Globalising Cities: rethinking urban policies, 29-30 March, Municipal Congress Hall,  Campo de las Naciones, Madrid

26/03/2007 - Globalisation is increasing competition between major urban centres eager to take advantage of international economic opportunities. While some are thriving, attracting foreign investment or profiting from the ‘off-shoring’ of manufacturing and services sectors, others are falling behind and all are struggling with social and environmental problems.
 
An international conference - What Policies for Global Cities? Rethinking the urban policy agenda – lead by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, the Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, and Ricardo Lagos, President of the Club of Madrid - will bring together some 500 participants including leaders from all levels of government, policy makers and academics to discuss urban policies that can best take advantage of new global opportunities. Organised by the OECD, the City of Madrid, the Spanish Ministry of Public Administration and the Club of Madrid, this conference is open to journalists.
 
Angel Gurría, with Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón and Ricardo Lagos, will hold a news conference at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday 29 March in Madrid’s Municipal Congress Hall.
 
Conference participants will address questions such as: What can be done to bridge the growing social gap between high and low skilled workers and immigrants and nationals? Can education and training programmes bring vulnerable groups into the labour market? How can infrastructure be expanded to meet the needs of metropolitan areas and their residents? Participants will also debate the role cities play in climate change. Given that cities are significant sources of harmful emissions, what policies can best curb green house gases and reduce waste without running up against public resistance?
 
Journalists wishing to attend the conference or arrange interviews are invited to contact Helen Fisher, OECD Media Division (tel.  + 331 45 24 80 97).