Religion &
the Cities We Need
A Global Dialogue and Planning Consultation for the Faith Pavilion at WUF13
A Concurrent Session at the 13th IGSSCI Conference, Indonesia
What is This?
As cities grow and face rising challenges—from inequality and housing insecurity to climate shocks and civic fragmentation—faith communities are stepping forward as trusted, enduring partners. Yet, their voices remain underrepresented in global urban policy and planning.
Religion and the Cities We Need is a four-day international gathering of faith leaders, scholars, urban practitioners, and policy thinkers. For the first two days the gathering is a concurrent session of the 13th International Graduate Students and Scholars’ Conference in Indonesia (IGSSCI), which has overlapping themes and concerns with the "Religion and the Cities We Need" gathering. The final two days will be held independently at the same venue, allowing the gathering to conduct its own focused sessions and collaborative work.
The gathering serves two purposes:
1
A planning consultation for the next Faith Pavilion at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku (2026)
2
A platform for research exchange, dialogue, and collaboration on how religious communities can contribute to co-creating more just, sustainable, and resilient cities for all-that is, the cities we need.
Why it Matters
Faith-based organisations are often an unseen backbone of urban communities. They own land, provide essential services, and offer moral vision and social cohesion. Yet, global conversations about cities often overlook them.
At WUF12 in Cairo, the first-ever Faith Pavilion made history by amplifying the ethical and spiritual dimensions of urban development. This event is the next step—shaping an even more impactful pavilion at WUF13 and broadening the global movement around Faith for Cities.
The first ever Faith Pavilion at WUF12
Why Attend?
Help Shape the Future
Contribute your voice and vision to the planning of the second global Faith Pavilion at WUF13, 2026.
Connect Across Sectors
Engage with a global network of scholars, faith leaders, urban practitioners, and policymakers.
Share Your Work
Present research or practice in an interdisciplinary space that bridges academia, faith, and urban development.
Advance a Shared Vision
Join a growing movement of cross-sector collaboration incorporating the vital role of faith-based organizations as allies in addressing urban challenges.
We invite interest from:
Faith leaders and community organisers
Urban planners, architects, and policy advisors
Academic researchers and postgraduate students
NGO leaders and development professionals
UN and intergovernmental stakeholders
Space is limited (50 participants). Priority will be given to those whose work intersects with faith and urban development.
All delegates get access to the 2-day IGSSC conference
Programme Highlights
This consultation includes:
Plenary lectures and panel discussions
Paper presentations in collaboration with IGSSCI
Roundtables on WUF13 planning
Field visits in Yogyakarta
Specialist presentations / workshops / meetings on governance, spatial justice, and inclusive development, etc.
Key panels include:
Sacred Space, Public Voice Embedding faith perspectives in city-making
From Vision to Action
Advancing the Call to Action from WUF12
Faith in the Urban Future
Lessons and ambitions for WUF13
Register for Religion & the Cities We Need
Join us as a delegate at Religion & the Cities We Need, a concurrent session at IGSSCI's 13th international conference with full access to sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities at IGSSCI. At IGSSC global leaders will present and engage with the theme of Navigating The Future: Strengthening Resilience Through Global Collaboration Towards World Peace.
A Concurrent Session at the 13th IGSSCI Conference
Organised by
Faith for Cities
A global, multi-faith initiative advancing just and sustainable cities through ethical, spiritual, and community-led engagement.
In collaboration with:
Universitas Gadjh Mada
Baylor Ethics Initiative (USA)
ICRS at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)