In February 2013, the City of Dublin will proudly host the 8th Forum of the World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (WACAP), a worldwide network of some 900 cities established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work together to address urban challenges and crises in a collective and collaborative manner.

The Dublin Forum and Expo will take place over two days, 20-21 February 2013 in the RDS, Dublin. The Forum will explore the role of technology in alleviating the symptoms of poverty in cities of the global South and North and specifically in Making Cities Smart, Safe and Sustainable. The Forum and Expo aims to attract up to 1,000 international delegates including city Mayors, experts at the forefront of the technology sector, development NGOs, urban planners and anti-poverty groups and academics. Confirmed keynote addresses will be given by Michelle Bachelet (Executive Director, UN Women), Mary Robinson (Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice) and Tom Arnold (Concern Worldwide).

Global Stories will form an integral part of the Forum. A Global Story constitutes any action that has been undertaken on a local, regional or global scale that illustrate how an organisation has used technology in the urban setting to tackle issues of poverty, safety and sustainability. These Global Stories (case studies) will allow planners, amongst others, to showcase products, programmes, projects, policies and partnerships which demonstrate the role of technology in responding to the urban challenges of poverty, safety and sustainability. Once submitted, the Global Story will be published on the Forum’s website. The Forum will also feature an Expo, which will provide space for businesses, regions, universities, NGOs and others to display and explain their products and projects. A further key feature of the event is the matching of real challenges to real solutions. This exchange mechanism will begin in advance of the Forum via a dedicated website where urban decision makers and NGOs can outline specific needs or challenges to technology experts and other cities who can respond with advice, suggestions and pledges of support.

Please find out more about exhibiting, sponsoring, attending or submitting a global story by logging onto www.dublin2013.com.