II Encounter of the Latin American Network for Fair, Democratic and Sustainable Cities

New ideas that can generate profound changes in Latin American cities In recent years, a growing number of cities more in than ten countries in Latin America are experiencing new opportunities for participatory democracy and monitoring to public entities. Focused on mobilization and awareness of the society for effective participation and collaboration in the building of these cities, these experiences are driven by independent, nonpartisan citizen initiatives (movements, observatories, networks or programs). They work in monitoring social indicators and public policies and the performance of decision making bodies, verify the implementation of municipal budgets, conduct educational campaigns and community mobilization and other activities, proposing goals for sustainable development and improving quality of life for all residents of their cities. The II Encounter of the Latin American Network for Fair, Democratic and Sustainable Cities, will meet on August 29, 30 in the city of Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) and bring together to approximately 55 of these citizen initiatives acting in various cities in the Network. The purpose of this meeting is to promote discussion and reflection on ways to promote sustainable urban development with equity and citizen participation. It will be an opportunity for network members to strengthen their relationship, and exchange and develop projects and partnerships. An effort in the building new ideas that can create profound changes in Latin American cities. The II Encounter will seek to advance the construction of a common agenda between these citizen initiatives in order to enhance technical and local political action, creating a regional, continental and global levels integration. They will meet representatives of the initiatives of each of the cities that make up the Latin American Network for Fair, Democratic and Sustainable Cities, scholars and experts invited to discuss the proposals to contribute to sustainable development (social, political and environmental) and urban equity in the continent through the consolidation of agreements for joint action between local movements, forming ethical and political agenda in the region. The event program includes presentations on trends in urban development and citizen participation, presentation of best practices for monitoring the quality of life with the participation of citizens, among other activities. The agenda can be accessed on the Web: www.encuentroredciudades.com/pr (Portuguese version) www.encuentroredciudades.com (Spanish version)

Other information about the Network and the II Encounter is available on: - Blog: http://redciudades.net/blog - Facebook: www.facebook.com/RedCiudadesLA - Twitter: www.twitter.com/RedCiudadesLA - Email: encuentro@redciudades.net