messaggio studios video launches The World Urban Campaign

The energetic, motivating and inspiring video features Yann Hnautra, one of the founders of Yamakasi, an urban parkour movement whose practitioners train to jump and climb objects in their path. The 7 minute clip features original messaggio studios footage filmed in cities, communities and urban spaces across the globe (India, Tanzania, Singapore, Washington DC, New York, Lyon, Geneva, Madrid, Bangkok, Sao Paulo). Directed by Raphaël Marino, head of audio-visual at messaggio studios, the film was conceived with the input and influence of Giray and UN-Habitat’s “granddad of hip-hop” Nicholas You, who currently chairs the World Urban Campaign Steering Committee. The positive message of the video is one of hope, of partnerships, of moving forward together to find opportunities and solutions within the rapid urbanization that our planet is undergoing.

Giray introduces the WUC launch video

Giray’s speech, and the video itself, invited those present and viewers worldwide to unite, to get on board and to join the Campaign. Coordinated by UN-Habitat but owned and driven by it’s partners, the World Urban Campaign is a global effort to form a network of partners from public, private and social sectors. Campaign partners will work together to share information and best practice with the common goal of achieving resilient, sustainable urban communities worldwide.

Watch and download the video here ( wmv, wmv large, mov, flv), or see it on youtube

Alongside the opening video, the WUC launch also saw speeches and pledges of partnership from important urban players from across sectors and across the globe. UN-Habitat’s Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka invited representatives from government, civil society, the global unions, gender, professionals, media and the private sector to sign up on stage to show their commitment to the campaign. Partnership applications were available at audience seats and those present were encouraged to fill them out there and then. The participation was almost universal.

Following a global competition to find a logo that encapsulates this crucial project, the winner was announced and the logo revealed. The competition sponsor, San Francisco State University and the chair of the jury explained the choice behind the winning design. Mr. João Borges - was presented with his prize cheque, as funded by Veolia: a WUC partner.

Neil Peirce of the Washington Post Writers Group highlighted the importance of media in sharing stories of success and solutions. His team has worked to create Citiscope - www.citiscope.org: a global news site - which has been launched in association with the Campaign. This site is a tool to share positive and progressive news about urban projects and expert news.

Those in the audience, and those watching online were also privileged to hear about the first WUC common effort: The 100 cities initiative - Your city. Your story. It aims to share innovative urban practices by encouraging and mobilizing people, communities, municipal officials, service providers and political leaders of any city to tell their story about how they are contributing to a better and more sustainable city. Ms. Sonia Castedo, Lady Mayor of Alicante - one of the pioneering cities - encouraged cities to join the initiative and share their stories. She also announced that Alicante will host the first 100 Cities Summit in April 2011.

Finally, UN-Habitat unveiled that the next session of the World Urban Forum will be held in Bahrain in 2012. See you then!