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Habitat JAM, an unprecedented global event where tens of thousands of world citizens unite online to debate urban sustainability issues, will be held for 72 hours from 1-3 December, 2005.
Sponsored by the Government of Canada, in partnership with UN-HABITAT and IBM, the Habitat JAM promises to engage, empower and stimulate tens of thousands of global citizens, rich and less fortunate alike, with the ultimate goal of turning ideas into action on critical issues related to urban sustainability.
The Habitat JAM is a preparatory event to the third session of the World Urban Forum being held in Vancouver in June 2006. The World Urban Forum is an initiative of the United Nations Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) held every two years to debate ideas and issues about sustainable development in today’s context of rapid urbanization. Topics for discussion will include improving the lives of people living in slums, access to water, environmental sustainability, safety and security, finance and governance, and the future of our cities.
“We live in an increasingly urban world which is unfortunately divided between the North and the South. What is worse is that in most cities, wherever they are, people are forced to live in divided cities. Cities in developing countries are suffering from problems associated with rapid urbanization, which has led to over one billion people living in slums without adequate shelter and basic services. In developed countries, citizens suffer from the effects of ill-planned cities and environmental degradation. At the heart of this crisis is a failure to consult and to allow the full participation of ordinary people in the development of the city. It is my hope that innovative technologies associated with Habitat JAM will help bring people closer together to plan and develop truly human settlements,” adds Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, UN-HABITAT.
The Habitat JAM will bring together academics and students, planners and builders, politicians, governments, the private sector and ordinary citizens from across the globe in real time, all contributing ideas and expertise during the 72-hour global problem-solving session. Moderators will include government leaders, renowned experts, and key thinkers.
Source
- Habitat JAM website
- Habitat JAM brochure
- Tapping into the Wisdom of Communities (Irving Wladawsky-Berger, Vice President, Technical Strategy and Innovation, IBM Corporation)