Richard José Salas González

Director of Operations of the Integradores Project Organization, CA

Richard José Salas Gonzalez has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Accounting, Tax Science, and is specialized in Tax Management and Tax Legislation. He is currently the Director of Operations of the Integradores Project Organization, CA. This Company has more than 11 services at the service of Municipal Governments and is specialized in control, optimization and growth of municipal financial resources (income tax), and the implementation of administrative projects to control public resources, through the SAP/R3 tool. Its experience shows important growth result in tax recovery that contributes to the sustainability of Local Governments. Since 2008, the company Proyectos Integradores, actively offers its service to the Municipality of Heres, Venezuela. 

Richard José Salas González

Director of Operations of the Integradores Project Organization, CA

Richard José Salas Gonzalez has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Accounting, Tax Science, and is specialized in Tax Management and Tax Legislation. He is currently the Director of Operations of the Integradores Project Organization, CA. This Company has more than 11 services at the service of Municipal Governments and is specialized in control, optimization and growth of municipal financial resources (income tax), and the implementation of administrative projects to control public resources, through the SAP/R3 tool. Its experience shows important growth result in tax recovery that contributes to the sustainability of Local Governments. Since 2008, the company Proyectos Integradores, actively offers its service to the Municipality of Heres, Venezuela. 

Robert Malley

Middle East and North Africa Program Director for the International Crisis Group

Robert Malley is an expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict, in Palestinian politics, in Iraq and North Africa. Robert Malley directs analysts based in Amman, Cairo, Beirut, Tel Aviv and Baghdad. Together they report on the political, social and economic factors affecting the risk of conflict and make policy recommendations to address these threats. The team covers events from Iran to Morocco, with a heavy focus on the Arab-Israeli conflict, the situation in Iraq, and Islamist movements throughout the region. He also covers developments in the United States that affect policy toward the Middle East. Prior to this position, Robert Malley was a Special Assistant to President Clinton for Arab-Israeli Affairs. Previously he was Executive Assistant to the National Security Advisor, and director for Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the National Security Council.

Robert Malley

Middle East and North Africa Program Director for the International Crisis Group

Robert Malley is an expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict, in Palestinian politics, in Iraq and North Africa. Robert Malley directs analysts based in Amman, Cairo, Beirut, Tel Aviv and Baghdad. Together they report on the political, social and economic factors affecting the risk of conflict and make policy recommendations to address these threats. The team covers events from Iran to Morocco, with a heavy focus on the Arab-Israeli conflict, the situation in Iraq, and Islamist movements throughout the region. He also covers developments in the United States that affect policy toward the Middle East. Prior to this position, Robert Malley was a Special Assistant to President Clinton for Arab-Israeli Affairs. Previously he was Executive Assistant to the National Security Advisor, and director for Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the National Security Council.

Roger Bruce Myerson

Nobel Prize for Economics winner, Professor at the University of Chicago

Roger Myerson taught at Northwestern University from 1976 to 2001 and has since taught in the University of Chicago's economics department.  His analysis of incentive constraints in economic communication introduced several fundamental ideas of mechanism design theory.

Myerson is author of Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict and has used game-theoretic analysis to study political systems.  He has written on resolve and restraint in strategic deterrence, on moral hazard and leadership in the foundations of the state, and on the vital role of local democracy in democratic development.  In 2007, he was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.

Roger Bruce Myerson

Nobel Prize for Economics winner, Professor at the University of Chicago

Roger Myerson taught at Northwestern University from 1976 to 2001 and has since taught in the University of Chicago's economics department.  His analysis of incentive constraints in economic communication introduced several fundamental ideas of mechanism design theory.

Myerson is author of Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict and has used game-theoretic analysis to study political systems.  He has written on resolve and restraint in strategic deterrence, on moral hazard and leadership in the foundations of the state, and on the vital role of local democracy in democratic development.  In 2007, he was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.

Rosa Pavanelli

Secretary General of Public Services International (PSI)

Rosa Pavanelli is the Secretary General of Public Services International (PSI), the global union federation for public sector trade unions. She started her trade union activity in 1978 while working with the Ministry of Labour in Brescia. In 1986 she became a member of FP-CGIL’s Secretariat, responsible for the municipal sector, and then for the healthcare sector. She later worked full time for CGIL, becoming regional General Secretary in 1999, and later President of the public sector branch of CGIL. She has also served as Vice President of the European Public Service Union Federation in 2009, and PSI Vice President for the European Region.

Rosa Pavanelli has made it her life work to relentlessly strive for the dream of the better world that we can build together, in solidarity. She was an activist in the labour movement from an early age. “Being a unionist is genetic for me,” noting that her father was a prominent trade union leader with the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL).

Rosa Pavanelli

Secretary General of Public Services International (PSI)

Rosa Pavanelli is the Secretary General of Public Services International (PSI), the global union federation for public sector trade unions. She started her trade union activity in 1978 while working with the Ministry of Labour in Brescia. In 1986 she became a member of FP-CGIL’s Secretariat, responsible for the municipal sector, and then for the healthcare sector. She later worked full time for CGIL, becoming regional General Secretary in 1999, and later President of the public sector branch of CGIL. She has also served as Vice President of the European Public Service Union Federation in 2009, and PSI Vice President for the European Region.

Rosa Pavanelli has made it her life work to relentlessly strive for the dream of the better world that we can build together, in solidarity. She was an activist in the labour movement from an early age. “Being a unionist is genetic for me,” noting that her father was a prominent trade union leader with the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL).

Rosario Crocetta

President of the Region of Sicilia

Después de graduarse, trabajó para ENI en distintos países del mundo desempeñando labores técnicas específicas en el ámbito informático.

Primero se unió al Partido Comunista Italiano y después a Rifondazione Comunista, con el que fue asesor de cultura del ayuntamiento de Gela  desde  1996 hasta 1998. En ese año fue elegido concejal comprometiéndose en la elaboración de proyectos culturales compartidos entre los países del Mediterráneo; en el 2000, finalizada tal tarea, se unió al Partido Comunista Italiano. Del 2000 al 2001 fue asesor de Educación del Ayuntamiento de Gela .

En mayo de 2002, por primera vez, ofrece su candidatura a alcalde de su ciudad para la alianza de centroizquierda. Al principio, es elegido el candidato de centroderecha con un margen de 197 votos, pero en el 2003 se proclama alcalde con 307 más.

