Sesión 6. La ciudad incluyente: Prioridades y Prácticas

Introduction to the Session

Welcome and Overview

• The session is the sixth thematic meeting of the Colombian Chair on Citizenship, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption, focusing on good governance in cities.

• Special greetings are extended to public entities from across Colombia, social organizations, and participants from Honduras and other Latin American countries.

• Three distinguished guests will present their insights: Professors María Cristina Bayón, Ana María Larrea, and Edilma Suárez. Each will have 25 minutes for their presentations.

Guest Introduction: María Cristina Bayón

Background Information

• Professor María Cristina Bayón holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's in Social Sciences from FLACSO Mexico.

• She is a senior researcher at the Institute of Social Research at UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), where she also teaches graduate courses in political and social sciences.

• Her research focuses on poverty sociology, inequality, stigma sociology, urban fragmentation, and sociability.

Key Themes by María Cristina Bayón

Focus Areas

• The discussion centers around three fundamental themes: spatial justice/injustice, inequality, and urban fragmentation as they relate to inclusive cities.

Understanding Inequality

Dimensions of Inequality

• Increasing recognition in social sciences highlights both spatial and symbolic dimensions' roles in perpetuating inequality.

• Alongside material bases, how we relate to others significantly influences processes that normalize or resist inequality.

Social Inclusion Factors

Importance of Shared Experiences

• A key determinant for social solidarity is shared experiences within institutions like neighborhoods or schools that foster mutual recognition and empathy.

Challenges in Urban Context

Fragmentation Effects

• In contexts with high inequality—especially prevalent in many Latin American cities—shared experiences have weakened due to socio-economic segregation into homogeneous spaces (e.g., residential areas).

Consequences of Urban Segregation

Impact on Sociability

• Urban structures contribute to hierarchical orders that dictate acceptable behaviors based on social class within different city areas.

Conclusion: Hierarchical Structures

Power Dynamics

Urban Fragmentation in Mexico City

Urban Structure and Social Dynamics

• The urban landscape of Mexico City, with over 20 million inhabitants, is characterized by spatial structures that influence societal perceptions and common sense.

• The city features stark contrasts between modern commercial areas and affluent neighborhoods versus extensive impoverished peripheries marked by poor infrastructure and limited green spaces.

• In the eastern parts of the city, where over 10 million people reside, there are significant indicators of poverty and social vulnerability compared to wealthier areas in the northwest.

• The argument presented highlights how disadvantaged classes experience a different urban reality than privileged ones, leading to fragmented urban experiences within the same city.

• This fragmentation results in diverse social worlds coexisting but lacking shared experiences necessary for solidarity and empathy among citizens.

Sociability and Urban Experience

• Urban experiences are shaped by sociability dominated by distrust, stigma, and fear; interactions between rich and poor do not reflect equality in public spaces.

• The coexistence of various urban realities often leads to physical separation based on class distinctions, affecting mobility patterns and residential choices.

• Social distance manifests through cultural repertoires that dictate which spaces are deemed appropriate or off-limits for certain groups.

• Territorial stigmas serve as tools for constructing 'the other,' reinforcing segregation through negative perceptions associated with poverty-stricken areas.

Media Representation and Structural Factors

• Imagined geographies of poverty create symbolic boundaries that reinforce negative stereotypes about marginalized populations from positions of power.

• These representations contribute to social exclusion by dictating acceptable behavior in public spaces based on socioeconomic status or appearance.

• Research indicates that media portrayals simplify complex realities into narratives that associate poverty with moral failings while ignoring structural factors influencing living conditions.

Understanding Urban Inequality and Social Justice

The Production of Space and Injustice

• The concept of injustice is produced both socially and spatially, highlighting how social production of space involves power asymmetries that create and perpetuate various forms of justice.

• Urban inequality manifests through unequal access to the city, influenced by factors such as residence location, housing type, infrastructure quality, and urban services.

• Different social classes experience the city in distinct ways; symbolic burdens related to their living conditions affect their mobility and freedom within urban spaces.

Class, Identity, and Urban Experience

• Urban experiences are shaped not only by class but also by identity markers like physical appearance, which influence how individuals navigate the city.

• Material and spatial dimensions significantly impact urban experiences; symbolic power constructs certain legitimized identities while marginalizing others through stigmatization.

Stigmatization of Youth in Urban Spaces

• Extensive literature indicates that stigmatization disproportionately affects young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds in Latin America and other regions.

