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#MyCityMyVoice

Share what wellbeing looks like in cities for you.

We were excited to launch the #MyCityMyVoice campaign for young people to add their voice on wellbeing in cities and mark the 11th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF 11) in June 2022. Through #MyCityMyVoice, we aim to create a global community of young people build better cities for youth. Read the ideas and questions submitted by young people below!

Choose how you want to add your voice.

Submit your idea
If you are an individual or group aged 10-30, we want you to share an idea that expresses your vision for a city where your wellbeing is met. By sharing an idea, you will be in with the chance of winning a year's subscription to Calm, an app for sleep and meditation which aims to improve health and happiness.
Submit your idea now
Ask your question
What would you like to ask a mayor or decision maker about wellbeing in cities? We invite you to ask a question about wellbeing in cities, with the most popular answered across the week by guests –– including experts from around the world –– visiting in the booth.
Submit your question now

By 2050, more than two thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas – but these cities are not currently equipped for wellbeing. From education, to healthcare, to employment, our city systems are currently failing young people, damaging their health and wellbeing, and leaving them at risk of being left behind.

Young people are critical to building healthier, prosperous and more sustainable cities. At Fondation Botnar, we believe that when given the tools, young people will play a crucial role in shaping our collective future, tackling new challenges, and harnessing opportunities. During WUF11, we are inviting young people – both in person at the conference, as well as those joining or following the event virtually, to have the opportunity to have their voices heard and dialogue with global experts and political leaders in urbanisation and city planning.

The #MyCityMyVoice campaign will launch on 23rd June and is open for submissions until the 30th June.

#MyCityMyVoice Ideas Wall

Idea
Cities destroy fertile soils that provide feed to us, reduce the available water catchment areas & increase the demand of energy. Meaning, we need to answer questions of where cities are to be located or not & what can be sustained. Low carbon architecture is very important sector that needs to be given quality time to achieve a better, just & more sustainable future for the planet, we must switch to renewable energy. Our leaders: it's time to act because our future depends on it. #C...

Leah Namugerwa,17 yearsUganda
Question
We know that road crashes are one of the five leading causes of death among youth. How can we do more to guarantee kids a safe journey to school?
read the response here
Shanna Lucchesi,35 yearsPortugal
Answer
Idea
I long for a city that works for all during the day, as well as, at night! #NighttimeGovernance

Amir Alexander Salem,0 yearsUK
Idea
Education for every girl child and equal rights for all genders! #Protect_the_girl_child

Theodora,24 yearsZambia
Idea
Citizen inclusion to develop city! Our voice need to be heard

Fanny,26 yearsPoland
Idea
Wellbeing to me means to be sober and make decisions that benefits me and my community creating safer environment for my fellow youths especially girl child to transform education among youths about their rights and wellbeing

Elilu Lawrence,28 yearsUganda
Idea
The digital transformation should be inclusive and most importantly break the digital divide. Digital sociology is the way

Ibrahim Msuya,29 yearsTanzania
Idea
– Equity in public spaces – Multifunctional fields for play (not just soccer!) – Geocode sexual harassment for planning a better and more equitable space for young people

Michel Zuluaga,26 yearsColombia
Idea
Availability of community centers as part of city planning, urban development is key as this centers can be a space where mental health & wellbeing support is provided. It also destigmatizes receiving mental health support and makes it accessible. The center can also cater to skill development, knowledge sharing about health services and awareness on health and wellbeing to urban communities

Hafsah Muheed,27 yearsSri Lanka
Question
What tools and processes can we use to ensure that all youth communities are heard?
read the response here
Bianca,27 yearsRomania
Answer

Agenda of Fondation Botnar’s presence at WUF

Youth Assembly Panel Discussion and Signing Ceremony

  • Date: Sunday 26 June 2022
  • Time: 11.10-12.00 CET

The Youth Assembly will commence an engaging discussion involving Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Michel Zuluaga of our partner Despacio, our CEO Stefan Germann and others coming together to discuss digital innovation and frontier technologies, including AI for sustainable urban development.

Launch of Young Gamechangers program

  • Date: Sunday 26 June 2022
  • Time: TBC

The UN-Habitat Young Gamechangers is a three-year project focusing on intermediary cities in Senegal, India, and Colombia to improve the urban health and wellbeing of young people through their active engagement in urban governance, design of inclusive public spaces and digital engagement.

Launch of global DeclarACTION

  • Date: Sunday 26 June 2022
  • Time: 17.30-18.00 CET

Join our partners UN-Habitat for the launch of their initiative calling for youth to make a global DeclarACTION: a pledge for action relating to the SDGs – during the Youth Assembly.

Youth Zone Opening Ceremony

  • Date: Monday 27 June 2022
  • Time: 12.30-13.00 CET

Make sure to visit the Youth Zone, an interactive space for youth to network and connect. Meet young people who participate in our Fondation Botnar programs.

Youth Zone: Thematic Talk, SDG Scorecard Demo, Minecraft Demo

  • Date: Monday 27 June 2022
  • Time: TBC

Join sessions at the Youth Zone, supported by Fondation Botnar! Exciting session include a Thematic Talk on the SDG Scorecard (TIME) and Minecraft demo (TIME).

Networking session: From local to global: youth participation in implementing SDGs

  • Date: Monday 27 June 2022
  • Time: 16.00-17.30 CET

The Healthy Cities for Adolescent program promotes young people as important contributors and equal partners in creating sustainable solutions for their respective growing cities, with the aim of deepening knowledge about health and wellbeing issues and solutions. This roundtable brings together representatives from the program, as well as our partners Despacio to discuss how young people can be involved in creating solutions to issues created by rapid urbanisation.

“Localizing the SDGs: Transformative partnerships to accelerate achievement of the Global Goals at local level”

  • Date: Wednesday 29 June 2022
  • CET Time: 13.30-15.30 CET

Join an engaging session where our CEO Stefan Germann will discuss how to prioritise young people’s participation and leadership in achieving the SDGs.

Collaboration and philanthropy for better cities

  • Date: Wednesday 29 June 2022
  • Time: 16.00-18.00 CET

Join our CEO, Stefan Germann at this roundtable discussing how philanthropy can unleash the power of e collective action for equitable giving, innovation, and deepen support and strengthen relationships with communities to build inclusive safe resilient cities for all.

The Future Now.
For Young People
Worldwide.

Fondation Botnar
St. Alban-Vorstadt 56
4052 Basel
Switzerland
info@fondationbotnar.org
+41 61 201 04 74

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