Weekly Urban News Update
April 29, 2016
In this Update 
 
Feeding the World's Growing Cities
Can Economic Growth Include Women in the Global South
7th World Bank Global Housing Finance Conference 
In the News and Around the Web

IHC is very excited to be debuting a new brand and website in the coming weeks. The final touches are currently being worked on, and we hope you will enjoy our new and more interactive web presence once it is live. We will let you know! There will be no interruption in delivering up to date and topical information through this Weekly Update. Thank you for your continued readership! We welcome suggestions and comments!
A1
Feeding the World's Growing Cities

As part of their Global Food Security Symposium this week, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs released a paper focusing on food security issues affecting urban residents around the world. 

The paper recognizes that the world is rapidly urbanizing, and population growth, climate change, and changing diets and cultures, all present challenges to providing steady, sustainable and nutritious food. 

However greater demand for higher value foods in urban areas as well as the density of the new markets presents an opportunity for small rural farmers to benefit substantially. The paper argues that this will only happen if supply chains are effectively supported and lengthened, and investments for the future are made now. 

The paper also provides concrete recommendations on what the global development community can do to help advocate on this issue.  IHC Global is very pleased to see this focus by the Chicago Council on the emerging and important global issue of urban food security as well as the associated challenges and opportunities. Read the full report here. 
A5
Can Economic Growth Include Women in the Global South?

Economic growth can greatly enhance the quality of life in a given area, and when approached effectively can also foster  women's economic empowerment specifically. However, this is not always the case, with social and political barriers making it more difficult for women to enjoy the benefits of broader economic growth. Economic structures supporting growth can also also have unintended consequences for women such as 
increased risk of violence in urban public spaces. 

Please join IHC member the Urban Institute and other partners to discuss the factors affecting women's empowerment in the global South. 

WHEN:  Friday, May 6th   10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
WHERE: Urban Institute
2100 M Street NW , Washington D.C. 

The event will also be streamed live. RSVP and view the live stream here. 
A3
7th World Bank Global Housing Finance Conference

The World Bank Group will hold its 7th Global Housing Finance Conference on May 25th and 26th, cosponsored by the International Finance Corporation.  The conference will address the new Sustainable Development Go als (SDGs), and will explore new and innovative ideas on how to ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. 

The two-day event will tackle this difficult challenge from multiple angles. Topics include: 
  • Practical next steps to achieve the SDG targets on affordable housing;
  • Housing for displaced populations and other vulnerable groups; 
  • The role of the private sector in meeting affordable housing needs; and 
  • Specific affordable housing challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Find more information about the Conference and register here. 

A2
UNHCR Webinar: Protecting Urban Refugee Children

More than half of the world's approximately 16 million refugees now live in urban areas, with that number only expected to increase. Many of these urban refugees are children. 

Several policy and strategy documents of the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) establish a framework for protection of children and adolescents in urban situations, but they don't address some of key strategic and operational questions, such as specific risks to protection and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas, gaps in programming, and mitigation strategies in an urban context. 

Join the UNHCR  Child Protection Unit for a  webinar that will present findings on urban child protection risk and resilience, explain the five key investments to protect children in urban settings and share the experience and good practices from Jakarta, Indonesia.

WHEN: Tuesday May 3rd, 8:30am (GMT +2:00)

No need to RSVP. Find more information and join here. 
AL
In the News and Around the Web
  • Read about the upcoming Climate Action Summit in Washington D.C. here. 
  • Read a World Bank blog post on the role of cities in addressing climate change here. 
  • Read a Guardian article on effect that social programs such as cycling lessons has had on integrating migrant communities in Holland here. 
  • Read about new Research from the Urban Institute on the importance of reliable and accurate data for city-level development here. 

IHC Global - A Coalition for 
Inclusive Housing and Sustainable Cities
1424 K St NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20005 
phone: (202) 239-4401
email: info@intlhc.org