Dialogues

The main focus of discussion during the five-day Forum will be a series of dialogues that will bring together two or three speakers who will offer views on topics related to the sub-themes. Facilitators will engage participants from the audience to join in the discussion.

Sub-theme 1: Urban Growth and the Environment
Sound planning and management are major factors in ensuring sustainable urban development. Two dialogue sessions under this sub-theme will focus on:

• The Shape of Cities: Urban Planning and Management
  How to involve citizens in planning and ensuring urban sustainability through new planning approaches, rational land use and the design of more liveable spaces.
• Energy: Local Action, Global Impact
  How to reduce energy consumption of cities, lessen their contribution to global warming and develop sustainable transportation as well as affordable and efficient urban energy policies and strategies.

Sub-theme 2: Partnership and Finance
Cities with strong and vibrant economies depend on the partnership efforts of many stakeholders at local, national and international levels. Two dialogue sessions under this sub-theme will focus on:

• Municipal Finance: Innovation and Collaboration
  How to balance the need for a strong fiscal base while attracting foreign and domestic investment and encouraging community-based economic development and the economic empowerment of youth and women.
• Urban Safety and Security: Taking Responsibility
  How to put in place policies and practices for urban safety, crime and conflict prevention to contribute to economically productive, culturally vibrant and socially inclusive cities and communities.

Sub-theme 3: Social Inclusion and Cohesion
Good urban governance and leadership, including pro-poor, gender sensitive policies and legislation, are key to preventing marginalization, social exclusion and urban poverty. Two dialogue sessions under this sub-theme will focus on:

• Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Slum Upgrading and
  Affordable Housing
  How to reach the water, sanitation and slum upgrading targets of the Millennium Declaration, while exploring the ability of slums to capitalize on economies of scale in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
• Public Engagement: The Inclusive Approach
  How to put in place urban policies and strategies that engage all city dwellers: long-term residents, international migrants, the poor, marginalized groups, national minorities, indigenous peoples, with a particular focus on migrants, youth and women.