At the event, UN-Habitat engaged with citizens through discussion around the key components behind World Cities Day: trends in global urbanisation, and the importance of cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanisation and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.

Additionally, UN-Habitat volunteers distributed materials and spread awareness around the organisation’s work in urban areas and urban resilience around the world. Participation in this inclusive and participatory event reinforces the civic commitment for participatory science, provides a platform for advocacy around urban issues, and builds awareness of these critical topics to future generations.

The UN-Habitat City Resilience Profiling Programme led the celebration of World Cities Day in Barcelona under the annual umbrella event, ¨Fiesta de la Ciencia¨ (Science Festival), on 26 October 2019. The event featured 24 stations focused on different scientific and technological areas, where volunteers from more than 150 different organisations facilitated 170 activities for children of all ages. The event provided large numbers of families, young people and adults with knowledge of important scientific research and technological advances across Barcelona and Catalonia. An estimated 15,000 people attended and participated in the festival.