A lo largo de su campaña electoral y durante todo el mandato, se ha convertido en portavoz de la necesidad  de combatir Cosa Nostra, autodefiniéndose como ‘alcalde antimafia’. Así mismo, se ha convertido en portavoz de los empresarios y comerciantes acosados por la mafia y obligados a pagar el dinero de protección, involucrándolos en el nacimiento de la primera asociación Antiracket de Gela. Hoy en día, la Asociación es una de las más activas a nivel nacional y cuenta con más de un centenar de empresarios y comerciantes que han denunciado la extorsión.

El 1 de octubre de 2008, se unió al Partido Demócrata.
En las elecciones europeas de 2009 fue candidato en la circunscripción Italia insular en la lista del Partido Demócrata y con 150.091 preferencias es elegido en el Parlamento Europeo. Dimite como alcalde de Gela después de dos años de la reconfirmación.
El 18 de abril de 2012 se convierte en el primer vicepresidente de la Comisión Especial Antimafia (Crim) de la Unión Europea.
El 28 de octubre de 2012, es elegido Presidente de la Región de Sicilia para el centro - izquierda.

Rosario Crocetta

President of the Region of Sicilia

Después de graduarse, trabajó para ENI en distintos países del mundo desempeñando labores técnicas específicas en el ámbito informático.

Primero se unió al Partido Comunista Italiano y después a Rifondazione Comunista, con el que fue asesor de cultura del ayuntamiento de Gela  desde  1996 hasta 1998. En ese año fue elegido concejal comprometiéndose en la elaboración de proyectos culturales compartidos entre los países del Mediterráneo; en el 2000, finalizada tal tarea, se unió al Partido Comunista Italiano. Del 2000 al 2001 fue asesor de Educación del Ayuntamiento de Gela .

En mayo de 2002, por primera vez, ofrece su candidatura a alcalde de su ciudad para la alianza de centroizquierda. Al principio, es elegido el candidato de centroderecha con un margen de 197 votos, pero en el 2003 se proclama alcalde con 307 más.

A lo largo de su campaña electoral y durante todo el mandato, se ha convertido en portavoz de la necesidad  de combatir Cosa Nostra, autodefiniéndose como ‘alcalde antimafia’. Así mismo, se ha convertido en portavoz de los empresarios y comerciantes acosados por la mafia y obligados a pagar el dinero de protección, involucrándolos en el nacimiento de la primera asociación Antiracket de Gela. Hoy en día, la Asociación es una de las más activas a nivel nacional y cuenta con más de un centenar de empresarios y comerciantes que han denunciado la extorsión.

El 1 de octubre de 2008, se unió al Partido Demócrata.
En las elecciones europeas de 2009 fue candidato en la circunscripción Italia insular en la lista del Partido Demócrata y con 150.091 preferencias es elegido en el Parlamento Europeo. Dimite como alcalde de Gela después de dos años de la reconfirmación.
El 18 de abril de 2012 se convierte en el primer vicepresidente de la Comisión Especial Antimafia (Crim) de la Unión Europea.
El 28 de octubre de 2012, es elegido Presidente de la Región de Sicilia para el centro - izquierda.

Sabine Guichet-Lebailly

Chef du service Coopérations Internationales et Mobilité, Région Basse-Normandie

Sabine Guichet-Lebailly est française, elle est née le 12 juillet 1962 à Orléans.

Depuis mai 2005, elle est contractuelle de la fonction publique territoriale française, en poste au Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie. Après avoir créé et piloté la Mission Coopération décentralisée et Droits de l’Homme jusqu’en juin 2011, elle dirige désormais le service Coopération Internationale et Mobilité au sein de la Direction des Affaires Européennes et des  Relations Internationales.

Détenteur d’une maîtrise en management interculturel, son expérience professionnelle l’a conduite à proposer l’ouverture de la Région Basse-Normandie vers des territoires et des thématiques de coopérations à forts enjeux et valeur ajoutée. Elle a assuré la promotion de domaines comme l’Approche Territoriale du Développement (ATD), les Droits de l’Homme, la Sécurité Alimentaire, le Tourisme Durable…

Les partenariats développés sous son influence s’attachent à la mise en réseau et à la mutualisation des expériences et des compétences et tendent tous à promouvoir le rôle et la reconnaissance des Régions et des Gouvernements locaux du monde auprès des instances internationales que sont l’ONU et l’Union Européenne.

Par son action, elle a favorisé la prise de position de la Basse-Normandie au sein de l’ORU-FOGAR puis comme Présidente du Core Group sur la sécurité alimentaire. Dans ce cadre, elle a accompagné la Région aux premiers sommets internationaux de Dakar (en 2010) et Medellin (en 2012) consacrés à ce thème. 

Sabine Guichet-Lebailly

Chef du service Coopérations Internationales et Mobilité, Région Basse-Normandie

Sabine Guichet-Lebailly est française, elle est née le 12 juillet 1962 à Orléans.

Depuis mai 2005, elle est contractuelle de la fonction publique territoriale française, en poste au Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie. Après avoir créé et piloté la Mission Coopération décentralisée et Droits de l’Homme jusqu’en juin 2011, elle dirige désormais le service Coopération Internationale et Mobilité au sein de la Direction des Affaires Européennes et des  Relations Internationales.

Détenteur d’une maîtrise en management interculturel, son expérience professionnelle l’a conduite à proposer l’ouverture de la Région Basse-Normandie vers des territoires et des thématiques de coopérations à forts enjeux et valeur ajoutée. Elle a assuré la promotion de domaines comme l’Approche Territoriale du Développement (ATD), les Droits de l’Homme, la Sécurité Alimentaire, le Tourisme Durable…

Les partenariats développés sous son influence s’attachent à la mise en réseau et à la mutualisation des expériences et des compétences et tendent tous à promouvoir le rôle et la reconnaissance des Régions et des Gouvernements locaux du monde auprès des instances internationales que sont l’ONU et l’Union Européenne.

Par son action, elle a favorisé la prise de position de la Basse-Normandie au sein de l’ORU-FOGAR puis comme Présidente du Core Group sur la sécurité alimentaire. Dans ce cadre, elle a accompagné la Région aux premiers sommets internationaux de Dakar (en 2010) et Medellin (en 2012) consacrés à ce thème. 

