distribute as appropriate The World Urban Forum Invites Your Participation in a Global Internet Dialogue on Urban Sustainability: Habitat JAM December 1 - 3, 2005 What does the executive director of UN-Habitat Anna Tibaijuka; filmmaker Deepa Metha; director of the world's largest conservation group Achim Steiner; award-winning Naga City, Philippines Mayor Jesse Robredo; president of African Development Bank Donald Kaberuka; world- renowned sustainability architect and architect William McDonough; head of India's National Federation of Slum Dwellers Jockin Arpurtham; president of the Canadian International Development Agency Robert Greenhill and twelve thousand other people from around the world have in common? They have committed to participate in an unprecedented online conversation on solutions for making our cities and the lives of the urban poor more sustainable. In the next 50 years, two thirds of the world's population will live in urban areas. UN-Habitat is the United Nations Agency responsible for human settlements that promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with adequate housing for all. The Government of Canada, with UN-Habitat and IBM is hosting Habitat JAM on December 1 to 3, 2005. The World Urban Forum (WUF) is convened by UN-HABITAT every two years. The next WUF will be hosted in Vancouver in June 2006 and is expected to bring together six thousand people to debate ideas and issues about sustainable urban development. What is a JAM? A global 72-hour internet event, the Habitat JAM is part of the preparations for World Urban Forum in Vancouver. During the JAM, people from all walks of life will contribute their ideas and expertise via an online discussion, pioneering a new form of global problem-solving on urgent and controversial issues facing a rapidly urbanizing planet. Habitat JAM will gather input and create actionable ideas for the Vancouver World Urban Forum's agenda. Key topics include improving the lives of urban slum dwellers, finance and governance in cities, sustainable access to water, environmental sustainability, safety, security and humanity, the future of our cities. This is no simple chat room! Designed by IBM, JAM technology offers a radically new form of democratic and pragmatic engagement, and on that promises to empower people to take charge of the decisions and forces that affect their lives. The JAM is a new form of global problem-solving to create a vision, build consensus and turn goals into reality in a world without boundaries. Spread the word - be a catalyst for change - talk to the world! Share your expertise, your experience, your ideas and help bring to light promising ideas and solutions. An unusual and creative engagement process, the JAM is positioned to generate unique insights that have the potential to transform society towards sustainability. Join us. It's free. Register now at http:// www.habitatjam.com. jeremy hunsinger jhuns@vt.edu www.cddc.vt.edu jeremy.tmttlt.com www.tmttlt.com () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.aoir.org The Associatiion of Internet Researchers