Session Summary

This session portrayed human well-being and social cohesion as vital aspects of adaptive societies, and as crucial capacities in times of instability. In MENA, the social contract has been frayed by shocks and stresses, heightening the need to include social vulnerability as a factor in resilience planning. In addition to natural disasters, MENA cities suffer poor economies, conflict, crime, violence and large scale displacement of people, all of which exacerbate vulnerability. Such stresses profoundly affect human development and well-being. Participants heard from the Strong Cities Network (SCN) about the Strong Cities Initiative, a global framework for building community resilience to violent extremism, operating between cities and municipalities globally. In 2016, the SCN launched six Community Prevention Networks across Lebanon and Jordan to cultivate trust between youth and municipalities.

Other presenters spoke about the specific needs of children and women, and the challenges posed by the influx of refugees into under-prepared cities.

"We want to make sure we are causing a change in our communities through grassroots, community projects, and to ensuring that the voice of each and every youth is communicated and heard.”

- Ms. Cynthia Bakkalian, World Bank Youth Advisory Group, Lebanon