Sadi Melo Moya

Mayor of the Town of El Bosque

Sadi Melo Moya was appointed to the position in 1991, by the then President Patricio Aylwin Azócar, becoming one of the founders and only mayor of the commune.Including the municipal elections of 2012 - where he won 66 percent of the vote, he has been reelected six times consecutively.

Currently he works also as Secretary General of the Chilean Association of Municipalities (Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades, ACHM) and as president of the Association of Municipalities "South City" (Asociación de Municipalidades "Ciudad Sur"), an organization composed of the mayors of 7 municipalities of the southern sector of Santiago: El Bosque, La Pintana, Lo Espejo, San Joaquín, Pedro Aguirre Cerda, La Granja and San Ramón.

Among other positions he has held, he was vice president and member of the education committee of the Chilean Association of Municipalities (Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades), between 2002 and 2004 - and the chair of the childhood committee in that entity, from 2007 to 2009.

He was leader of an internal group of the Chilean Socialist Party: The Socialist Collective Identity (el Colectivo de Identidad Socialista), which emerged at the Extraordinary Congress of Concepcion in 1998, as a critical alternative to the directions of the party-, Sadi Melo has been elected several times as Central Committee member of the Political Commission (Comité Central y de la Comisión Política), later becoming the Vice Chairman of the Socialist Party of Chile.

Between 1974 and 1977, he studied Economics at the University of Chile, later entering at the State Technical University (now USACH), where he obtained the title of Professor of Castilian. In 1988 he took a Masters in Urban Planning at the Catholic University of Chile.

During the military regime, he expressed his commitment to public service through politics, and also joined the Evangelical Development Service, SEPADE, in order to help eradicate poverty in the south of the metropolitan region, mainly in what is now the town of El Bosque and surrounding areas, before La Cisterna y San Bernardo.

Sadi Melo Moya

Mayor of the Town of El Bosque

Sadi Melo Moya was appointed to the position in 1991, by the then President Patricio Aylwin Azócar, becoming one of the founders and only mayor of the commune.Including the municipal elections of 2012 - where he won 66 percent of the vote, he has been reelected six times consecutively.

Currently he works also as Secretary General of the Chilean Association of Municipalities (Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades, ACHM) and as president of the Association of Municipalities "South City" (Asociación de Municipalidades "Ciudad Sur"), an organization composed of the mayors of 7 municipalities of the southern sector of Santiago: El Bosque, La Pintana, Lo Espejo, San Joaquín, Pedro Aguirre Cerda, La Granja and San Ramón.

Among other positions he has held, he was vice president and member of the education committee of the Chilean Association of Municipalities (Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades), between 2002 and 2004 - and the chair of the childhood committee in that entity, from 2007 to 2009.

He was leader of an internal group of the Chilean Socialist Party: The Socialist Collective Identity (el Colectivo de Identidad Socialista), which emerged at the Extraordinary Congress of Concepcion in 1998, as a critical alternative to the directions of the party-, Sadi Melo has been elected several times as Central Committee member of the Political Commission (Comité Central y de la Comisión Política), later becoming the Vice Chairman of the Socialist Party of Chile.

Between 1974 and 1977, he studied Economics at the University of Chile, later entering at the State Technical University (now USACH), where he obtained the title of Professor of Castilian. In 1988 he took a Masters in Urban Planning at the Catholic University of Chile.

During the military regime, he expressed his commitment to public service through politics, and also joined the Evangelical Development Service, SEPADE, in order to help eradicate poverty in the south of the metropolitan region, mainly in what is now the town of El Bosque and surrounding areas, before La Cisterna y San Bernardo.

Saïfallah Lasram

Tunis Mayor since 2011 / Président de la Commission des Affaires Économiques

De 2000 à 2005 il était Maire adjoint et Président de la Commission des Affaires Économiques.

M. Lasram a fait carrière dans le secteur du Tourisme où il a occupé plusieurs postes de responsabilité en Tunisie et à l’Étranger dont principalement : Président Directeur Général des Sociétés de Promotion des Golfs en Tunisie de 2006 à 2011, Coordinateur du Cabinet du Directeur du Tourisme et de l’Artisanat de 2003 à 2005.

M. Lasram a représenté l’État dans plusieurs conseils d’Administration d’Entreprises publiques dont Tunis Air et l’Office de l’Aviation Civile. Il est ancien membre du Conseil Économique et Social. Il est marié et père de trois enfants. 

Saïfallah Lasram

Tunis Mayor since 2011 / Président de la Commission des Affaires Économiques

De 2000 à 2005 il était Maire adjoint et Président de la Commission des Affaires Économiques.

M. Lasram a fait carrière dans le secteur du Tourisme où il a occupé plusieurs postes de responsabilité en Tunisie et à l’Étranger dont principalement : Président Directeur Général des Sociétés de Promotion des Golfs en Tunisie de 2006 à 2011, Coordinateur du Cabinet du Directeur du Tourisme et de l’Artisanat de 2003 à 2005.

M. Lasram a représenté l’État dans plusieurs conseils d’Administration d’Entreprises publiques dont Tunis Air et l’Office de l’Aviation Civile. Il est ancien membre du Conseil Économique et Social. Il est marié et père de trois enfants. 

Saliou Sarr

Président, Commission Sécurité Alimentaire et Développement Rural, Région de Saint-Louis

M. Saliou Sarr est Conseiller régional de la Région de Saint Louis au Sénégal, Président de la commission Sécurité Alimentaire et Développement Rural.

Il est économiste Agricole de formation, spécialiste en organisation et en stratégies paysannes.

M. Sarr est également coordonnateur de l’Unité des Programmes de AGEP/ASPRODEB (Association Sénégalaise pour la Promotion du Développement à la Base), agence d’exécution de projets dans le monde rural. Cette agence exécute depuis 1995 des projets et programmes de l’Etat du Sénégal, de la FAO, de la Banque mondiale, du FIDA, de l’Union Européenne, de l’USAID, etc.

Il a été membre de différentes organisations/conseils tels que l’équipe de recherche/développement du CNCR (Conseil National de Concertation des Ruraux du Sénégal) ; la coordination du ROPPA (Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs Agricoles de l’Afrique de l’Ouest) pour le Sénégal en 2000 ;  le groupe d’élaboration de la PAU de l’UEMOA pour les organisations paysannes africaines en 2001 et il a été coordinateur du ROPPA Sénégal pour les négociations de l’OMC (6ème Conférence Ministérielle de Hong Kong) en 2005.

