Join the United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA/DSPD) in celebrating World Cities Day 2017 with a panel discussion on “Enabling future cities to be smart. Strategies to prevent urban poverty and promote social inclusion and wellbeing.”
TOPIC By 2030 more than 60% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities. Urban centers will face key challenges in ensuring that the needs of people living in hardship are met. As cities become smart, they must also provide equal access to the benefits of technological progress for vulnerable social groups and leave no one behind. Innovation can be a catalyst for change and ensure that our cities and communities are resilient. As part of the Expert Discussion Series, the event will serve as a platform for experts to share their knowledge and identify solutions to the challenges smart cities will face in offering accessible infrastructure, services, and information.
FORMAT Presentations followed by a moderated discussion.
CONCEPT A key challenge faced by cities is to ensure the engagement of all people living in situations of hardship and to promote inclusivity. Smart cities in the future should meet the needs of vulnerable members among social groups such as families, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, older persons and youth and thus need to reinvent themselves in the way they communicate, plan and respond to the complex needs of their people. Technological and social innovation is allowing cities to explore solutions and create smarter and inter-connected communities that can enhance service delivery, improve citizen’s lives and reduce urban poverty. Innovation can be a catalyst for change and ensure that our cities and communities are resilient and inclusive for all people of all ages.
Building upon the fruitful discussions held during “Accessible Cities United 2016” and the adoption of the New Urban Agenda (Habitat III), the United Nations Division for Social Policy of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs is organizing this high-level event in the lead up to the 56th Commission for Social Development to draw attention to the importance of identifying innovative and inclusive strategies to build sustainable, resilient and accessible communities that foster innovation and inter-connectivity, and prevent urban poverty by leaving no one behind.
WHEN: Tuesday, 31 October 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Conference Room 11, General Assembly Building, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY (UN Visitors’ Entrance located on 1st Ave between 45th and 46th Street)
OPENING REMARKS: Daniela Bas, Director, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Social Policy and Development
MODERATOR: Robert Venne, Social Affairs Officer at UN DESA Division for Social Policy and Development PANELLISTS: Roberto Ciambetti, President, Regional Council of Veneto Filiep Decorte, Director a.i., UN-Habitat NY Liaison Office Sol Salinas, Managing Director, Mobility – Global Connected Spaces, Global Lead, Connected Campus & Cities, Accenture Digital John Farmer, Director, Technology and Civic Innovation, Microsoft
Read Full Story | Source: Accessible Cities United @ Conference Room 11, New York – 31 OCT 2017
