CARDIMED participated in the prestigious United Nations’ World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12), held from November 4–8, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt. This premier global platform addresses sustainable urbanization challenges and fosters impactful policy discussions.
As part of its engagement, CARDIMED supported the participation of Dr. Natasa Christou, co-founder of Gardens of the Future and a key Cypriot partner in CARDIMED. Dr. Christou was an invited speaker for the Voices from The Good Enough Transformation panel, where she shared insights on integrating grassroots culture, traditional knowledge systems, and small creative economies into sustainable urbanization strategies. Her participation highlighted the significance of community-driven innovation and locally accessible urban solutions in fostering climate resilience and sustainability.
At WUF12, Gardens of the Future and CARDIMED championed key themes, including:
- The inclusion of art and culture in government-mandated climate and urban policies.
- Greater global collaboration and attitudinal shifts rooted in culture and trust.
- The intergenerational transfer of skills and knowledge through grassroots and non-formal learning environments.
- Showcasing and uniting impactful small-scale initiatives to create a broader, global impact.
Dr. Christou’s keynote address underscored the vital role of community-based approaches in advancing the global urban Green Transition. “Our invitation to participate stems from our dedication to connecting communities of practice worldwide and fostering local actions for a sustainable future,” she stated.
This engagement was made possible through the Good Enough Transformation Project, a global cultural alliance in which Gardens of the Future plays a pivotal role. CARDIMED proudly supports this collaboration, reinforcing its commitment to fostering sustainable urban development across the region.
For those interested in following the discussions and insights shared at WUF12, online sessions can be accessed via registration at: https://wuf.unhabitat.org/event/wuf12/voices-good-enough-transformation. Attendees can also download the World Urban Forum app for live-streaming access.
