The AESOP Young Academics (YA) participated in the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) held in Cairo, Egypt, from November 4-8, 2024. Under the overarching theme of "It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities," the Forum aimed to showcase how localized initiatives can drive the achievement of sustainable urban development goals. Within this context, the AESOP Young Academics contributed significantly by organizing a 90-minute Networking Event under the sub-concept of DIALOGUE 5: Putting People First in a Digital Era.
Photo 1. From the left, SaeBom Song (the current Chair of the AESOP YA) and Milan Husar and Sila Ceren Varis Husar (the former AESOP YA chairs)
Photo 2. Information flyers prepared for the Networking Event
The event, titled "Citizen-Centric AI in Smart Cities for Participatory Urban Governance: Local Actions from Egypt, Germany, and the Republic of Korea (https://wuf.unhabitat.org/event/wuf12/citizen-centric-ai-smart-cities-participatory-urban-governance-local-actions-egypt )," sought to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), urban planning, and governance in creating more inclusive and participatory smart cities. The event facilitated a platform for engaging discussions on how AI technologies can be harnessed in urban contexts to prioritize citizens' needs, ensuring that these technologies are designed and implemented with a focus on inclusivity and participation.
Photo 3. Discussion session of the networking event
The event was initiated with an insightful opening remark by Milan Husar and Sila Ceren Varis Husar, former AESOP YA chairs, who set the tone for the session by emphasizing the importance of citizen-centric approaches to urban governance in the age of digitalization. The discussion session was moderated by SaeBom Song, the current Chair of the AESOP Young Academics, who also represented South Korea as a panelist, contributing her expertise on how participatory practices are integrated into urban governance models in the East Asian context.
In addition to SaeBom Song, the panel included four prominent international experts: Dr. Jens Libbe from the German Institute of Urban Affairs, Prof. Dr. Dina K. Shehayeb from Nile University, Egypt, and Mennatullah Hendawy, a former AESOP YA member and currently affiliated with the University of California, Santa Cruz. Together, they provided diverse perspectives on the potential of AI-driven solutions to foster citizen engagement and participatory governance across different global contexts.
Photo 4. Organizers and panelists (Prof. Dr. Dina K. Shehayeb (left) and Dr. Jens Libbe (Right))
In conclusion, the discussions contributed to the formation of broader international networks, enhancing AESOP Young Academics’ visibility beyond Europe and positioning it as an essential player in the global conversation on urban sustainability and governance. The event at WUF12 was an invaluable occasion for AESOP Young Academics to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable urban development, and it demonstrated the crucial role of interdisciplinary, participatory approaches in shaping the future of smart cities. The event highlighted the vital importance of inclusivity in urban governance, ensuring that AI technologies are not only cutting-edge but also grounded in the realities and needs of the communities they are meant to serve.
Photo 5. "New Pact Between UN-Habitat and Academia" forum
In addition to her role in the Networking Event, SaeBom Song participated in the "New Pact Between UN-Habitat and Academia(https://wuf.unhabitat.org/event/wuf12/new-pact-between-un-habitat-and-academia) " forum, held at the UN-Habitat Arena. She was joined by Paulo Silva, representing GPEAN, as they engaged in discussions on strengthening collaboration between UN-Habitat and academic institutions. During this event, she engaged in in-depth discussions and delivered a compelling presentation addressing the challenges, opportunities, and transformative potential of UN-Habitat Universities. These discussions laid a robust foundation for the framework, the UN-Habitat University aims to implement in the coming years.
Photo 6. Discussion group
SaeBom Song, representing her discussion group, underscored the necessity for the evolving partnership between UN-Habitat and higher education institutions to be both contextually adaptable and globally scalable. She highlighted the critical importance of prioritizing the needs and capacities of local educational institutions, ensuring that the collaboration is equitable and inclusive. This partnership will foster meaningful knowledge exchange between the Global North and South, while promoting interdisciplinary research and inclusive dialogue. She emphasized that such engagement with diverse stakeholders can lead to the development of actionable strategies and has the potential to exert significant political influence on the international urban agenda.