• Young individuals from marginalized urban areas often face criminalization; they are viewed with suspicion in public spaces leading to negative interactions with authorities.

Barriers to Opportunity for Marginalized Youth

• Youth from disadvantaged neighborhoods encounter tangible barriers that limit access to opportunities within the city, creating a geography of injustice.

• These barriers include poor infrastructure, insecurity, transportation issues, police harassment, and discrimination that hinder social connections beyond their neighborhoods.

Misconceptions about Youth Behavior

• While some youth may engage in delinquent activities, it is crucial not to generalize or demonize all young people from lower socio-economic sectors based on these actions.

Understanding Structural Factors of Urban Disadvantage

The Importance of Identifying Structural Causes

• The discussion emphasizes the need to investigate and clarify structural factors that generate urban disadvantage, rather than merely focusing on their effects. This includes understanding why lower-income populations face service deficiencies and greater distances from essential amenities.

• It is highlighted that diagnosing the root causes of disadvantage concentration shapes policy responses. Distinguishing between addressing the concentration itself versus its effects is crucial for effective intervention.

Dimensions of Urban Disadvantage

• Various structural dimensions contributing to urban disadvantage are identified, including educational segmentation, school dynamics in marginalized neighborhoods, labor precariousness, low wages, and unequal public service provision across city areas.

• Territorial stigmatization and police control are also noted as significant elements that must be considered when envisioning a more equitable city.

Social Identity and Stigmatization

• The analysis reveals how social class and territorial stigmatization serve as powerful tools in constructing identities that reinforce spatial injustice within fragmented cities.

• Experiences outside one's neighborhood significantly impact personal identity and self-perception, leading individuals to constantly resist negative stereotypes associated with their locality.

Youth Perceptions in Marginalized Areas

• Young people from peripheral areas often face homogenizing labels that erase their diverse experiences. They are frequently depicted negatively in public discourse as dangerous or delinquent.

• This territorial stigma categorizes these youths into a socially invalidated group, resulting in both material exclusion and symbolic marginalization as they navigate urban spaces.

Barriers to Mobility and Inclusion

• Spatial injustice manifests not only through inadequate local services but also through systemic barriers faced by individuals commuting for education or work. These barriers perpetuate an urban order that hierarchizes social groups based on race and class.

• Such stigmas undermine respect, solidarity, and empathy among communities, highlighting the urgent need for fostering coexistence grounded in social justice principles alongside resource redistribution.

Towards Inclusive Policies

• A call is made for policies aimed at combating both socioeconomic injustices and relational injustices. Recognizing marginalized groups as full participants in societal dialogue is essential for genuine inclusion.

• Effective solutions require real resource redistribution to bridge both material gaps and recognition disparities among different social groups within urban settings.

Reflections on Urban Justice

• The speaker reflects on how similar patterns of exclusion can be observed across various Latin American cities like Mexico City, Bogotá, Quito, Buenos Aires, etc., emphasizing the universal nature of these issues regarding urban justice.

Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales: Insights on Urban Planning

Professional Background and Contributions

• The speaker highlights their extensive professional experience in planning, development, and state transformation, including roles such as the presidency of the Population and Development Conference at CEPAL.

• Their research focuses on various critical areas like social exclusion, public policies, education, gender issues, democracy, poverty, local development, and indigenous communities in South America.

Importance of Inclusive Urban Governance

• The speaker expresses gratitude for being part of a panel with esteemed colleagues and emphasizes the relevance of discussing urban governance.

• They introduce the topic of inclusive city-building and reference María Cristina's theoretical overview on spatial justice and symbolic relational injustices.

Exploring Spatial Inequalities

• A detailed analysis is presented regarding spatial inequalities related to class distinctions within urban settings.

• The focus shifts to symbolic relational inequalities concerning gender dynamics in urban experiences.

Gender Perspectives in Urban Planning

• The speaker stresses that cities have historically been designed from a male perspective, leading to the exclusion of women and gender minorities from urban processes.

• They highlight how class-based disparities are more visible but often overshadow issues faced by women and sexual diversity in urban environments.

Addressing Urban Planning Inequities

• Emphasizing historical biases in city planning against women and gender minorities is crucial for developing inclusive policies.

• Recognizing these inequalities is essential for creating an inclusive urban policy framework that addresses diverse needs.

