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Objective During the 1990s, there has been renewed and heightened concern for poverty reduction in the international community. Nevertheless, the mixed results of conventional poverty reduction strategies are disappointing. Research carried out by academics suggests that lack of progress on the poverty front can in many cases be explained by the neglect or misunderstanding of the role of governance. Thus, the challenge is not only to address poverty reduction and governance together but also to design and operate the governance mechanisms in ways which muster societal dynamics for the benefit of poverty reduction; in other words, to make governance participatory. The interdependent trilogy of empowerment, accountability and capacity building, within a context of the rule of law and guarantee of civil liberties and human rights offers the building blocks of participatory governance. The objective of this round table is to show how a participatory approach to governance operates as an essential link in the net of causalities, which have to be considered and taken into account in designing and implementing urban poverty reduction strategies. Tentative Agenda Chair: Geneviève Domenach-Chich, UNESCO-MOST Programme Moderator: Mohamed Soumaré, ENDA/ECOPOP Introductory Remarks: by UNESCO and ENDA Presentations: 1. Relationship between good urban governance and poverty reduction, by Abdoumaliq Simone, New York University 2. Pre-conditions for Participatory Governance, by Françoise Lieberherr-Gardiol, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 3. OECD Principles of Metropolitan Governance, by Lindsay Mac Farlane, Urban Affairs Division – OECD 4. Participation of inhabitants in the French "Politique de la Ville", by Annick Guillemot, Mayor of Bron, France 5. Youth Participation and public spaces in the city, by Marianne Bernheim, Joint NGO/UNESCO programme commission Discussion Conclusions Participating Organisations: UNESCO, ENDA, UNCHS, UNV, OECD, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Joint NGO/UNESCO Programme Commission, French "Conseil National des Villes", New York University. Contact Persons: Geneviève Domenach-Chich, UNESCO, g.domenach-chich@unesco.org ENDA/ECOPOP, ecopop@enda.sn

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