AUICK First 2004 Workshop

THEME

UNFPA Goals and Urban Policies

BACKGROUND

Development actors now realise that urbanisation is a process that will shape and characterise the world, particularly during this century, in a way never before seen in our history. Over the last five decades the world has witnessed the increasingly large movement of people away from rural areas toward urban centres, and nowhere has this been more noticeable than the Asian region. It is now projected that by 2015.53% of the world’s population will live in cities, and most of this number will be found in Asian cities. The international community is beginning to identify and confront the problems associated with this rapid urbanisation; however in many cities, particularly those in developing countries, the influx of people is outstripping the ability of urban centres to adapt, and this has led to much poverty, the spreading of slum areas, incapacity of cities to supply water and sanitation, and many other concerning issues.

Much of the international attention and efforts in this regard have been devoted to assisting large and mega-cities to cope with rapid urbanisation. Very little attention has been devoted to assisting medium-sized cities, despite these cities playing a critical role in bridging the gaps between rural areas and mega-cities. Perhaps more importantly, small and medium-sized cities are the fastest growing, and the United Nations has acknowledged that they will have crucial roles to play in the future. Thus the need for a development strategy and assistance for these cities in integrated urban planning has never been more apparent. AUICK has, for 15 years, been working to fill this void by assisting in the development of these medium-sized cities of Asia.

AUICK has largely directed efforts toward capacity building of Asian urban senior administrative officials from throughout the region on such topics as population and population ageing, reproductive health, environment, sustainable water resource management, public utilities, and solid waste management. This is a platform that AUICK will continue in the future; though from this year AUICK will narrow the scope of its project to just nine cities of Asia (AACs), and will work with them to overcome their urban problems and to try to realise the United Nation痴 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

AUICK's new strategy, which it will embark on as part of a four year project from 2004 to 2007, will pivot upon promoting south-south cooperation and city-university partnerships to achieve the above-mentioned goals.

As a lead-up to the project launch, the first AUICK training course for this year was held from the 14th to the 19th of June, and the participants were senior administrators from the nine AACs. Many of the participants had worked closely with AUICK in the past, and will continue to work with AUICK on its new project in the capacity of Liaison Officers, who will strive to foster stronger ties between each AAC and AUICK.

AIM

The focus of the workshop was to introduce the participants to the new AUICK project, the goals and expectations of this project, the roles of key players, as well as outlining how this project corresponds to, and complements, the work of UNFPA in achieving the MDGs.

PARTICIPANTS

The workshop was designed for the Liaison Officers appointed by AAC Mayors, who will communicate with AUICK on regular basis to ensure strong ties between AUICK and AACs.

(Participants listed alphabetically according to country)

Mr. A.K.M. Rezaul Karim
City Planner, Department of Architecture and City Planning, Chittagong City Corporation, Bangladesh

Mr. Liu Qing Sheng
Vice Director, Family Planning Commission of Weihai, China

Mr. Sun Cheng-Gong
Chief, Foreign Affairs Office, Weihai Municipal Government, China (Mr. Liu Qing Sheng's interpreter)

Mr. Murugesan Panneerselvam
Chief Engineer (Bridges & Buildings), Corporation of Chennai, India

Dr. Muhlas Udin
Assistant Secretary, Development Administration, City Government of Surabaya, Indonesia

Mr. Alias Mohd. Salleh
Director, Planning and Development, Kuantan Municipal Council, Malaysia

Dr. Rai Qamar-Uz Zaman
Deputy Director, Solid Waste Management, Tehsil Municipal Administration Faisalabad, Pakistan

Ms. Elizabeth Simpao Zavalla
City Planning and Development Coordinator, Olongapo City, Philippines

Mr. Chawalit Hongyon
Chief, Garbage and Waste Disposal Section, Sanitary Work Division, Khon Kaen Municipality, Thailand

Ms. Anh Thuy Nguyen
Head, Protocol and International Relation Division, Foreign Affairs Department, Danang People's Committee, Vietnam

NOTE: This is a list of participants at the workshop, and not a finalized list of Liaison Officers.

PERIOD

From Sunday 13 June to Saturday June 2004

SCHEDULE/PROGRAM

REVIEW

The 2004 workshop on UNFPA Goals and Urban Policies was a successful lead-in to the new AUICK Associate Cities Networking project, with senior administrators of the nine AACs now conversant with the project aims, the background to the project, and the role of Liaison Officers in achieving the project goals. Through the forum of discussion and information sharing among these participants, AUICK has also initiated a more participatory approach to future trainings which will more adequately address the specific need of these nine cities.

The 2004 workshop on UNFPA Goals and Urban Policies was a successful lead-in to the new AUICK Associate Cities Networking project, with senior administrators of the nine AACs now conversant with the project aims, the background to the project, and the role of Liaison Officers in achieving the project goals. Through the forum of discussion and information sharing among these participants, AUICK has also initiated a more participatory approach to future trainings which will more adequately address the specific need of these nine cities.