Saliou Sarr

Président, Commission Sécurité Alimentaire et Développement Rural, Région de Saint-Louis

M. Saliou Sarr est Conseiller régional de la Région de Saint Louis au Sénégal, Président de la commission Sécurité Alimentaire et Développement Rural.

Il est économiste Agricole de formation, spécialiste en organisation et en stratégies paysannes.

M. Sarr est également coordonnateur de l’Unité des Programmes de AGEP/ASPRODEB (Association Sénégalaise pour la Promotion du Développement à la Base), agence d’exécution de projets dans le monde rural. Cette agence exécute depuis 1995 des projets et programmes de l’Etat du Sénégal, de la FAO, de la Banque mondiale, du FIDA, de l’Union Européenne, de l’USAID, etc.

Il a été membre de différentes organisations/conseils tels que l’équipe de recherche/développement du CNCR (Conseil National de Concertation des Ruraux du Sénégal) ; la coordination du ROPPA (Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs Agricoles de l’Afrique de l’Ouest) pour le Sénégal en 2000 ;  le groupe d’élaboration de la PAU de l’UEMOA pour les organisations paysannes africaines en 2001 et il a été coordinateur du ROPPA Sénégal pour les négociations de l’OMC (6ème Conférence Ministérielle de Hong Kong) en 2005.

Salvador Esteve I Figueras

Barcelona Diputació president / President of the Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Committee of UCLG

Salvador Esteve i Figueras was born in Martorell, Spain on 29th April 1945 where he still resides. He is married with five children and 12 grandchildren. Following studies in Commerce and Accounting and a professional training in the field of saving, he was Mayor of Martorell for the periods 1987-2003 and from 2007 to present. He was also deputy in the Catalan Parliament during the IV, V and VI terms (1992 – 2003) and President of the Catalan Association of Municipalities and Provinces up to 2011 when he was selected as President of the Diputació of Barcelona, position he still holds today.

He also currently occupies the Presidency of the Democratic Foundation of Local Governments, the secretariat of the Arco Latino and the Presidency of the Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Committee of United Cities and Local Governments.

Salvador Esteve I Figueras

Barcelona Diputació president / President of the Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Committee of UCLG

Salvador Esteve i Figueras was born in Martorell, Spain on 29th April 1945 where he still resides. He is married with five children and 12 grandchildren. Following studies in Commerce and Accounting and a professional training in the field of saving, he was Mayor of Martorell for the periods 1987-2003 and from 2007 to present. He was also deputy in the Catalan Parliament during the IV, V and VI terms (1992 – 2003) and President of the Catalan Association of Municipalities and Provinces up to 2011 when he was selected as President of the Diputació of Barcelona, position he still holds today.

He also currently occupies the Presidency of the Democratic Foundation of Local Governments, the secretariat of the Arco Latino and the Presidency of the Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Committee of United Cities and Local Governments.

Scott Smith

President of US Conference of Mayors

Scott Smith was first elected Mayor of Mesa, Arizona, the 3rd largest city in Arizona and 38th largest in America, in 2008. He was re-elected to a second term unopposed in 2012.  Mayor Smith is also President of the United States Conference of Mayors, Arizona’s first Mayor to lead the organization.

Mayor Smith earned a degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University, and MBA and Juris Doctor degrees from Arizona State University.

Serving in his first elected office, Mayor Smith has used his private-sector experience as a CEO, accountant and attorney to usher in a new era of decisive leadership and civic engagement.  Smith led efforts for the largest reorganization of city government in Mesa’s history reducing the budget nearly 20 percent, while simultaneously making the city more effective, efficient and business-friendly.

Mayor Smith is a fourth-generation Arizonan who lived in Tucson before moving to Mesa in his youth.  He and his wife Kim have been married for more than 30 years and have three children and five grandchildren.

Scott Smith

President of US Conference of Mayors

Scott Smith was first elected Mayor of Mesa, Arizona, the 3rd largest city in Arizona and 38th largest in America, in 2008. He was re-elected to a second term unopposed in 2012.  Mayor Smith is also President of the United States Conference of Mayors, Arizona’s first Mayor to lead the organization.

Mayor Smith earned a degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University, and MBA and Juris Doctor degrees from Arizona State University.

Serving in his first elected office, Mayor Smith has used his private-sector experience as a CEO, accountant and attorney to usher in a new era of decisive leadership and civic engagement.  Smith led efforts for the largest reorganization of city government in Mesa’s history reducing the budget nearly 20 percent, while simultaneously making the city more effective, efficient and business-friendly.

Mayor Smith is a fourth-generation Arizonan who lived in Tucson before moving to Mesa in his youth.  He and his wife Kim have been married for more than 30 years and have three children and five grandchildren.

Ségolène Royal

President of the Region Poitou-Charentes, President of the International Association of Francophone Regions (AIRF)

Ségolène Royal est, depuis 2004, Présidente de la Région Poitou-Charentes et Vice-présidente de l’Internationale socialiste. Elle a été députée du département des Deux-Sèvres de 1988 à 2007. Elle a été trois fois ministre : de l'Environnement (1992-1993), de l'Enseignement scolaire (1997-2000), de la Famille, de l'Enfance et des Personnes handicapées (2000-2002). En novembre 2006, elle a été choisie par les militants socialistes pour être la candidate du Parti socialiste à la présidentielle de 2007. Le 22 avril 2007, elle est la première femme à accéder au second tour d'une élection présidentielle en France.

Tout au long de son parcours, Ségolène Royal s'est résolument engagée à rendre son action politique la plus concrète possible. Elle est ainsi à l'origine de réformes emblématiques qui ont marqué l'évolution de la société :

•  la création du plan Handiscol, pour permettre à tous les enfants et adolescents handicapés de suivre une scolarité normale ou adaptée ;

•  la création du congé de paternité qui concilie pour la première fois, de façon concrète, l'égalité homme/femme ;

•  l'instauration de la garde alternée de l'enfant, dans le cadre d'une médiation familiale efficace ;

•  la protection de l'enfance, avec une lutte continue contre toutes les formes de violences.

La liste conduite par Ségolène Royal remporte les élections régionales le 28 mars 2004. Elle est élue présidente de la Région Poitou-Charentes le 2 avril 2004. Depuis, elle a amélioré la gestion de la région, mis l'accent sur la création d'entreprises, soutenu l'emploi notamment des jeunes, insisté sur la formation tout au long de la vie et promu l'exemplarité environnementale.

