[Reader-list] World Urban Youth Assembly International Essay Competition

[Gustaff Harriman Iskandar]

Introduction
The world urban population has
grown at very high rates over the past two decades. According to the
UN-HABITAT State of the World Cities Report 2008/2009, it is estimated
that by the middle of the 21st century, half of the world’s population
will be living in urban areas.

While the urban population in
developed countries will remain unchanged in the next two decades, the
urban populations in the developing world will more than double. The
majority of city inhabitants in the developing world are overwhelmingly
young people, and are the most affected by issues of poverty,
exclusion, and unemployment, access to housing, water and sanitation.

The theme for this year’s UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum which is being held in Rio de Janeiro from 22 to 26 March, “The right to the City– bridging the urban divide”
seeks to engage practitioners and policy makers to rethink the urban
utopia and identifying the best practices and actions in every city,
creating a better world where everyone can live with dignity, respect
and citizenship.

Young people living in urban areas can play a
significant role in addressing the challenges facing decision and
policy makers planning for and managing cities. Young people from
around the world participating in the World Urban Youth Assembly on 19 and 20 March will have an opportunity to deliberate and make recommendations to better inform the urban agenda.

UN-HABITAT
invites youth from around the globe to participate in the World Urban
Youth Assembly International Essay Competition to generate ideas and
solutions to address youth challenges in cities.

More info please visit: http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=531&cid=7844