UCLG’s 2nd World Congress, Jeju, Korea, 28-31 October 2007
2007 is a very symbolic year for us. For the first time ever, over half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas. And for only the second time ever, representatives of the world’s largest and most representative regional and local government organization will gather for the 2nd UCLG World Congress, where they will address the issues in the face of this unprecedented urban migration. We have a massive challenge ahead of us and it demands the pooled expertise, experience and enthusiasm of all UCLG’s members and partners in Jeju to focus the international communities’ attention on the exemplary performance and unquestionable potential of local governments in resolving problems affecting everyone.
The theme of the Congress “Changing cities are driving our world” captures both the dynamism and the crucial role played by local authorities of all sizes. Our aim is to focus on some key aspects of global governance where we feel local authority’s involvement is essential:
Cities the future of humanity; addressing climate change.
City Diplomacy: Local Governments building peace
2015: a better world is possible. Local governments in a new global governance.
There will also be practical sessions aiming at finding concrete solutions for common problems. The workshops will deal with issues related to the daily management of local governments including promoting access to basic services, facilitating mobility, ensuring social inclusion, contingency planning for pandemics and many more. These workshops will allow participants to hear the experiences of other local governments in these fields and share their own.
Naturally, the World Congress offers an unparalleled networking opportunity where you can exchange best practices with counterparts from around the world on how to address the issues affecting your city. Private partners will also be present and looking to discuss effective public-private partnership opportunities.
Since its creation in May 2004, UCLG has worked tirelessly towards a formal advisory role for local government within the United Nations. We believe the United Nations can only develop truly effective global policies by consulting those people who have the experience and know-how to implement the policies on the ground: mayors and local governments.
UCLG’s efforts have been rewarded with some real milestone developments in its relations such as the adoption of the International Guidelines on Decentralization opening an important door towards an international reference framework and the recognition of the role of local governments in the Millennium Development agenda.
Over the past three years we have also pursued our mission to monitor local democracy. The first UCLG Global Report on Decentralisation and Local Democracy will be presented at the Jeju World Congress. The report – the first of its kind - aims to periodically assess the progress and obstacles to the growth of local democracy and decentralisation around the world. It will analyse trends, seeking to understand them and anticipate the way they may develop in the future.
In Jeju we will be setting the UCLG global agenda for the coming three years and we will be setting the pace for sustainable change across the planet.
We look forward to having you with us in Jeju helping us shaping the future of humanity
1st Announcement II UCLG World Congress