Elle a été réélue en Mars 2010 pour un second mandat de Présidente de la région Poitou-Charentes avec 61% des voix.

Ségolène Royal

President of the Region Poitou-Charentes, President of the International Association of Francophone Regions (AIRF)

Ségolène Royal est, depuis 2004, Présidente de la Région Poitou-Charentes et Vice-présidente de l’Internationale socialiste. Elle a été députée du département des Deux-Sèvres de 1988 à 2007. Elle a été trois fois ministre : de l'Environnement (1992-1993), de l'Enseignement scolaire (1997-2000), de la Famille, de l'Enfance et des Personnes handicapées (2000-2002). En novembre 2006, elle a été choisie par les militants socialistes pour être la candidate du Parti socialiste à la présidentielle de 2007. Le 22 avril 2007, elle est la première femme à accéder au second tour d'une élection présidentielle en France.

Tout au long de son parcours, Ségolène Royal s'est résolument engagée à rendre son action politique la plus concrète possible. Elle est ainsi à l'origine de réformes emblématiques qui ont marqué l'évolution de la société :

•  la création du plan Handiscol, pour permettre à tous les enfants et adolescents handicapés de suivre une scolarité normale ou adaptée ;

•  la création du congé de paternité qui concilie pour la première fois, de façon concrète, l'égalité homme/femme ;

•  l'instauration de la garde alternée de l'enfant, dans le cadre d'une médiation familiale efficace ;

•  la protection de l'enfance, avec une lutte continue contre toutes les formes de violences.

La liste conduite par Ségolène Royal remporte les élections régionales le 28 mars 2004. Elle est élue présidente de la Région Poitou-Charentes le 2 avril 2004. Depuis, elle a amélioré la gestion de la région, mis l'accent sur la création d'entreprises, soutenu l'emploi notamment des jeunes, insisté sur la formation tout au long de la vie et promu l'exemplarité environnementale.

Elle a été réélue en Mars 2010 pour un second mandat de Présidente de la région Poitou-Charentes avec 61% des voix.

Senén Florensa I Palau

President of the Executive Committee of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed)

Senén Florensa was appointed President of the Executive Committee of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed). He was previously Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Catalonia from 2011 to 2012, Director general of the IEMed from 2006 to 2011, Spanish Ambassador to Tunisia from 2000 to 2004 and General Director of the Instituto de Cooperación con el Mundo Árabe, Mediterráneo y Países en Desarrollo (ICMAMPD) of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 1996 to 2000.

A diplomat and ambassador, he holds a degree in Economic Science (1971) and in Law (1972) from the Universitat de Barcelona. He studied for his doctorate in Economics at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (1973-1974); as a Fullbright scholarship holder at New York University , Ph. D. Program (1974-1976), and at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where he presented his doctoral thesis in 1979.

Diploma in International Studies from the Diplomatic School of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Senén Florensa I Palau

President of the Executive Committee of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed)

Senén Florensa was appointed President of the Executive Committee of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed). He was previously Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Catalonia from 2011 to 2012, Director general of the IEMed from 2006 to 2011, Spanish Ambassador to Tunisia from 2000 to 2004 and General Director of the Instituto de Cooperación con el Mundo Árabe, Mediterráneo y Países en Desarrollo (ICMAMPD) of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 1996 to 2000.

A diplomat and ambassador, he holds a degree in Economic Science (1971) and in Law (1972) from the Universitat de Barcelona. He studied for his doctorate in Economics at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (1973-1974); as a Fullbright scholarship holder at New York University , Ph. D. Program (1974-1976), and at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where he presented his doctoral thesis in 1979.

Diploma in International Studies from the Diplomatic School of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Silvio Caccia Bava

Fondateur de l’Institut Polis

Silvio Caccia Bava  est sociologue, directeur du Monde diplomatique Brasil. Il est également chercheur à l’Institut Pólis de São Paulo et coordinateur d’un réseau mondial sur la participation citoyenne et la gouvernance locale, Logolink.

Silvio Caccia Bava

Fondateur de l’Institut Polis

Silvio Caccia Bava  est sociologue, directeur du Monde diplomatique Brasil. Il est également chercheur à l’Institut Pólis de São Paulo et coordinateur d’un réseau mondial sur la participation citoyenne et la gouvernance locale, Logolink.

Tansel Kaya

District of Fatih, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council representative.

Tansel Kaya represents the district of Fatih, the historical peninsula, at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council.

Born and raised in Fatih, he got his BS degree from Boğaziçi University Computer Engineering Department and MS from Northeastern University College of Computer Science. After working for technology companies such as Flarion, Qualcomm and Intel, he is currently the CEO of Mytourkey. He functions as the chairman of the foreign affairs committee for Fatih and the vice chairman of the same committee for Istanbul.

He speaks Turkish, German and English.

Tansel Kaya

District of Fatih, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council representative.

Tansel Kaya represents the district of Fatih, the historical peninsula, at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council.

Born and raised in Fatih, he got his BS degree from Boğaziçi University Computer Engineering Department and MS from Northeastern University College of Computer Science. After working for technology companies such as Flarion, Qualcomm and Intel, he is currently the CEO of Mytourkey. He functions as the chairman of the foreign affairs committee for Fatih and the vice chairman of the same committee for Istanbul.

He speaks Turkish, German and English.

Tawakkol Karman

Nobel Peace Prize. President of Women Journalists Without Chains ( WJWC)

Tawakkol Karman was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 in recognition of her work in non-violent struggle for the expression rights, safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work in Yemen.

Upon being awarded the prize, Tawakkol became the first Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and the second Muslim woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, as well as the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate to date, at the age of 32. 

Karman is a mother of three as well as a human rights activist, journalist, politician, president of Women Journalists without Chains organization, senior member of the Al-Islah political party.  She is a member of the advisory board for the Transparency International organisation and for several international Human rights NGOs.

Bold and outspoken, Karman has been imprisoned on a number of occasions for her pro-democracy, pro-human rights protests. Amongst Yemen’s Youth movement, she is known as “mother of the revolution”, “the iron woman”, and recently (The lady of the Arab spring)

Tawakkol Karman

Nobel Peace Prize. President of Women Journalists Without Chains ( WJWC)

Tawakkol Karman was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 in recognition of her work in non-violent struggle for the expression rights, safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work in Yemen.

