a chance for global dialogue

Tue Nov 15 20:51:34 PST 2005

Unprecedented Global Event:
Tens of Thousands of World Citizens Unite Online
to Debate Urban Sustainability Issues

Habitat JAM    <http://www.habitatjam.com/> www.habitatjam.com
Thursday, December 1 - Saturday, December 3, 2005

Open to everyone interested in creating a better world.

Come for an hour or stay online for three days

 ---- Register NOW at  <http://www.habitatjam.com/> www.habitatjam.com

London, UK (PRWEB) November 5, 2005 -- Habitat JAM, an unprecedented online
global dialogue on urban sustainability, will be held for 72 hours from 1-3
December, 2005.

Sponsored by the Government of Canada, in partnership with UN-HABITAT and
IBM, the Habitat JAM promises to engage, empower and stimulate tens of
thousands of global citizens, rich and less fortunate alike, with the
ultimate goal of turning ideas into action on critical issues related to
urban sustainability.

Under the leadership of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and
Housing, the Government of Canada is taking a highly innovative approach by
investing in global sustainability and funding Habitat JAM. "Canada is
pleased to partner with UN-HABITAT and IBM to introduce this experimental
form of problem solving -- a dialogue that cuts across the borders and silos
of politics, culture, economics, social class and expertise, to extract
concrete solutions to the urgent and controversial issues facing our rapidly
urbanizing planet. The Government of Canada is proud to host this event
because Canada recognizes the enormous impact of urbanization on the
sustainability of the planet."

The Habitat JAM is a preparatory event to the third session of the World
Urban Forum being held in Vancouver in June 2006. The World Urban Forum is
an initiative of the United Nations Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) held
every two years to debate ideas and issues about sustainable development in
today's context of rapid urbanization.
Topics for discussion will include:

*         improving the lives of people living in slums,

*         access to water,

*         environmental sustainability,

*         safety and security,

*         finance and governance,

*         and the future of our cities.

"We live in an increasingly urban world which is unfortunately divided
between the North and the South. What is worse is that in most cities,
wherever they are, people are forced to live in divided cities. Cities in
developing countries are suffering from problems associated with rapid
urbanization, which has led to over one billion people living in slums
without adequate shelter and basic services. In developed countries,
citizens suffer from the effects of ill-planned cities and environmental
degradation. At the heart of this crisis is a failure to consult and to
allow the full participation of ordinary people in the development of the
city. It is my hope that innovative technologies associated with Habitat JAM
will help bring people closer together to plan and develop truly human
settlements," adds Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, UN-HABITAT.

The Habitat JAM will bring together academics and students, planners and
builders, politicians, governments, the private sector and ordinary citizens
from across the globe in real time, all contributing ideas and expertise
during the 72-hour global problem-solving session. Moderators will include
government leaders, renowned experts, and key thinkers.

To ensure the most inclusive event possible, grass root organizations,
institutions, women, youth groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
are helping to bring people to the technology who might otherwise not have
access or opportunity to share their experiences and ideas with others
around the world.

To name just a few examples, the Habitat JAM is teaming with the:

---- World Bank Institute to offer access to many of their satellite-based
Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) to enable people living in
regions with inadequate or no Internet access to participate in the Habitat
JAM.

---- Huairou Commission and GROOTS Canada to bring the voice of non-English
speaking women into the Habitat JAM.

---- World Urban Forum and Youth Organizing Committee (WUFY) who will hold
over a dozen World Urban Cafe JAM Sessions to engage communities in slums
and impoverished human settlements in Asia, Africa, India and Latin America.

In hosting and providing the technology for the JAM, IBM is enabling this
innovative democratic process where, without hierarchy, people from all
walks of life have the opportunity to come together to present and evaluate
ideas on how to solve a focused set of issues or problems. "IBM has used
JAMs internally to involve employees in over 75 countries to collaborate in
real time on the company's values and then to develop pragmatic solutions
and best practices around growth and innovation," said Irving
Wladawsky-Berger, Vice President of Technical Strategy and Innovation, IBM.
"JAMs enable a kind of mass collaboration and problem-solving that has
simply never before been possible on a global scale. This is innovation that
matters for the world."

For additional information on Habitat JAM and to register for the event,
visit  <http://www.habitatjam.com> www.habitatjam.com. 

 Christine

Christine Whitney Sanchez
KAIROS Alliance Inc.
2717 E. Mountain Sky Avenue
Phoenix, AZ  85048
480.759.0262
www.kairosalliance.com <http://www.kairosalliance.com/> 

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