City For All Conference

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

On 19th - 20th October, World Vision was at the 3rd City for All conference 2017, organized by People in Need Cambodia held in Phnom Penh. This is an annual platform where stakeholders can discuss and exchange ideas about sustainable urban development, projects and innovations in the country and region.

This year’s conference was held a year after the adoption of the New Urban Agenda at the Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016. The New Urban Agenda offers renewed impetus in a rapidly urbanizing world to ensure cities develop in the most sustainable ways possible. In Cambodia, the conference reflects the collective need for all citizens to help create a “city for all”. 

Building resilient cities, making cities work for all, supporting pro-poor urban sanitation and reinventing and shaping Phnom Penh are themes that were shared and discussed during the conference.

At the same time, Ms Giovana Beltrao, Asia-Pacific Urban Programming Advisor at World Vision, highlighted the importance of building cities where children can thrive and grow.

Acknowledging the value in addressing urbanisation challenges while maximizing its opportunities, World Vision recognises the importance of effective urban planning and good governance in promoting cities that are inclusive and equitable for all. 

World Vision brings together the context of a multi-layered ecosystem that is a city, to champion an environment for children that is safe, healthy, resilient and prosperous.

In Cambodia, millions of children and youth live within fragile pockets of cities, away from basic amenities and social services, and also vulnerable to human rights violations associated with these conditions. This has an adverse effect on health, education, as well as socio-economic and environmental development.

The Urban Vision Initiative (UVI) program has been implemented by World Vision in the city of Phnom Penh since 2006 at 12 districts, enabling poor communities in the vicinity to have economic development opportunities, youth and children receive quality education, and a clean environment with adequate housing and happiness.

Utilising the Cities for Children Framework (CFC), World Vision brings together the context of a multi-layered ecosystem that is a city, to champion an environment for children that is safe, healthy, resilient and prosperous.  

World Vision also encourages strong partnerships with governments, communities, children and youth, in order to ensure a comprehensive approach. The CFC supports urban programming globally, and localises global strategies through grass-roots transformation, ultimately contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

This story is written by Ratha Ung, a communicator with World Vision.