Key Areas for Change in Urban Planning

• The speaker outlines several critical points:

• Need for a shift in general perceptions about urban planning.

• Addressing mobility issues while considering gender diversity.

• Designing safe public spaces free from violence for all genders.

Access to Housing as a Fundamental Issue

• Access to housing and land ownership intersects with class-based injustices while also relating closely to gender issues.

Rethinking Urban Spaces

• A fundamental question arises: How can we create safe spaces accessible to everyone regardless of gender?

Shifting Perspectives on City Planning

• There’s a call for changing traditional views that see cities through a homogenized lens focused on privileged demographics (e.g., heterosexual white males).

Inclusion in Decision-Making Processes

• To foster inclusivity within urban planning processes, it’s vital to involve women, children, sexual minorities across all ages and abilities during decision-making stages.

Gender Inequality in Urban Spaces

The Impact of Gender Imbalances on Urban Inclusion

• Discusses how gender imbalances in urban environments hinder full socioeconomic inclusion, necessitating a fundamental shift in thinking and perceptions.

• Highlights the existence of spaces that are inaccessible to women and specific areas designated solely for men, emphasizing the need to make these injustices visible for effective urban planning.

Mobility Issues and Gender Discrimination

• Introduces mobility as a critical area where fragmentation and discrimination against women and sexual diversities are evident; stresses the importance of designing transportation systems that address gender needs.

• Shares alarming statistics from the World Bank (2016), indicating that in 17 countries, married women face travel restrictions compared to their male counterparts.

• Reports that 20% of transgender individuals in the U.S. avoid public transport due to fear of harassment; highlights similar fears among LGBTQ+ individuals across Europe regarding public spaces.

Economic Repercussions of Mobility Limitations

• Explains how mobility restrictions significantly impact women's economic status, educational access, and employment opportunities; cites studies showing women often choose lower-quality universities due to unsafe travel routes.

• Notes that between 40% and 60% of women in Middle Eastern and North African countries report experiencing street harassment, with significant implications for their mobility.

Safety Concerns in Urban Planning

• In Mexico City, half of women have experienced harassment on public transport; three out of four do not feel safe traveling within the city.

• Cites Sri Lanka's statistic where 90% of women report experiencing sexual harassment on public transport; emphasizes the urgent need for safer transportation solutions.

Addressing Violence Against Women in Public Spaces

• Stresses the necessity for urban policies aimed at creating safe environments for all genders while preventing gender-based violence.

• Discusses how power dynamics manifest through social divisions between public and private spaces, leading to increased police violence against marginalized groups.

Designing Safer Urban Environments

• Advocates for urban design considerations such as improved lighting to enhance safety against gender-based violence in public areas.

Understanding Hate Crimes and Gender Discrimination

The Prevalence of Hate Crimes Against LGBTQ+ Individuals

• Sexual orientation consistently ranks as the third motivation for hate crimes globally, with a study indicating that 90% of lesbians in Quito, Ecuador have faced harassment in their neighborhoods due to their sexual orientation.

• In Europe, 23% of non-heterosexual women have experienced sexual and physical violence from individuals who are not their partners, compared to only 5% of heterosexual women.

Public Spaces and Safety Concerns

• A World Bank study from 2018 reveals that transgender individuals are twice as likely to face harassment in public spaces.

• Violence against transgender people in public institutions is significant; studies show that 85% of transgender women in eight Latin American countries reported gender-based violence in educational settings.

Urban Planning and Inclusivity

• There is a pressing need to create inclusive urban spaces that cater to diverse sexual orientations and genders while ensuring non-discriminatory public services.

• Limited access to public spaces restricts opportunities for healthy lifestyles, particularly affecting women and those with disabilities who bear the brunt of inadequate urban infrastructure.

Health Disparities Linked to Urban Design

• Women and sexual minorities often face barriers accessing parks and recreational areas, which correlates with higher rates of chronic diseases and obesity.

• Cultural constructs dictate who can inhabit certain public spaces; one-third of adult women do not engage in sufficient physical activity compared to one-fifth of men.

Social Isolation Among Vulnerable Groups

• Lack of mobility contributes significantly to social isolation among older adults, people with disabilities, and sexual minorities, leading to increased health issues.

• Living conditions greatly affect mental well-being; informal settlements exhibit higher rates of common mental disorders than rural areas.

Access to Basic Services: A Gendered Perspective

• Globally, 26% lack access to basic sanitation services; this disproportionately affects women and girls who are primarily responsible for water collection.

