The 11th Urban Action School (UAS 2026), themed Reimagining CityZens with Collective Local Governance, will be held at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, from March 23 to 28. This event is a collaborative effort between ActionAid India, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (RLS), and the Centre for Urban Studies at the School of International Relations & Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University. Its primary objective is to create a platform for rethinking urban governance systems within India.
According to an official statement, the program seeks to address the evolving dynamics between rapid urban expansion and established governance frameworks. It aims to advance the idea of the 'CityZen' as an engaged contributor to governance, advocating for a transition towards collective stewardship rooted in democratic principles, justice, and community involvement. Discussions will encompass a range of topics, including decentralization, fiscal structures, labor, gender, climate, housing, digital governance, and public discourse, with the goal of examining power structures in urban environments and fostering more inclusive urban futures.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/urban-action-school-2026-at-mgu/article70772611.ece
