The bi-annual World Urban Forum is a major UN event and opportunity to call attention to the phenomenon of urbanization and the challenges humanity faces in creating sustainable cities, where citizens can enjoy secure, prosperous lives.

The Third World Urban Forum (WUF III) will be held in Vancouver, Canada from 19 – 23 June 2006 (for details on the event, see http://www.wuf3-fum3.ca/). LEAD will be at WUF III with a delegation of more than 20 LEAD Fellows and staff, with representation from Brazil, Canada, China, India, Mexico and likely other LEAD member programs. Financial support to make this possible is being provided, in part, from the Government of Canada.

Specifically, LEAD will engage in WUF3 around at least two of six sub-themes of the Forum, concerning energy and urban planning and management. As part of this engagement, we will deliver a formal Networking Event (accepted by UN Habitat, the lead UN agency on cities) titled Sustainable Energy Systems for Large Cities: Emerging Best Practices in Developed and Developing Countries. And throughout the Forum, we will be advocating for collaborative leadership and cross-sectoral partnerships to help address the urban challenges of today and tomorrow.

For more information, please contact:

Trevor Rees, Senior Programme Manager, LEAD International (trevor@lead.org)

Rob Rainer, President, LEAD Canada Inc. ( robrainer@sympatico.ca)