World Urban Forum for Children 2024: Empowering Youth to Shape Sustainable Cities

October 26–27, 2024 | American University in Cairo

Overview

The inaugural World Urban Forum for Children (WUF) 2024, organized by Children Urban Hub in collaboration with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), the American University in Cairo (AUC), and the Urban Children’s Forum, marked a transformative moment in redefining cities through the lens of youth innovation. Held from October 26–27, 2024, at AUC’s state-of-the-art campus, the forum brought together 320 children aged 9–16 from across Egypt, representing diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. These young visionaries were selected from over 1,000 submissions of posters, models, and digital concepts proposing sustainable urban solutions—ranging from green energy integration to inclusive public spaces. The event’s blended education, creativity, and technical skill-building, with workshops and activities designed to translate abstract ideas into tangible prototypes. By prioritizing themes like climate resilience, accessibility, and community-driven design, the forum highlighted the untapped potential of children as catalysts for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its interdisciplinary approach bridged urban planning, environmental science, and social equity, creating a blueprint for child-centric cities that balance innovation with empathy.

Opening

The forum opened with a focus on the importance of involving children in urban development. Emphasizing collaboration between young participants, educators, urban planners, and policymakers, the opening remarks highlighted the event’s goal to ensure children’s voices shape the future of cities

Presentations and Workshops

Children participated in hands-on workshops and interactive presentations centered on urban planning, sustainability, and community engagement. Activities included designing eco-friendly spaces using recycled materials like tires, wood, and agricultural waste, as well as brainstorming solutions for inclusive transportation and accessible urban environments. Participants created posters to visualize their ideas for sustainable cities, covering topics such as green architecture and strategies to enhance inclusivity. Mentors guided collaborative sessions, helping refine concepts, while children presented their proposals to urban experts and policymakers, fostering dialogue and critical thinking.

Closing

The inaugural World Urban Forum for Children (WUF) 2024 concluded by reaffirming its role as a vital platform for fostering cross-sector collaboration to advance sustainable urban development. Community partners, governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders were honored for their pivotal contributions, underscoring the power of collective action in addressing urban challenges. The session emphasized the critical importance of knowledge exchange, where shared expertise and innovative practices among participants laid the groundwork for scalable solutions to issues like inclusivity and climate resilience. Central to the dialogue was the recognition of children as active, indispensable stakeholders in urban development, with their unique perspectives deemed essential for designing equitable, future-ready cities. The forum closed with a unified commitment to integrate children’s voices into policymaking and urban design, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create cities where every child thrives.

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