The Mercociudades network comprised of 353 cities in South America and the Global Resilient Cities Network launch “Escuela de Resiliencia” (Resilience School) to support cities in their efforts to anticipate climate and other urban challenges.
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (February 11, 2020) – Mercociudades, the South American network of cities, and the Global Resilient Cities Network, announced today the renewal of their partnership to support cities in their efforts to better anticipate climate and other urban challenges. The partnership was launched during the 10th edition of United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF) and will focus on the establishment of the initiative “Escuela de Resiliencia” (Resilience School) to strengthen municipal capacities on urban resilience.
“We are very happy to announce the renewal of our alliance in this new era of the Resilient Cities movement. Through the work of Escuela de Resiliencia we will be able to share the experience of cities that are members of both of our networks like Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Porto Alegre, Santiago, Medellin or Santa Fe, with others that are in urgent need to strengthen their municipal capabilities to build resilience,” said Jorge Rodríguez, permanent Secretary of Mercociudades.
Latin America is more densely populated and more interconnected than ever before. From extreme weather to the migration crisis, disease pandemics and air quality degradation, cities require new models of governance and ambitious policies to mitigate risk, innovate and respond to these challenges.
“When addressing urbanization and climate change, business as usual is no longer an option, cities cannot afford to solve only one problem at a time, resilience is key to plan a better future,” said Rodrigo Corradi, Chief Resilience Officer from Porto Alegre, Brazil and an active member of both networks.
For over 25 years, Mercociudades has been one of the key city networks in Latin America, with 353 members representing over 120 million population in 10 countries. “We are partnering with Mercociudades who has an outstanding track record of supporting cities in South America to better prepare for their risks and challenges. Through this partnership we will be able to expand our reach beyond our members and share our learnings and capacities on how to make cities more resilient. This is a tremendous challenge in the face of urban sprawl and is an imperative to tackle the climate crisis and the growing trend towards urban social exclusion in the Latin American region,” said Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director of the Global Resilient Cities Network.
About the Global Network of Resilient Cities
The Global Resilient Cities Network (GRCN) is the city-led organization that will drive urban resilience action to protect vulnerable communities from climate change and other physical, social and economic urban adversities and challenges. With support from The Rockefeller Foundation and other funding strategic partners, the Network aims to continue supporting cities and their Chief Resilience Officers in future-proofing their communities and critical infrastructure with a unique reach, strength and legacy to understand and support the challenges of the ever-growing urban society.
About Mercociudades
Mercociudades was founded in 1995 by twelve mayors South American willing to construct a different kind of regional integration, respectful of diversity and with the aim of building a participatory and borderless citizenship. 25 years later Mercociudades is one of the most important networks of local governments in South America and a leading reference in the regional integration processes. Our mission is to strengthen regional identity and integration to ensure the development of cities and well-being in South America, building integrated, inclusive and participatory and resilient cities.
Media Contact:
GRCN
Sylvia Sanchez
sylvia@marketinglab.com.mx
Mercociudades
Jorge Rodríguez
jorge.a.rodriguez@imm.gub.uy
About Resilient Cities Network
Resilient Cities Network is a global city-led nonprofit organization that brings together knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding to empower cities to help them build a safe, equitable and sustainable future for all. The Network integrates the combined effort of urban practitioners, city governments, and communities in a collective, comprehensive, and well-coordinated call-to-action to deliver urban impact-driven resilience solutions.
Media Contact
Fabiola Guillen
fguillen@resilientcitiesnetwork.org
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