Event: African Creative Economy Conference 2013
6–9 October 2013 
Cape Town, South Africa
The African Creative Economy Conference (6–9 October 2013) is an unique opportunity to empower yourself in a three-day intensive programme of exchanging cutting-edge information and innovative ideas. It will focus on unlocking the potential of the continent’s creative industries (Africa’s share of the global creative economy is currently less than 1%) and leapfrogging into emerging high-growth sectors of the world economy. Learn more.
Event: Momentum for Change: Urban Poor
28 June 2013 Online Application
Although urban centres are often ill-prepared to meet the basic needs of rapidly expanding populations, the urban poor are incredibly resourceful populations, with their own networks and the proven capacity to save and invest in the betterment of their communities. Climate change creates a stimulus for adaptation and mitigation action to improve and transform some of the most vulnerable urban communities today.
The Momentum for Change Advisory Panel will select a small number of lighthouse activities to be recognized during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, Poland from 11–22 November 2013. Learn more.
Event: Momentum for Change: Financing for Climate-Friendly Investment
May 31, 2013 Online Application
Developing countries are forecast to represent over 60% of global GDP by 2030. However, given growing environmental and resource challenges such as climate change and water security, the imperative for shifting development onto a resource-efficient growth pathway is increasingly clear. Governments can use strategically targeted public monies and policies to address the risks faced by private investors, resulting in a significant increase in private capital flows for climate-friendly development.
The Momentum for Change Advisory Panel will select a small number of lighthouse activities to be recognized during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, Poland from 11–22 November 2013. The period for submitting applications will be open from 12 April to 31 May 2013. Learn more.
Opportunity: Consultant: Measuring Inclusive Business Results, Business Call to Action
Launched in 2008, the Business Call to Action (BCtA) is a global membership platform that encourages private sector companies to develop innovative business models that combine profitability with development impact, in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Measuring Inclusive Business Results Consultant will work under the supervision of the Knowledge Management, Capacity and Results Reporting Programme Specialist and in consultation with the Acting Programme Manager of the Business Call to Action Initiative.
Click here to learn more about the position and to apply.
Event: Upgrading Informal Settlements
Fall 2013 e-Course
The overall objectives of this course are to:
• Understand the challenges and opportunities of existing and future informal settlements, and how upgrading can be an effective policy to address informality in different contexts.
• Analyze the key operational design aspects of an upgrading intervention, including how to: plan and finance an upgrading project; improve infrastructure and shelter in informal settlements; regularize land; address the social dimensions of upgrading; and sustain improvements, while learning from real cases and the experiences of practitioners.
• Apply the knowledge and skills gained into the design of their own upgrading projects. Learn more.
Event: Caring Cities
16–19 July 2013 Johannesburg, South Africa
World Mayors, who care about their cities and its people, will gather in Johannesburg, from 16-19 July 2013 to participate in the Metropolis Annual Meeting “Caring Cities” and Board of Directors.
Caring Cities are cities that strive to offer a high quality of life, showing a sense of humanity and exchange, providing comfort and dignity for all citizens and deliver solutions that meet the needs of their citizens. The Mandela Day celebration, which coincides with the event, will translate this concept into individual and community actions. Learn more.
Event: 2nd Annual Plasticity Forum
6 June 2013 Hong Kong
Serving up sustainable, innovative solutions related to the use of plastic, Plasticity 2013 showcases market opportunities for transforming plastic waste into a valuable resource.
Bringing together leading practitioners from plastic supply chains, procurement, and post-consumer waste management in a one-day conference, Plasticity 2013 delivers an innovation-packed agenda. Don’t miss your chance to join over 200 innovators, sustainable brand leaders, educators, think tanks, government agencies and NGOs at this unique event. Learn more.
Event: Meeting of the Minds
9–11 September 2013 Toronto, Ontario
We’ll explore a rich variety of strategic investments, smart policies and breakthrough technological innovations — all designed to enable cities and regions to better respond to increasingly complex urban planning, design, technology and development challenges.
Our speakers and invited delegates are thought leaders working at the cutting edge of urban systems: economic and environmental sustainability, social inclusion, clean energy and water strategies, advanced technology, and transformational design, planning and policies. Learn more.
URB.im Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo Community Managers
URB.im, the global community working for just and inclusive cities, propagates innovation and connects all members of the ecosystem working on urban poverty alleviation. A project of Dallant Networks and the Ford Foundation, this new online platform establishes an international community of practice and learning, sharing ideas and experiences in order to innovate, replicate, and scale working solutions to the problem of urban poverty. It is currently focused on sixteen cities: Mumbai, Bangalore, Jakarta, Dhaka, Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Bogotá, Cali, Curitiba, Accra, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
We are looking for a Community Manager for the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The Community Manager for the Brazil node of the URB.im network will:
• Produce and aggregate news, events, projects and other developments of interest to members of the community of practitioners and program leaders working in urban poverty alleviation in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
• Recruit bloggers and other volunteer contributors for the urb.im/rio-de-janeiro and urb.im/sao-paulo platforms and coordinate all content traffic
• Initiate and moderate online discussions happening on the URB.im platform
• Be an active participant in the overall URB.im network and interact on a regular basis with other Content Coordinators in the network
This position is ideal for urban-planning students and graduates, journalists and social activists working in urban poverty alleviation. To apply, please email your detailed information, explaining your interest, qualifications, and why you think you would be successful in this position.
Event: Living in low-income urban settlements in an era of climate change: processes, practices, policies and politics
9–10 September 2013 Manchester, United Kingdom
Workshops Objectives:
- To deepen the understanding of the broader processes that shape and mediate the responses to climate change of poor urban households and communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America; and
- To contribute to the evolution of more effective pro-poor climate change policies by local governments, national governments and international organisations.
Key empirical questions:
- What adaptations are households and communities in low-income settlements undertaking – in terms of (a) built-environment changes; (b) livelihood diversifications; or (c) social mobilisation and political change?
- How do innovative adaptation practices emerge and flourish? How do they vary within and across countries? What are the potential enablers and barriers?
- What are the emerging forms of urban governance – their ideology, design, strengths/weaknesses, and transferability?
Learn more.