Tuesday Plenary Session

Social Inclusion and Cohesion

Marginalisation, social exclusion and urban poverty are becoming key challenges facing cities in the urban millennium. Unprecedented urbanization and inadequate urban policies (including insecurity of tenure) are the main causes of the formation of slums. Pro-poor, gender sensitive urban policies and enabling legislation at the national and international levels are necessary to help overcome this challenge, while good urban governance and consistent leadership are required to implement effective strategies at the local level.

Moderator:

• Margaret Catley-Carlson, Chair, Global Water Partnership, Canada

Speakers:

• Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Government of the United States of America

• Jockin Arputham, National Slum Dwellers Federation of India

• Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Housing, Government of South Africa