• Statistics reveal that 32% of adult women do not engage in enough physical activity compared to 23% of men. Poor sanitation costs nearly 1% of global GDP.

Housing Rights and Gender Inequality

• Women worldwide face unequal property rights compared to men; land ownership often reflects male power dynamics leading to exploitation.

• Limited land rights hinder women's ability to access services or generate income effectively.

Conclusion: Towards Inclusive Urban Development

Urban Development and Gender Equality

Strategic Planning for Urban Projects

• Emphasizes the need to utilize underused resources for developing housing, cultural, sports, and social projects through participatory strategic planning processes.

• Highlights the importance of designing urban spaces that promote collective responsibility in care tasks, indicating this as an imperative for city development.

Addressing Gender Inequality

• Advocates for public policies that promote women's rights and visibility of gender inequalities, aiming to challenge naturalized power relations from a gender perspective.

• Acknowledges the severe circumstances women face in cities, which expose them to insecurity; stresses that addressing these issues is central to creating inclusive urban environments.

Insights on Youth Challenges

• Introduces a discussion on youth-related issues following presentations by other speakers, particularly reflecting on experiences in Colombia.

Introduction of Professor Dilma

• Presents Professor Dilma's credentials: a nurse with a PhD in social sciences and extensive experience in health administration and social movements.

• Details her roles including past director of integration social at Bogotá’s mayoralty and current president of the National Nursing Technical Council.

Gender Perspective in Health Workforce Planning

• Discusses her recent role as director of human talent development in health at the Ministry, focusing on workforce planning based on epidemiological profiles.

• Addresses historical inequalities within Colombia's conservative society regarding healthcare professionals' distribution and emphasizes the need for gender perspectives in workforce planning.

Cultural Context of Inequalities

• Explains how cultural factors contribute to societal inequalities; reflects on personal experiences navigating bureaucratic barriers while advocating for labor dignity among health workers.

• Shares insights into governance responsibilities aimed at reducing inequities faced by women working in healthcare sectors.

Obstacles Faced by Women Workers

• Describes challenges encountered when attempting to formalize employment conditions for approximately 80% female workers in health services amidst existing bureaucratic hurdles.

Historical Context of Education in Colombia

The Role of Religious Communities in Education

• The speaker discusses the historical context of education in Colombia, highlighting that during the 1940s, Europe expelled religious communities, leading to Colombia receiving 40 religious groups responsible for primary and secondary education.

• A concordat signed by Colombia at the beginning of the last century granted the Catholic Church supreme oversight over educational content in primary and secondary schools.

Gendered Educational Systems

• The education system was divided by gender, imposing a moralistic and patriarchal pedagogy that legitimized inequalities between men and women.

• Elite women were educated for traditional roles as mothers and homemakers, while poor women received training for domestic work or agriculture.

Cultural Norms and Stereotypes

• Education contributed to cultural behaviors that normalized stereotypes about gender roles, emphasizing moral values where women were expected to be virtuous, modest, and nurturing.

• Institutional discourses reinforced these values through teachings on how women should behave—being obedient and submissive within both family structures and professional settings.

Technocracy vs. Inequality

• The discussion shifts towards technocracy's role in addressing social inequities; it is noted that women's access to higher education was limited to fields deemed suitable for their capabilities.

• Consuelo Humada's critique highlights that despite technocratic governance promising macroeconomic stability, it has failed to ensure well-being for all Colombians due to income concentration issues.

Conclusion on Societal Conservatism

The Impact of Neoliberal Policies on Governance and Social Equity in Colombia

Historical Context and the Role of the State

• Discussion begins with a reference to the Washington Consensus, highlighting its emphasis on macroeconomic stability and the reduction of state involvement.

• Observations from public service indicate that reducing state size leads to diminished governance capabilities, particularly in addressing sector-specific issues.

• A call for an inclusive society is made, emphasizing equitable access to goods and services as well as guaranteed human rights.

Concerns About Constitutional Effectiveness

• Raises concerns about whether Colombia's Constitution has effectively safeguarded human rights over the past 30 years.

• Critique of technocrats educated in prestigious U.S. universities who influence government policies, shaping societal behaviors over three decades.

Technocracy's Influence on Health Policy

• Highlights how technocrats occupy key governmental roles (e.g., Ministry of Finance, National Planning Department), impacting health policy formulation.

