Tomorrow today; 2010 - unesdoc - Unesco

ANNA TIBAIJUKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UN-HABITATHalf of humanity now lives in cities and around one billion urban residents live in slums. The urbanization ofpoverty is therefore one of the most daunting challenges of the 21st century. Cities offer many opportunities,but urban growth in many developing countries is largely chaotic, non-inclusive and inefficient. Reversalof this trend requires institutions capable of supporting sound governance and regulatory regimes, and ofdelivering effective public infrastructure and social services.If cities are to come to terms with rapid levels of urbanization, they require leaders, managers and staffcapable of adopting innovative and robust approaches to planning, developing, managing and financing citiesfor the benefit of all citizens.Aware of the key role of education in promoting socially and environmentally sustainable cities, as wellas its contribution to the realization of the Habitat Agenda goal of adequate shelter for all, UN-HABITAT isworking towards improving the quality and range of appropriate educational opportunities on urban issues.This includes development of partnerships with universities, promotion of the values and principles ofsustainability in key areas such as water and sanitation as well as climate change, active participation in theinter-agency committee for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) andits activities, and the raising of public awareness.UN-HABITAT fully supports Tomorrow Today, prepared within the framework and initiative of the DESD.This work bears testimony to the whole of the UN family’s quest for a better world. The publication will beuseful to UN-HABITAT as a communication tool in our engagement with partners promote education forbetter and sustainable cities.Anna TibaijukaExecutive Director, UN-HABITAT[ 14 ]