This conference, hosted by Joseph Stiglitz and Mary Kaldor (LSE), addresses interrelated dimensions of economic, environmental, and physical security in a global context. Underlying the conference is the recognition that globalization has generated new and multiple sources of insecurity and that nation-states are no longer able to provide the kind of protection to individual citizens that formed the basis of the national social covenant. The development of policies to enhance citizens' security within this new global context will be pivotal for the success of democratic governments in the coming decades. Conference discussion themes include social protection, protection against violence, environmental protection, the urbanization of global challenges, and global governance. Both prominent scholars and policy makers discuss these various subjects during this conference.

About this session:
Urbanization of Global Challenges

Many of our global challenges become concrete and urgent in cities. Current examples focus on environmental crises: local governments have had to act on air quality standards long before nation-states sign international treaties. In the US, hundreds of local governments have limited carbon dioxide emissions ahead of any proposed national law. Rising water levels can paralyze many cities over a matter of days, long before they would incapacitate a national government. Security is also a constant concern - new military asymmetries tend to urbanize war and have made the pursuit of national security a source of human insecurity in cities. Cities bring urgency to what can be quite diffuse at the global level. Chaired by Ngaire Woods, presenters for this session include Saskia Sassen, Tony Travers, Sergio Fajardo, Arjun Appadurai, Sophie Body-Gendrot and Achille Mbembe.