The WUF3 program began with an Opening Ceremony and session that included a mix of entertainment and speeches by dignitaries.

Three plenaries, organized around the three sub-themes, featured renowned speakers and media personalities offering context and thought-provoking views that led smoothly into the Dialogue Sessions. Leading journalists and personalities moderated the dialogues to engage participants, including slum dwellers, women, youth, mayors, government officials, and others, in free, open dialogue sessions.

Roundtables were offered on June 19 and June 21. A new element to WUF, these roundtables brought together ministers, mayors, parliamentarians, youth, women, and other peer groups into smaller sessions to share experiences and views on the topics related to the Forum. UN-HABITAT, the Government of Canada, the GLOBE Foundation, and partner organizations designed the agendas of these roundtables to ensure that they centered on the themes of the conference. Many of the roundtables touched upon multiple themes including partnerships, social inclusion, and urban planning.

Networking events were a major focus of the conference; over 400 organizations partnered to put on 163 sessions. Non-governmental organizations, local, provincial and national governments, academics, and community-based organizations combined to show how their partnerships were enabling action in urban areas. Participants had the opportunity to build knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and share ideas and best practices. These partner-led events ranged in format from debates to simulations to panel discussions. Sessions were on diverse topics such as the role of sport in sustainable urbanization, empowering women in local governments, urban safety, rebuilding communities after disaster and conflict, engaging the private sector in sustainable urban development. Participation in the sessions was overwhelming and rooms overflowed with people sitting on the floor and waiting outside for the chance to participate.

Training Events were also introduced at WUF3. These sessions were designed to impart professional skills to urban development practitioners. They were organized by the United Nations Development Programme World Campus in cooperation with other organizations such as UN-HABITAT, United Nations Environment Program, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In an effort to turn ideas into action at the Forum, these sessions were practical, hands-on courses designed to provide participants with practical tools that they could bring back to implement in their communities. “It's so easy to dismiss the UN as a bunch of people who get together for conferences and to waste taxpayers' money,” said one urban planner. “In fact, UN-HABITAT is providing training and tools to people who are making change happen in their communities.”

New special sessions were included in this Forum. These panel presentations, where experts shared topical information on specific subjects relevant to the Forum, included “Water, Sanitation and Human Settlements,” “From Vancouver to Nanjing,” and “The Future of Cities.”

Wednesday, June 21 was Local Government Day at WUF3, providing a local focus to the events. The Local Government Session highlighted the local government experience and leadership in achieving sustainability. Panelists from Africa, South America, North America, Europe, and Asia provided a diverse range of perspectives. The Mayors' Roundtable brought together over 100 mayors and senior municipal leaders to discuss actions and solutions for addressing the challenges that local government face in achieving the MDGs. A variety of networking sessions that were of special interest to municipal officials were also held throughout the week. View the Quicktime Video or the Windows Media Video

The Exposition was a highlight of the Forum. It showcased 70 international exhibitions with leading edge projects, ideas, case studies, experiences, and best practices. Seventy exhibits included exciting showcases from Canada, Sweden, China, the City of Montreal, Slum Dwellers International, UN-HABITAT, and many others. View the Quicktime Video or the Windows Media Video

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