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Around the world, large cities are mainly covered with concrete. What if they weren't? What if biodiversity and agriculture regained their place in our cities? What would be the benefits for humans and cities themselves? Paola Mugnier, the co-founder of the biodiversity and urban agriculture consultancy start-up Urbalia, answers all these questions in this first episode of Urban Voices.

New York City is one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 crisis. What does that mean in terms of gender equity? What lessons can we learn to build a more sustainable post-coronavirus city? With the participation of Jacqueline M. Ebanks, Executive Director of the New York City Commission on Gender Equity, Martina Rogato, Head of the Italian Delegation to W20, and Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Chair of Urban Flag.

The episode aims at discussing the impact of local governments on women's empowerment. Through the contributions of distinguished guests with rich and diverse backgrounds, we will discuss how cities, and city diplomacy, are empowering women as sources of positive and transformational change. Participants: Ms. Amanda Fléty, Coordinator of the UCLG Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights Prof. Pam Rajput, Head of the Indian delegation to Women20 Ms. Giulia Maci, Lead of the Cities for Women program at Cities Alliance Ms. Martina Rogato, Head of the Italian delegation to Women20 Dr. Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Chair of Urban Flag and Lecturer in City Diplomacy at Sciences Po and the École Polytechnique in Paris

The episode focuses on cities’ response to the COVID-19 crisis. Distinguished speakers with rich and diverse backgrounds discuss how coronavirus has impacted cities and communities, generating bold actions that might deeply shape our urban future. Participants: Aziza Akhmouch, Head of OECD’s Division on Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development Pier Giorgio Oliveti, Secretary-General of Cittaslow International Piero Pelizzaro, Chief Resilience Officer, Sharing Cities City Lead, City of Milan Agis Tsouros, Former Director of Policy and Governance at WHO, Visiting Professor Imperial College, London Cecilia Emma Sottilotta, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Global Politics at the American University of Rome Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Chair of Urban Flag and Lecturer in City Diplomacy at Sciences Po and the École Polytechnique in Paris