Ideas and policies are as good as their implementation. There may not be a policy sphere where this is truer than in the cities' pursuits of inclusive urban futures.
The poly-crisis the world has been exposed to since 2020 has exacerbated inequalities across people and places, especially in large cities, where vulnerable groups such as migrants, the poor, women, and the elderly, among other population groups, were hit hard.
As a response to the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the OECD launched the Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative as early as March 2016. In 2023, Champion Mayors is a coalition of 59 mayors committed to tackling inequalities and promoting more inclusive economic growth in cities.
The INCLUSIVE URBAN FUTURES had the honour to interview Ms. Sena Segbedzi, Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Coordinator, who manages the OECD's global coalition of mayors committed to advancing inclusive growth in cities, creates a platform for global mayors to share lessons and good practices implementing economic and social policies to reduce inequalities through research and policy guidance on equitable development of cities.
Join us as we discover Sena's global take on inclusion through her work and global presence.
More about Sena Segbedzi
Sena Segbedzi coordinates the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative, a global coalition of mayors, where she provides evidence-based policy advice and guidance to local leaders on how to use social and economic policies to reduce inequality and spur growth, develop the strategic direction and manage a team of analysts working on place-based solutions to advance inclusive growth in cities.
In addition, Ms. Segbedzi leads the OECD's work on public sector innovation in city government, maps why cities innovate, what helps cities to innovate successfully, and resident outcomes in cities that are making these investments.
Prior to the OECD, Ms. Segbedzi worked at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy to promote fiscally healthy and inclusive cities through land-based finance. She has held several positions of increasing responsibility within Ford Foundation's Economic Opportunity and Assets portfolio, including programme manager for the Foundation's work on the economic recovery and equitable development of Detroit (US).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sena-segbedzi-5a1b1310/
More about the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative
Across the world, local leaders are taking a stand against rising inequalities. Through innovations in health care delivery, to living wage campaigns, from the issuance of official identification cards for all city residents to facilitate access to public services to mobile apps to improve urban mobility for people with disabilities – mayors and local governments are advancing policies and programmes that boost equity and economic growth. As a response to the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the OECD launched the Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative in March 2016. Champion Mayors form a coalition of willing leaders who have committed to tackling inequalities and promoting more inclusive economic growth in cities.
Discover the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative: http://www.oecd-inclusive.com/champion-mayors/about/
Learn more about the OECDs Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities: https://www.oecd.org/cfe/
Find our Host and Executive Producer, Dr Orna Rosenfeld at: https://www.ornarosenfeld.com/