JAM Results

Over three days, from December 1-3, tens of thousands of people got on-line to discuss issues of urban sustainability. People from 191 countries registered for the JAM and shared their ideas for action to improve the lives of people living in slums, to improve the environment in cities, address issues of finance and security, governance, and the future of our cities.

The JAM was extraordinary because it was global and reached out to people who wouldn't otherwise be able to participate in the World Urban Forum next June. It was also extraordinary because we heard from people who don't often have a voice, especially women and youth in developing countries. Thousands of women in India participated in the JAM through moderators who went out into communities to seek their views. In the Philippines, women who had never before seen a computer were provided training and a Yahoo account so that they could participate. In Kenya, people lined up for hours to have access to computers so that they could have their say. An extraordinary number of people participated who are blind and deaf thanks to technology that made accessibility a priority.

The results of the discussion from the JAM will be part of a lasting legacy as the content is analyzed and included into the World Urban Forum agenda. Habitat JAM is an example of how we can combine innovation with our values of social inclusion and equality. As one of the JAMMERs said,"technology can be a powerful tool of communication and inclusion."

Read the final Habitat JAM report - (pdf file - 777KB)