Upon being awarded the prize, Tawakkol became the first Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and the second Muslim woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, as well as the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate to date, at the age of 32. 

Karman is a mother of three as well as a human rights activist, journalist, politician, president of Women Journalists without Chains organization, senior member of the Al-Islah political party.  She is a member of the advisory board for the Transparency International organisation and for several international Human rights NGOs.

Bold and outspoken, Karman has been imprisoned on a number of occasions for her pro-democracy, pro-human rights protests. Amongst Yemen’s Youth movement, she is known as “mother of the revolution”, “the iron woman”, and recently (The lady of the Arab spring)

Ted Ellis

Mayor of Bluffton, United States of America - Treasurer of UCLG

Past President of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Ted Ellis is currently the Elected Treasurer of United Cities and Local Governments. He holds this position since 2008.

Elected Mayor in the City of Bluffton, Indiana in 1995, he was reelected without opposition to successive terms since that date. Cash balances of the city have nearly tripled since his election.

Ted Ellis has served in a professional capacity as a member of the audit staff for the State of Indiana with the charge of auditing the financial records of local governments, and he supervised the conversion and establishment of computerized accounting systems in 60% of Indiana’s counties.

He serves on the governing board of the Ossian State Bank – being chairman of the audit committee of the bank, with direct responsibility for internal audit functions and interaction with federal and state regulatory authorities – as well as on the governing board of Bluffton Regional Medical Center and the board of trustees of the Wells County Foundation, an NGO which evaluates and disburses grants for a variety of purposes.

Ted Ellis holds a degree in economics from Indiana University, and continues to serve on the Advisory Board to the Indiana University (Fort Wayne) School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was recipient of the John J. Mc Cloy Fellowship in Urban Affairs from the American Council on Germany in 2001 to study local government issues.

Ted Ellis

Mayor of Bluffton, United States of America - Treasurer of UCLG

Past President of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Ted Ellis is currently the Elected Treasurer of United Cities and Local Governments. He holds this position since 2008.

Elected Mayor in the City of Bluffton, Indiana in 1995, he was reelected without opposition to successive terms since that date. Cash balances of the city have nearly tripled since his election.

Ted Ellis has served in a professional capacity as a member of the audit staff for the State of Indiana with the charge of auditing the financial records of local governments, and he supervised the conversion and establishment of computerized accounting systems in 60% of Indiana’s counties.

He serves on the governing board of the Ossian State Bank – being chairman of the audit committee of the bank, with direct responsibility for internal audit functions and interaction with federal and state regulatory authorities – as well as on the governing board of Bluffton Regional Medical Center and the board of trustees of the Wells County Foundation, an NGO which evaluates and disburses grants for a variety of purposes.

Ted Ellis holds a degree in economics from Indiana University, and continues to serve on the Advisory Board to the Indiana University (Fort Wayne) School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was recipient of the John J. Mc Cloy Fellowship in Urban Affairs from the American Council on Germany in 2001 to study local government issues.

Thabo Manyoni

Mayor of Mangaung, South Africa, President of South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

Cllr Thabo Manyoni, a political activist and local government practitioner, has worked extensively towards the empowerment of disadvantaged communities through education and training. He made an immense contribution to the post-apartheid South Africa’s first democratic general elections in 1994, responsible for voter education.

Born on 1 January 1960, he holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree; a Diploma in Business Management; a Certificate in Voter Education and successfully completed the University of South Africa’s Executive Development Program.

Currently he is serving as the first Executive Mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State Province, South Africa and also as the Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) since September 2011,

As an elected public representative, in addition to his current responsibilities, Cllr Manyoni held positions such as Chief Whip of the Mangaung Municipality and Member of the Free State Provincial Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State Provincial Government.

Between 1992 and 2006, Cllr Manyoni worked for some of the most influential institutions in our country, including holding positions such as Chief Executive Officer of the Free State Tourism Board, Chief Executive Officer or Municipal Manager of Local Municipality

Maluti a Phofung, Executive Director for Economic Development and Planning and was later appointed as City Manager of Mangaung Local Municipality.

In a party political capacity, he served as Deputy Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) (South Africa’s ruling party) Free State Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) from 2008 - 2012. He also served as Regional Chairperson of the ANC in Motheo Region since 2002.

Recently, Cllr Manyoni has been elected as President of the UCLGA’s SADC Region in December 2012.

Thabo Manyoni

Mayor of Mangaung, South Africa, President of South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

Cllr Thabo Manyoni, a political activist and local government practitioner, has worked extensively towards the empowerment of disadvantaged communities through education and training. He made an immense contribution to the post-apartheid South Africa’s first democratic general elections in 1994, responsible for voter education.

Born on 1 January 1960, he holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree; a Diploma in Business Management; a Certificate in Voter Education and successfully completed the University of South Africa’s Executive Development Program.

Currently he is serving as the first Executive Mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State Province, South Africa and also as the Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) since September 2011,

As an elected public representative, in addition to his current responsibilities, Cllr Manyoni held positions such as Chief Whip of the Mangaung Municipality and Member of the Free State Provincial Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State Provincial Government.

Between 1992 and 2006, Cllr Manyoni worked for some of the most influential institutions in our country, including holding positions such as Chief Executive Officer of the Free State Tourism Board, Chief Executive Officer or Municipal Manager of Local Municipality

Maluti a Phofung, Executive Director for Economic Development and Planning and was later appointed as City Manager of Mangaung Local Municipality.

In a party political capacity, he served as Deputy Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) (South Africa’s ruling party) Free State Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) from 2008 - 2012. He also served as Regional Chairperson of the ANC in Motheo Region since 2002.

Recently, Cllr Manyoni has been elected as President of the UCLGA’s SADC Region in December 2012.

Thierry Mallet

Executive Vice President in charge of Innovation and Business Performance

Thierry Mallet, born 4 September, 1960, is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique (1980), and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (1985) and also holds a Master of Sciences degree from the Massachussetts Institute of Technology.

He began his career working for the French Ministry of Transport between 1987 and 1989, and then moved to the Générale des Eaux Group, where he held various positions, primarily as Head of the water activities in Spain between 1995 and 1997, and in North America between 1997 and 1999. Thierry joined Degrémont as Executive Vice- President in 2002, working closely with Jean-Louis Chaussade, who was the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at that time, before becoming Chief Executive Officer in June 2004, a position that he held until October 2009, when he became Chairman. On 1 October 2009, Thierry Mallet was appointed as Senior Vice President in charge of International Operations.

