INTRODUCTORY PLENARY
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Imagine Society, Build Democracy:
Tackling the major challenges of our era from our cities and regions
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The introductory plenary will analyse major current and future challenges faced by local and regional governments throughout the world.
This session will provide insight on the impact of important global shifts that are currently taking place throughout the world, in particular on the effects of political, economic, social and environmental crisis on towns, cities and territories. Are we facing irreversible rifts or simply periodical readjustments?
In 2030, over 60% of the world’s population will live in cities. How can we face the challenges of increased urbanisation in all regions of the world? To what extent are cities, metropolitan areas and regions at the centre of today’s problems while also being at the heart of their solutions as we address the big questions of our era over energy, the environment, policy, society and culture?
The session will reflect on the impact of local democracy and retrace the contribution of the international municipal movement in the construction of local democracy throughout the 20th century and the reinforcement of decentralisation. It will also reflect on local democracy issues for the 21st century taking into account the impact of the “Arab Springs” and the recentralisation attempts in various regions.
What dimension should governance and democracy take in the Agenda of Cities and Regions for the 21st century? Important high-level figures will share their vision on all these issues, and more.
