Vision Zero Challenge: Creating A Safe Mobility System For Children webinar for cities

October 23, 2020 by Child Health Initiative

Categories: Road Safety Tags: Child health, Vision Zero, World Resources Institute

WRI Cities Global Director Ani Dasgupta highlighted the key elements to more inclusive, safer, liveable urban spaces for young people.

FIA Foundation North America Director, Natalie Draisin, spoke on the new CHI and UNICEF global guidance for journeys to school.

A special Vision Zero Challenge webinar, ‘Creating A Safe Mobility System For Children’, featured a special address from Child Health Initiative Global Ambassador Zoleka Mandela alongside a specialist panel included Natalie Draisin, FIA Foundation North American Director and UN Representative, chaired by FIA Foundation Deputy Director Avi Silverman.

The Vision Zero Challenge is a programme run by the World Resources Institute, and is supported by the FIA Foundation to spotlight the cities taking action on road safety and providing the targeted support to make safe mobility systems a reality. The Challenge showcases to city leaders the tangible actions needed to implement a Vision Zero approach to road safety, helping them reflect on how to start implementing a paradigm change and then to act on this implementation. The inaugural Vision Zero Challenge 2019-2020 focuses on cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the goal of targeting other regions in future rounds.

This webinar showcased Safe System examples of best practice for child road safety, including the new UNICEF and Child Health Initiative global database to share examples of safe and healthy school journeys that address COVID-19 challenges alongside protecting children on the journey to school during the pandemic. The panel included representatives from the Swedish Transport Administration, NACTO Global Designing Cities Initiative and Fundación Gonzalo Rodríguez, and offered the opportunity for city representatives to ask questions of the panel of experts.

In her special address, Zoleka Mandela said: “Often in our campaigning we can be critical of our city and government leaders for failing to act. While it’s essential that we keep up the pressure, we must also really shine a light on the progress that’s being made and we must incentivise and celebrate that progress and good practice. The cities taking part in the Vision Zero Challenge are leading the way. We know it can be done, and we’re really excited to be working with WRI and all our partners to build more and more momentum. Let’s keep up the good work and let’s make vision zero a reality everywhere.”

Learn more about the Vision Zero Challenge here.

Watch Child Health Initiative Ambassador Zoleka Mandela urging leaders to adopt Vision Zero to save lives.