Urban Shalom Project 2.93

Most of the world now lives in urban areas, with 70% 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 of the planet depends on the future 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. As a delegation representing 600 million Christians, Urban Shalom Project was part of this process, attended Habitat III and affirmed these commitments.

We believe Christians have a stake in a common urban future. By focusing our attention on these global commitments we are convinced Christians can join in a common global conversation and 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 in our 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.” We have an invitation and a moment in time to go upstream: The question is, will Christians withdraw or engage? Coming together as the Urban Shalom Project we are convinced we can stop urban poverty at its source and help build a better, more sustainable, just and inclusive urban world.

Co-lead by ISUM-Micah Global and the Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network, the Urban Shalom Project is dedicated to helping the evangelical community engage with urban issues, and especially to be involved in the global dialogue on urbanism being convened by the United Nations with the New Urban Agenda.