Since 15 April 2013, Thierry Mallet is Executive Vice President of Innovation and Business Performance for SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.

Thierry Mallet

Executive Vice President in charge of Innovation and Business Performance

Thierry Mallet, born 4 September, 1960, is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique (1980), and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (1985) and also holds a Master of Sciences degree from the Massachussetts Institute of Technology.

He began his career working for the French Ministry of Transport between 1987 and 1989, and then moved to the Générale des Eaux Group, where he held various positions, primarily as Head of the water activities in Spain between 1995 and 1997, and in North America between 1997 and 1999. Thierry joined Degrémont as Executive Vice- President in 2002, working closely with Jean-Louis Chaussade, who was the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at that time, before becoming Chief Executive Officer in June 2004, a position that he held until October 2009, when he became Chairman. On 1 October 2009, Thierry Mallet was appointed as Senior Vice President in charge of International Operations.

Since 15 April 2013, Thierry Mallet is Executive Vice President of Innovation and Business Performance for SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.

Vera George Moussa Baboun

Palestinian politician and the first female mayor of Bethlehem

Vera George Moussa Baboun is a Palestinian politician and the first female mayor of Bethlehem.

She is the chairperson of the Board of Directors for Guidance and Training Centre for Family and Children as well as a gender studies researcher looking at the role of information technology in empowering women in the Arab world.

Bethlehem has a changing demographic, due to an outflux of the Christian population. As mayor, Baboun presides over a city with the highest unemployment in the West Bank. 

Vera George Moussa Baboun

Palestinian politician and the first female mayor of Bethlehem

Vera George Moussa Baboun is a Palestinian politician and the first female mayor of Bethlehem.

She is the chairperson of the Board of Directors for Guidance and Training Centre for Family and Children as well as a gender studies researcher looking at the role of information technology in empowering women in the Arab world.

Bethlehem has a changing demographic, due to an outflux of the Christian population. As mayor, Baboun presides over a city with the highest unemployment in the West Bank. 

William Cobbett

Cities Alliance manager

William (Billy) Cobbett has been Manager of the Cities Alliance since May 2006.  He joined the Cities Alliance in March 2001 from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Nairobi, where he had designed and launched the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure.

Born in South Africa, Billy was overall coordinator of Planact, an urban NGO providing policy and technical support to civic organisations and trades unions. He moved to the African National Congress (ANC) headquarters in 1992, where he was National Coordinator of the Department of Local and Regional Government, and Housing. After the 1994 General Election, he was appointed Director General of the National Department of Housing, reporting to Minister Joe Slovo.  Prior to joining the United Nations, he was Director of Housing for Cape Town.

William Cobbett

Cities Alliance manager

William (Billy) Cobbett has been Manager of the Cities Alliance since May 2006.  He joined the Cities Alliance in March 2001 from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Nairobi, where he had designed and launched the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure.

Born in South Africa, Billy was overall coordinator of Planact, an urban NGO providing policy and technical support to civic organisations and trades unions. He moved to the African National Congress (ANC) headquarters in 1992, where he was National Coordinator of the Department of Local and Regional Government, and Housing. After the 1994 General Election, he was appointed Director General of the National Department of Housing, reporting to Minister Joe Slovo.  Prior to joining the United Nations, he was Director of Housing for Cape Town.

Wolfgang Schuster

President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)

Wolfgang Schüster is Regional Councillor of Stuttgart (Germany), Vice-President of UCLG, former Mayor of Stuttgart (Germany) and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the European Section of UCLG.

Dr. Schüster was the Lord Mayor of Stuttgart from January 1997 until January 2013. The biggest and most high-profile project during his office has been Stuttgart 21 – a major rail project to build a new underground through station for Stuttgart, also encompassing connections to existing surface and underground lines.

Schuster is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award and was voted second most successful Mayor in Germany in a survey by Wirtschaftswoche magazine. In October 2008, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel named Schuster the German member of a 12-strong reflection group called the "Council of Wise Men to Rethink Europe" which is headed by former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.

Wolfgang Schuster

President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)

Wolfgang Schüster is Regional Councillor of Stuttgart (Germany), Vice-President of UCLG, former Mayor of Stuttgart (Germany) and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the European Section of UCLG.

Dr. Schüster was the Lord Mayor of Stuttgart from January 1997 until January 2013. The biggest and most high-profile project during his office has been Stuttgart 21 – a major rail project to build a new underground through station for Stuttgart, also encompassing connections to existing surface and underground lines.

Schuster is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award and was voted second most successful Mayor in Germany in a survey by Wirtschaftswoche magazine. In October 2008, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel named Schuster the German member of a 12-strong reflection group called the "Council of Wise Men to Rethink Europe" which is headed by former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.

Wu Hongbo

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs

Mr. Wu Hongbo was appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs on 1 August 2012. A career diplomat, Mr. Wu had been serving, since 2009, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Germany. His prior diplomatic postings also included New Zealand, and the Philippines where he served as China’s Ambassador.

From 2006 to 2009, he served as Director-General and later Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Mr. Wu graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University and pursued his postgraduate studies at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. He was born in May 1952 in Shandong, China.

Wu Hongbo

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs

Mr. Wu Hongbo was appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs on 1 August 2012. A career diplomat, Mr. Wu had been serving, since 2009, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Germany. His prior diplomatic postings also included New Zealand, and the Philippines where he served as China’s Ambassador.

From 2006 to 2009, he served as Director-General and later Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Mr. Wu graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University and pursued his postgraduate studies at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. He was born in May 1952 in Shandong, China.

Xavier Trias

Alcalde del Ayuntamiento de Barcelona desde 2011. Fue Consejero de Sanidad en 1988 y de Presidencia en 1996.

Licenciado en Medicina y Cirugía por la Universidad de Barcelona, especializado en pediatría. Trabajó en Berna en la investigación de enfermedades metabólicas a partir de su diagnóstico y tratamiento. De 1974 hasta 1987 ejerció de médico en el hospital infantil de la Vall d’Hebron. Fue vocal de hospitales en la Junta del Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Barcelona. En 1981 entró en el Departamento de Sanidad y Seguridad Social. De 1983 a 1984 fue Director General de Ordenación y Planificación Sanitaria Ejerció. En 1984 fue designado Consejero de Sanidad de la Generalitat de Cataluña y posteriormente de la Presidencia.

