One of the key themes of this year’s UN Habitat 9th World Urban Forum: Caring Government-Caring Community which was held from February 7-13 is the important role that local governments play in creating caring communities. Shakir Ameer, City Council Member of Shah Alam City Council who attended the forum explains how local governments and communities should work together to build holistic societies, “We need to constantly bridge the gap. We need to constantly address socioeconomic issues. We need to empower the people to look after one another. We also need to cultivate this awareness among the younger generation because charity starts at home. There is always a need to address social matters.”
Promoting the wellbeing of individuals and communities is fundamental to the work of local governments. As the high cost of living continues to impact on vulnerable individuals and communities, it is important that local governments bolster the wellbeing and resilience of the local population.
Local governments today are facing up to the challenge of unprecedented cuts in expenditure and services, and must demonstrate the economic and social value of its services. This is why local governments have to go beyond the provision of public services. One of the ways local governments can demonstrate the social value of its services is by providing platforms for communities to engage with one another. The participation of communities in local government programs will not only improve their welfare, it will create a holistic, positive environment for the community to thrive.
Although there is no fixed formula, it has long been recognized that local governments are key players in creating the conditions for material wellbeing. Local governments help to increase employment opportunities, regenerating the physical environment and strengthening the local economy. Recent evidence also highlights the role of local governments of nurturing psycho-social wellbeing in local populations so that all members of the community can reach their potential and live a good life.
To ensure that local governments and communities achieve Malaysia’s sustainable development goals (SDG 17), the challenge that local governments need to overcome is the provision of practical support and access to resources that is the foundation for material and psycho-social wellbeing. That way, people with different levels of capacity can affect change in their communities.
