urban Forum 2004.
On September 13, 2004, the Second World Forum organised by UN-Habitat, opened in Barcelona, Spain. Organisers estimated that over 5,000 people were present at the conference which took place on Barcelona's newly refurbished waterfront. Delegates included several internationally renowned leaders, and over 600 mayors from around the world. World leaders and mayors warned that rapid urbanization is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the new Millennium.
Among the numerous meetings and events held throughout the Forum, we include a brief description of the following for crime prevention practitioners:
- On September 14, UN-Habitat launched its flagship report, The State of the World’s Cities 2004/2005, highlighting both the progress and challenges we face in an increasingly urbanised world.
- A networking event on Urban Space and Security Policies organized by the UN HABITAT Safer cities programme, the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne and the Small Arms Survey provided an opportunity for researchers to discuss the links between urban space and urban safety. Researchers presented studies in contexts as different as Douala, Cameroon, Catania, Italy, and Brazil. The participants agreed on the importance of sharing their results with policymakers and others in the field. A new network on safety and urban space was launched that aims to exchange practices, identify issues for further action, and develop tools and approaches in support of cities facing insecurity worldwide. For more information, visit www.unhabitat.org/safercities
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, one of five such regional bodies, UNECE, one of five UN Regional Commissions presented its findings on the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in urban regeneration. PPPs have contributed to renovating cities, generating employment opportunities, and improving access to public services. In addition to the members of the PPP Alliance, over 100 individuals attended this meeting, including speakers from the private sector, government and NGOs. The outcome was a commitment to expand the UNECE network in the ECE region, and to share practices working closely with UN Habitat, ILO, the EU and development banks.
The Ibero-American and Carribean Forum on Best Practices (founded in 1997) presented a series of regional best practices at a well attended meeting. UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean coordinates this project which involves institutions from Latin America. The meeting also provided an opportunity to share experiences on practices in other parts of the world. The forum also launched a Best Practices Transfer Regional Award, sponsored by the Municipality of Medellin, Colombia (Conference News, September 15).
Later in the week, some 12 hip-hop artists from around the world gathered for the world's first international hip-hop concert. Following this event, youth groups, hip-hop artists and executives of the recording and entertainment industry held the first Global Hip-Hop Summit to discuss the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They presented a joint "Declaration of Principles and Call for Action" and launched a “Messengers of Truth Project”. This project designed to inform and empower 300 million young people living in slums and inner cities. The hip-hop artists, appointed as the first “Messengers of Truth” will be charged with raising awareness of the MDGs, and helping raise funds to help alleviate slum conditions. It is estimated that there are 1 billion slum dwellers worldwide, and more than 50 percent are under the age of 25 (Conference News, September 16). This event coincided with the Universal Forum of Cultures[i] which Barcelona is hosting from May 9 to 24 September.
Additional information can be found on UN-Habitat's website.
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