The future of Cities matter. Most humans now live in urban areas, but 70% of people are expected to live in cities by 2050. Given that over 70% of carbon emissions come from urban areas, its no exaggeration to say the future wellbeing of the planet is dependant on the future well-being of cities. In October 2016 the UN led process Habitat III culminated with the world committing to the New Urban Agenda for a more resilient, sustainable and just urban future. Urban Shalom Project - a delegation representing 600 million Christians - was part of this process, attended Habitat III in Quito and affirmed these commitments.

We believe Christians have a stake in a common urban future. By focusing our attention on these global commitments in the New Urban Agenda we are convinced Christians can not only join in a common global conversation, but also make a unique contribution. Our 'Call to Urban Action' campaign, companion book 'Urban Shalom and the Cities we Need', multi-city 'Urban Shalom Forums' and a special UN sanctioned 'Urban Thinkers Campus: Faith Communities and the Cities We Need' could help Christians see God’s shalom become realities deep within urban people and places.

Desmond Tutu once said, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Christians are often at the forefront of cures for urban poverty, but we must pay attention to the prevention of urban poverty as well. If we act together, if we have the will, we can take up an invitation to the global table in this conversation. We have our sacred moment in time to go upstream, to shape the future trajectory of cities. The question is, will Christians withdraw or engage the world with our concerns? Coming together as the Urban Shalom Project we can help prevent urban poverty at its source and help build a better, more sustainable, just and inclusive urban world. Please join us.