In the last few months I have repeated over and over again the same message about the core theme of WUF3 – " Turning Ideas to Actions". Already in the first few days of the Forum, participants from many different cultures and circumstances have come together and are networking together to do just that, and they are beginning to change the world in the process.
The ideas don’t have to be grand programs with huge budgets to be considered. Sometimes, it’s the modest, down to earth suggestions borne of necessity that can bring together to most unlikely of partners in common cause to make a difference. A few recent examples come to mind.
In South Africa, Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who is a speaker at WUF3, forged a formal partnership with the Federation of the Urban Poor (FEDUP), a Shack Dwellers International affiliate in South Africa. The partnership will be supported by roughly R230 million in subsidies to buy land and to build housing in communities whose daily lives are plagued by unprotected exposure to the elements, by insecurity and poverty.
As Madame Sisulu stated, it’s a new way of doing things and the partnership is built on an understanding that "each of us have a responsibility toward changing the fortunes of the poor.…The message is out, we are in this together."
Another example of an unlikely partnership is project mounted by the Mumbai Police Department to make at least 50,000 slum dwellers literate by August 2007. Seven slums areas have been targeted for a 10-week program that will give learners the option to choose one of nine languages.
What is even more significant about this initiative is that jobless computer-literate youths will be appointed as teachers. Illiterate slum-dwellers are often duped, as they have no option but to give their thumb impressions on documents they cannot read.
"The programme will empower the slum dwellers and help them to read documents, letters, prices on products and bus numbers. They will no longer have to depend on others to read for them," said police commissioner A.K. Roy, who conceived of the project.
Another emerging idea that will affect the well being of slum dwellers in India is the engagement of slums residents as Community Police Officers. One concept being considered is that slum dwellers themselves would select 10 community police officers from their own community (7 women and 3 men) and the police would assign 2 officers. Together they would sort out local disputes and act as investigators on felonies.
Community Policing and Outreach Programs are not new in India. What is different about this idea is that the slum dwellers themselves would choose who would exercise policing responsibilities in their neighbourhoods.
To the many millions living in the slums of India’s great cities, such partnerships will help immeasurably to improve safety and security. As was noted in the Background Paper distributed at WUF3, cities need to involve local groups, and in particular local youth, to design strategies to improve safety and security.
The ideas noted above are quite straight forward. What makes them special is that when different players - such as slum dwellers and government agencies - come together to turn the ideas into tangible actions, things begin to change.
This is what will make WUF3 a turning point in history in our combined efforts to make cities everywhere better places in which to live.
Dear Commissioner Kelly
Wow!
InternAfrica would like to express heartfelt gratitude to you, UN Habitat, Vancouver, WUF3 organisers, and IBM.
We could participate through the use of technology. It was strange living the week in Vancouver time, we all feel like we have jetlag in our own city. Clearly nothing like what was experienced at the WUF3! We were excited to participate and share the webcasts with those that don’t have access.
A good few new ideas were shared and we all learnt so much. Plus we have actionable ideas and planning guidelines.
Most importantly we are in this together.
InternAfrica has already worked through your suggestions and are pleased to report we are ‘steady on target’ with the steps laid out. This is inspirational, coupled with the energy and international availability of WUF3, we managed to network with and make new connections with many likeminded organizations.
Wow!
Habitat Jam WUF3 was a life saver for us.
We look forward to being at Nanjing in 2008 to learn and share more success stories.
Thank You
André du Plessis & InternAfricans
Posted by: Andre du Plessis | June 25, 2006 at 00:41
any live chats for the conference?
Posted by: D | June 22, 2006 at 13:58