Video summary
The 13th World Urban Forum served as a transformative gathering for young activists from diverse nations, including Uganda, India, Nigeria, Kenya, Benin, and others, who came together to share their experiences in urban development and media advocacy. Participants highlighted the significance of this event not only as an opportunity to learn about housing challenges faced by vulnerable populations living in slum communities but also as a platform to discuss climate action and urban sustainability. The forum allowed these young leaders to connect with peers from different contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of both their unique local struggles and the shared global issues they face together regarding land rights, settlement transformation, and community resilience.
A central theme throughout the discussions was the power of community-led data in driving meaningful change within urban settlements. Activists emphasized how collecting accurate and reliable data at the grassroots level empowers communities to advocate for themselves and influence policy decisions that affect their daily lives. Speakers expressed excitement about utilizing this approach to address housing insecurity and improve living conditions, noting that such initiatives are particularly vital for marginalized groups who often lack a voice in traditional planning processes. The exchange of ideas on media production further reinforced the belief that storytelling can be a potent tool for raising awareness and mobilizing support for social justice causes around the world.
Beyond technical exchanges, the forum was deeply characterized by its emphasis on youth leadership, collaboration, and mutual inspiration among participants from various countries. Attendees described feeling energized by the collective spirit of the group, with many expressing gratitude toward organizations like IIED for creating a space where young voices could be heard and valued. The experience reoriented their focus toward urban equity development specifically tailored to enhance safety, freedom, and opportunities for youth globally. Participants left the event carrying renewed determination to continue working collectively across borders, believing that there is much more knowledge and innovation to share as they return home to implement sustainable solutions in their own communities.
In conclusion, the gathering underscored the critical role of young activists in shaping a more equitable urban future through solidarity, shared learning, and innovative practices like community-led data collection. The interactions facilitated at this forum have strengthened networks among youth leaders from Africa, Asia, and beyond, creating a foundation for ongoing cooperation despite geographical distances. As these participants return to their respective regions, they carry with them not only new insights but also a commitment to continue engaging in similar dialogues that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable while leveraging technology and media to amplify community voices on the global stage.
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Hello everyone. This is Joan Zimo. I
come from uh Uganda working with Act
Together Uganda [music] as well as the
Know Your City TV team. Uh my experience
with the World Urban Forum uh [music]
the 13th session it has been a great
one. We have gotten a chance to share as
the young [music] people. We have met
our colleagues from India, uh Nigeria,
Kenya, Benin and it has been a nice time
uh interacting with one another [music]
how they they are working the in their
media teams to see how they produce
media that makes change. They have
shared experiences in regards to the
housing aspect. Uh still I've had a
chance to uh sit on a panel at the in
arena, UN arena. Uh we have shared on
how we can transform our settlements in
regards to data practices and I've seen
a a lot that has been shared. I've seen
a lot of stakeholders, uh actors in the
land and housing aspect. And uh
they they were happy and excited about
uh the
aspect of community laid data, how we
can work collectively to see that
community laid data is reliable,
accurate as well as being used in the
different [music] aspects. To the IIED
team, on behalf of Act Together Uganda,
Slum [music] Dwellers International, we
are glad that you have engaged the young
people. We are glad that you have
engaged Uganda specifically and other
countries that are around here because
if it was not to what we would not have
had the chance to come to the World
Urban Forum. And I pray this is not the
last time you engaging us. Let you uh
engage us in many more times because I
believe we have a lot to share. I
believe we have a lot to share with one
another as well as the different
countries that are here.
I pray that God blesses you more and
more and [music] more.
>> So, I've been here since past four days
and [music] I'm very happy to be here.
As it is a very learnful opportunity for
me and there are many
co-fellows and peers of mine whom I have
got to learn uh so much about housing,
urban sustainability, and climate action
[music] and many more. And I would
really like to thank IID for this
opportunity. Thank you.
>> So, what do you talk [music] about
housing the world? I think the most
vulnerable people are those living in
slum communities. So, being here to let
everyone know what we're suffering from
and also let people know what we're
>> [music]
>> we have been developing as solution to
to address our challenges is something
very
powerful and I'm happy to be here
learning from different person, also
sharing experiences, and then
try to also connect to different kind of
person.
>> Hi everyone. I am Aishwarya. I am a
facilitator and I'm from Bhuj, which is
a small [music] city in India. And I
think my experience of WUF has been
really interesting because we've come
together with a lot of young people and
we're meeting groups from different
contexts who are at like different
journeys in their in the trajectory
[music] of their groups. And what has
been really meaningful is to understand
each other's cities, contexts, and the
various challenges that
and the similarities that we all are
kind of [music] facing together. So, I
think
we're all taking back the power of media
and storytelling and the importance of
being together in a space like this.
>> I am so proud to be in the World Urban
Forum special that I've seen. I've met a
lot of people. I've met a lot of
organizations, a lot of so many
initiatives that are doing amazing
[music] work especially in the community
and
what I shared in this forum is about
community led data, how it is helpful in
our communities and how we are
how we are using the data to change our
communities.
>> To my experience of work,
it was wonderful. It's almost like I'm
taking their energy back with me,
reorienting
towards the [music] purpose of urban
equity development for young people and
young people safety [music] and freedom.
So it's been just wonderful being with a
community. So it's it's not just the
community of urban practitioners but the
youth [music] leaders of tomorrow that
has made all the difference.
>> Mhm.