New Cities Foundation

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- Ford Foundation is first philanthropic institution to join the New Cities Foundation - Ford and NCF to jointly work on New Cities Summit session on urban social justice issues New York, USA – Thursday 16 February, 2012 – The New Cities Foundation, a global platform for innovation and exchange on the future of urbanization, announced yesterday that the Ford Foundation, one of the world’s largest philanthropic funders working on urban issues, has joined its rapidly growing membership network. Ford is the first philanthropic organization to become an NCF member. The announcement marks the latest in a series of important global partnerships NCF has recently signed with institutions such as the University of California Center for Information Technology in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Urban China Initiative, both of whom joined the Foundation in January. NCF’s worldwide membership base includes GE, Cisco, Ericsson, Orange, GDF Suez, the Galeries Lafayette Groupe, the Climate Group, and USC’s Annenberg Innovation Lab – among others. The theme of the upcoming New Cities Summit, which will be held in Paris from 14-16 May, is Thinking Ahead, Building Together. Building on a recognized track record in organizing high-level global forums, the Summit aims to be the leading annual global forum on 21st century urbanization. This forum will bring together global thought leaders in technology, infrastructure, architecture, energy, transport, national and local government, the media, academia and the non-profit sector from all regions of the world. Content rich, innovative keynotes and specialist panels, full of concrete examples of emerging best practices, will help place the city on the global agenda. The Ford Foundation is one of the world’s leading philanthropies. It supports visionary leaders and organizations on the frontlines of social change. Established in 1936, the Ford Foundation sponsors programs that strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement through its grant-making activities in all 50 states and over 50 countries worldwide. George McCarthy, Director of Ford’s Metropolitan Opportunity Program, commented, “With over half of the world’s population now living in urban areas, cities are our future. By working together to build just cities—shaped by fairness, sustainability and shared prosperity—we believe that urbanization can be a positive force in the lives of billions of the world’s residents. Meeting that challenge demands fresh thinking, new global partnerships, and frank discussion, and that is precisely why we are so pleased to support the New Cities Foundation and its New Cities Summit.” “The Ford Foundation enriches our community tremendously. As one of the foremost organizations championing creative programs that are aimed at building prosperous and equitable metropolises in the US and globally, the Ford Foundation is paving the way in partnering with diverse sectors to advance the vision of sustainable, dynamic urban communities,” said NCF Executive Director, Mathieu Lefevre. “We are delighted to welcome Ford to NCF and we look forward to working towards our common goals.” Background on Ford Foundation activities: Ford’s Metropolitan Opportunity Program focuses on providing equitable access to safe, affordable housing, efficient transportation, and good jobs in cities across the United States. The three main initiatives under this Program are Connecting People to Opportunity, Expanding Access to Affordable Housing, and Promoting Metropolitan Land-Use Innovation through 143 grants totaling US $62,815,320. More broadly, the Ford Foundation works in three program areas that encompass eight significant social justice issues. In the Economic Opportunity and Assets program, the Foundation focuses on helping people build individual and shared assets to reduce poverty and build economic security. Under the Democracy, Rights and Justice program Ford supports efforts to build more democratic and accountable governments. Finally, in Education, Creativity and Free Expression, the Foundation promotes more equitable education and greater voice and expression through scholarship programs. About the New Cities Foundation: The New Cities Foundation is a Swiss non-profit institution which aims to be the premier high-level platform for innovation and exchange on the future of urbanization. NCF believes the unprecedented rate of urban growth that defines the 21st century represents a unique set of challenges as well as a chance to build more sustainable, vibrant, innovative and equitable communities in the developed and the emerging world. Kaj Embrén, Sustainable Business Coach, +46-70-398 22 11, kaj@embren.com.