En 2000 se presentó como candidato de Convergencia i Unió a las elecciones del Congreso de los Diputados, ocupando a lo largo de la legislatura la Presidencia del Grupo Parlamentario catalán y de la Comisión de Ciencia y Tecnología. 

Xavier Trias

Alcalde del Ayuntamiento de Barcelona desde 2011. Fue Consejero de Sanidad en 1988 y de Presidencia en 1996.

Licenciado en Medicina y Cirugía por la Universidad de Barcelona, especializado en pediatría. Trabajó en Berna en la investigación de enfermedades metabólicas a partir de su diagnóstico y tratamiento. De 1974 hasta 1987 ejerció de médico en el hospital infantil de la Vall d’Hebron. Fue vocal de hospitales en la Junta del Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Barcelona. En 1981 entró en el Departamento de Sanidad y Seguridad Social. De 1983 a 1984 fue Director General de Ordenación y Planificación Sanitaria Ejerció. En 1984 fue designado Consejero de Sanidad de la Generalitat de Cataluña y posteriormente de la Presidencia.

En 2000 se presentó como candidato de Convergencia i Unió a las elecciones del Congreso de los Diputados, ocupando a lo largo de la legislatura la Presidencia del Grupo Parlamentario catalán y de la Comisión de Ciencia y Tecnología. 

Yves Cabannes

Professor and Chair of Development Planning at Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London

Yves Cabannes is Professor and Chair of Development Planning at Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London (www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/dpu). From 2004 to 2006 he was lecturer in Urban Planning at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and an economist, planner and urban specialist. From 1997 until December 2003, he was the regional Coordinator of the UN Habitat/UNDP Urban Management Program for Latin America and the Caribbean. He has particular experience and interest in urban agriculture & Food sovereignty, local currencies, participatory planning, municipal public policies, low cost housing, participatory budgeting, community-based micro credit systems and appropriate technologies for local development. He is an advocate on development and rights issues and was the convener for the UN Advisory Group on Forced Evictions (2004 -2010) and the senior advisor to the Municipality of Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the international network on participatory budgeting.

He is currently member of the board of the International RUAF Foundation - Resource Centres for Urban Agriculture and Food Security-, The World Fund for City Development (Metropolis), HuiZhi (Participation Centre, Chengdu China) and the Participatory Budgeting Project (USA).

Yves Cabannes

Professor and Chair of Development Planning at Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London

Yves Cabannes is Professor and Chair of Development Planning at Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London (www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/dpu). From 2004 to 2006 he was lecturer in Urban Planning at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and an economist, planner and urban specialist. From 1997 until December 2003, he was the regional Coordinator of the UN Habitat/UNDP Urban Management Program for Latin America and the Caribbean. He has particular experience and interest in urban agriculture & Food sovereignty, local currencies, participatory planning, municipal public policies, low cost housing, participatory budgeting, community-based micro credit systems and appropriate technologies for local development. He is an advocate on development and rights issues and was the convener for the UN Advisory Group on Forced Evictions (2004 -2010) and the senior advisor to the Municipality of Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the international network on participatory budgeting.

He is currently member of the board of the International RUAF Foundation - Resource Centres for Urban Agriculture and Food Security-, The World Fund for City Development (Metropolis), HuiZhi (Participation Centre, Chengdu China) and the Participatory Budgeting Project (USA).

Zineb El Adaoui

President, Regional Court of Auditors

Since 2004 she is President of the Rabat /Gharb Regional Court of Audit and member of the Human Rights National Council. She is BA in Economics and Business with a specialization degree in Public Finances.  At present Zineb El Adaoui is preparing her doctoral thesis on “The Moroccan Court of Audit: from regularity control to management control. Is it effective?”

She is the first Moroccan woman to be appointed (in 1984) as a judge of accounts, and later Head of Division at the Court of Auditors (1993 to 2004). She has been a magistrate with exceptional grades since 2004.

Ms El Adaoui is a member of the Moroccan Board of the International Women Forum. She was member of the Regionalization Advisory Commission.

Ms. El Adaoui obtained an auditing certificate from a Canadian Audit Services Agency (BSV) and a certificate form Women as Business and Economic Leaders program.

In the field of Economics and Islam, Zineb El Adaoui has been promoting several conversations on safeguarding public funds in the presence of the King Mohamed VI.

Zineb El Adaoui

President, Regional Court of Auditors

Since 2004 she is President of the Rabat /Gharb Regional Court of Audit and member of the Human Rights National Council. She is BA in Economics and Business with a specialization degree in Public Finances.  At present Zineb El Adaoui is preparing her doctoral thesis on “The Moroccan Court of Audit: from regularity control to management control. Is it effective?”

She is the first Moroccan woman to be appointed (in 1984) as a judge of accounts, and later Head of Division at the Court of Auditors (1993 to 2004). She has been a magistrate with exceptional grades since 2004.

Ms El Adaoui is a member of the Moroccan Board of the International Women Forum. She was member of the Regionalization Advisory Commission.

Ms. El Adaoui obtained an auditing certificate from a Canadian Audit Services Agency (BSV) and a certificate form Women as Business and Economic Leaders program.

In the field of Economics and Islam, Zineb El Adaoui has been promoting several conversations on safeguarding public funds in the presence of the King Mohamed VI.

Zoubida Allaoua

Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, Director, Urban and Disaster Risk Management Department (World Bank – Washington, DC)

Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, has over 20 years experience with the World Bank, since she joined in 1988 through the Young Professionals Program. She has since then held various positions as Economist covering  West Africa, India and Pakistan. In 2002, she was appointed Sector Manager, Private and Financial Sector Development for the Middle East and North Africa Region. In May 2009, she was appointed Director for Urban and Disaster Risk Management Department (UDR), which is the global practice leading the Bank's agenda on Sustainable Urbanization, City services, Resilience and Disaster Risk Management.

Zoubida Allaoua

Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, Director, Urban and Disaster Risk Management Department (World Bank – Washington, DC)

Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, has over 20 years experience with the World Bank, since she joined in 1988 through the Young Professionals Program. She has since then held various positions as Economist covering  West Africa, India and Pakistan. In 2002, she was appointed Sector Manager, Private and Financial Sector Development for the Middle East and North Africa Region. In May 2009, she was appointed Director for Urban and Disaster Risk Management Department (UDR), which is the global practice leading the Bank's agenda on Sustainable Urbanization, City services, Resilience and Disaster Risk Management.