UCLG Africa at Metropolis Annual Meeting in Johannesburg

The Metropolis Annual Meeting took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 16-19 July 2013, with the participation of World Mayors. During this event, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi represented United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) as its Secretary General.

 

In a local interview with the South African Cities Network, Mr. Mbassi discussed the concept of Ubuntu, an African philosophy focusing on human relations, on which the conference’s theme “Caring Cities” is based. UCLG Africa’s Secretary General then emphasized on a top challenge facing urban Africa: “Considering people as an asset” and planning cities based on people’s potential rather than demand. Mr. Mbassi also underlined how not only can African cities learn from the South  African experiences, but also how South African mayors can take lessons from African initiatives to include the people in the management of their cities.

Check here the full interview