International Visitor to Lecture on Green Economy

Media release
2 May 2011

International Visitor to Lecture on Challenges, Opportunities of Green Economy

A senior member of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, will deliver a public lecture at The University of Auckland on the challenges and opportunities of a green economy.

The University of Auckland became a Habitat Partner University (HPU) in June 2009. The initiative aims to strengthen ties between the UN and tertiary institutions around the world and build the teaching and research capacity of tertiary institutions in the field of sustainable urban development. As one of approximately 20 universities involved, The University of Auckland is fully engaged in developing the shape of the HPU programme.

Dr Gulelat Kebede heads UN-HABITAT's Training and Capacity Building Branch. During his month-long visit to New Zealand, Dr Kebede will participate in the opening of a multi-cultural art installation; lead seminars on urban sustainability, planning and development across the University; and meet representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ministry for the Environment.

Dr Kebede’s public lecture, “Green Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Urban Development”, will highlight the notion of “decoupling” economic growth from the rate of use of energy and materials in the context of cities. It will argue that increasing energy prices and competition for dwindling natural resources pose serious challenges to the western economic growth model, based on relatively cheap oil and natural resources. Dr Kebede says the climate change debate has awakened citizens and governments to these new challenges, but also heightened awareness of the opportunities to move to low carbon economic growth models. He says the concept of green economy thus gives sustainable development a new impetus and urgency, thanks to the realities of the urbanising 21st century. He raises the key questions and challenges faced by cities in developing countries who want to transit to green economy, while eradicating poverty. Dr Kebede will highlight urban
growth pattern strategies which UN-HABITAT advocates to promote the principles and ideals of green economy.

“Gulelat Kebede’s visit to The University of Auckland is highly significant in that he will be engaging with staff and students across the University to develop tangible ideas for collaborative research projects to tackle the big urban issues. I believe it’s a first of its kind for the University,” says Dory Reeves, Professor of Planning and University focal point for the UN-HABITAT visit.

UN-HABITAT is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

Gulelat Kebede will deliver “Green Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Urban Development” at 6pm, Monday 9 May, in the Fisher and Paykel auditorium at The University‘s Owen G Glenn Business School (12 Grafton Road).

ENDS

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