Human security and cities: Challenges and opportunities

With the world now over 50% urban, and cities growing in size and power, the Human Security Policy Division (GHS) at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) conducted two Fast Talks on human security and cities (HSC) in October 2005 and March 2006, in an attempt to identify how this emerging issue impacts human security. Ten experts (four in the first session and six in the second) were engaged to provide insight on this topic. The March 2006 Fast Talk asked its experts to consider the ways in which failed and fragile cities, slum insecurity, urban conflict prevention, and local governance and democracy impact human security. General insights from the October 2005 Fast Talk have also been integrated into this discussion.