What can we do to fight urban poverty?

What can we do to fight urban poverty?

The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty - in Dublin

The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (WACAP) is a network of more than 900 cities working together to confront development challenges collectively. It was started by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1996 following the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements. The Alliance supports its member cities to mobilize individuals, governments, and all sectors of society to confront the many challenges of urban poverty and to share successes - and failures - with other cities.

On 20th and 21st February 2013, Dublin City Council will co-host with UNDP, in partnership with UN Women, UNICEF and the UN Institute for Training and Research, the 8th Forum of the World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty. More than 500 people from all corners of the globe will gather in Dublin to agree on how technology can help the world address the causes and the effects of poverty. The event will seek to identify how technology companies working with cities can help build a safer, smarter and sustainable planet. Moreover, anyone, anywhere, with Internet access is invited to participate in the interactive Forum of the World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty in Dublin. This is the first time that those affected by urban challenges – the citizens - can take part in the discussions, submit questions and solutions and follow the conference online.

•    Follow the live tweets on @undplive | #WACAP
•    Comment & share the Facebook updates on www.facebook.com/wacapnetwork
•    Send your questions, comments or blogs on how to make cities smarter, safer and more sustainable to i This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Will technology liberate individuals and nations, enhance human dignity and create better economic models? How can we make cities smart, safe and sustainable? By addressing the major urban challenges that underpin poverty (be it economic, energy, water, education, health, safety or participation) we might be able to create equal opportunities and build communities and economies. The "soul and heart" of this event is not technology, nor city leadership, but rather how generosity of spirit by city and business leaders can improve and save lives of human beings enslaved by the chains of poverty.