• Describes conflicts faced by health ministry teams when proposing preventive health models against established neoliberal frameworks.

Challenges within the Healthcare System

• Criticism directed at technocratic resistance to changes aimed at ensuring rights within healthcare systems; claims that such changes are deemed unscientific.

• Example provided regarding former Minister Alejandro Gaviria’s actions that led to a crisis in Colombia's healthcare system due to relaxed regulations for health providers.

Consequences of Neoliberalism on Society

• Argues that neoliberal policies have entrenched injustices and hindered progress towards an inclusive society over 30 years.

• Discusses how risk management strategies under neoliberalism focus on managing poverty rather than eliminating it, leading to precarious labor conditions.

Current State of Healthcare Access

• Notes that despite high profitability reported by EPS (healthcare providers), many Colombians lack access to essential medical services.

Discussion on Inequities and Technocracy in Colombia

Normalization of Inequities

• The speaker discusses a sense of lethargy and anesthesia towards social inequities, suggesting that these issues have become normalized in society.

• A personal anecdote from Ciudad Bolívar illustrates the normalization of violence, where community members report injuries or deaths as routine occurrences.

Challenges in Labor Formalization

• The speaker highlights efforts to formalize labor for health sector workers but faces bureaucratic obstacles from various government entities.

• Attempts to push for labor formalization are met with resistance from the Ministry of Health, which claims it lacks jurisdiction over labor matters.

Accountability Issues

• The speaker criticizes the lack of accountability among control entities, stating they are complicit in perpetuating inequities by failing to enforce laws regarding worker rights.

• During a congressional debate, the speaker points out that despite numerous circulars issued by various ministries, there has been no significant enforcement against violations of labor rights.

Critique of Technocracy

• The discussion shifts to technocracy's role in exacerbating social issues; it is portrayed as ideologically driven rather than apolitical.

• The neoliberal logic within technocracy is seen as an obstacle to guaranteeing rights and fostering an inclusive society.

Education and Market Dynamics

• There is concern about the oversaturation of medical schools in Colombia (63 faculties), leading to financial instability among private universities while neglecting public education needs.

• The emphasis on free market principles complicates educational equity, with calls for more public institutions that do not burden students financially.

Conclusion and Call for Reflection

• A call is made to critically examine deeply conservative societal structures and the role of technocracy in hindering rights guarantees.

The Need for Gender Perspective in Urban Planning

Importance of Gender Perspective

• Ana María emphasizes the urgent need for a gender perspective to create more inclusive cities and advocates for participatory planning.

• Research focuses on urban experiences, particularly with transgender youth, highlighting their mobility challenges and the necessity of safe spaces.

Challenges Faced by Transgender Individuals

• Discusses how hegemonic patriarchal norms restrict not only mobility but also educational and employment opportunities for transgender individuals.

• Young transgender people report negative experiences in healthcare services outside specialized facilities, affecting their access to essential services.

Intersectionality in Urban Spaces

• Calls for an intersectional approach considering gender, class, residence, ethnicity, and skin color as layers of discrimination that hinder access to opportunities.

• Highlights the impact of these restrictions on education and health services due to fear or inability to travel safely.

Creating Safe Public Spaces

• Stresses the importance of designing safe public spaces that everyone can inhabit freely, moving away from exclusivity towards inclusivity.

Integrating Justice into Urban Development

Redistributive Justice vs. Recognition Justice

• Emphasizes the need to address both redistributive justice and recognition justice in urban development discussions.

• Argues that city construction involves not just physical materials but also symbolic aspects shaped by diverse urban experiences.

Addressing Violence in Urban Areas

• Notes increasing violence leading people to retreat into private spaces rather than engaging with public areas; this is especially true for women and sexual minorities.

Rethinking Public Space Engagement

Policy Recommendations

• Advocates for policies encouraging active engagement with public spaces as a means to combat violence and promote inclusivity.

Role of Public Officials

• Highlights the necessity of changing mindsets among public officials who often operate within a technocratic framework that hinders societal transformation.

Empowering Society Beyond Gender Inequities

Collective Empowerment

• Questions what actions are needed beyond merely empowering women; stresses the importance of educating society as a whole about historical inequities.

Continuous Discussion on Inequities

Understanding Community Participation in Policy Making

The Role of Empowerment in Political Participation

• Emphasizes the importance of an empowered society that understands both its rights and the rights of others to advance political participation.

• References a seminar discussing how technocrats often create policies from a distance, lacking input from affected communities.

• Critiques the detachment of technocrats who overlook community needs while formulating solutions without local involvement.

Barriers to Effective Community Engagement

• Identifies a significant barrier as the fear surrounding community participation, which prevents individuals from voicing their opinions and contributing to policy development.

• Discusses how this fear manifests in technocrats' reluctance to engage with communities, leading to superficial forms of participation that do not empower citizens.

Resource Constraints and Their Impact

• Highlights resource scarcity as another barrier; when communities participate, they demand resources, which can deter technocrats from inviting them into discussions.

• Shares an example where extensive public input was gathered for health policy but notes that underlying fears about participation persist.

Importance of Genuine Listening and Methodologies

• Stresses the need for political will to genuinely listen to diverse community voices rather than using participatory methods merely for legitimization.

• Advocates for developing participatory methodologies that truly reflect community needs and proposals instead of just confirming pre-existing decisions.

Building Ownership and Empathy within Communities

• Argues that effective engagement allows citizens to feel ownership over their city, fostering empathy and solidarity among residents.

• Points out the necessity for stronger regulations (enforcement mechanisms) that ensure community voices lead to binding decisions rather than being mere formalities.

Ensuring Accountability in Participation

• Underlines that listening must translate into actionable outcomes; otherwise, it risks becoming a token gesture without real impact on decision-making processes.

Participation in the Ecuadorian Constitutional Process

The Importance of Participation in the 2008 Constituent Assembly

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of participation during Ecuador's 2008 Constituent Assembly, highlighting its highly participatory nature and the location in Monte Cristi, a small coastal town.

• A large number of citizens actively engaged in presenting their proposals at the assembly, showcasing a rich participatory process that aimed to embed legal obligations for public participation in the new constitution.

Challenges Faced Post-Constitution

• Despite establishing mandatory participation for public institutions, there is criticism regarding how these processes have become mere formalities rather than genuine engagement.

• The speaker reflects on how prior to strict regulations, participation was more vibrant and authentic due to political will from authorities; now it feels like a "monster" created by over-regulation.

Instrumentalization of Participation

• Current practices often reduce participation to superficial acts (e.g., social media posts), failing to foster real dialogue and understanding among participants.

• There is a call for leveraging modern communication tools to create truly participative politics instead of relying solely on rigid norms.

Role of Social Organizations and Bureaucrats

• Strong social organizations with proactive capabilities are essential for meaningful participation; without them, bureaucratic processes risk becoming merely instrumentalized.

• The speaker poses a question about universities' roles in strengthening civil society organizations and addressing existing gaps.

Universities' Responsibilities in Society

• Universities are seen as crucial players but are increasingly distancing themselves from social needs and governmental processes, focusing instead on private knowledge production.

• Local universities should engage more with community needs rather than seeking recognition through prestigious publications or external consultancies.

Enhancing Local Capacities Through Academia

• There is frustration over local governments needing support for development plans but finding little assistance from nearby academic institutions that lack relevant expertise or interest.

• Emphasizing local capacity building is vital; universities must prioritize relevance and connection with societal needs over academic prestige.

Fostering Respectful Dialogue Among Students

• Initiatives should be taken within universities to encourage student participation across disciplines, promoting respect for diverse opinions even when disagreements arise.

• Education should cultivate spaces where differing ideas can coexist, aligning with Chantal Mouffe's concepts of 'the political' versus 'politics,' fostering an environment conducive to dialogue.

Understanding Participation in Colombia

The Nature of Participation

• In Colombia, participation is often viewed as subversive, leading to a stigma around engaging in social issues.

• There is a need for universities to collaborate with local communities to address their specific needs and problems through research and student involvement.

University Responsibility

• Universities must take on greater social responsibility, moving beyond the focus on publishing articles in indexed journals.

• The relationship between academia and society should be shaped by policy rather than being dictated by who can participate in projects.

Listening and Understanding Needs

• Emphasizing the importance of listening to community needs as a critical aspect of effective participation.

• The neoliberal model has fostered individualism within academia, detracting from collective social commitment.

Self-Critique in Academia

• A call for deep self-reflection within academic institutions regarding their role and impact on societal issues.

• Concerns about universities becoming mere consultancies instead of fostering genuine community engagement.

Conclusion and Future Discussions

• Acknowledgment of the rich discussions held during the session, highlighting strategies for creating inclusive cities.