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More than 1 billion people live in slums and inner cities. The urbanisation of poverty and social exclusion is one of the most alarming trends of the 21st century. It is estimated that 72% of the urban population in Africa, 37% in Asia and 26% in South America live without adequate shelter, clean water or sanitation.

One of the key issues, and perhaps the least-empowered group, is urban youth. Of the 1 billion slum dwellers, approximately 50% are under 24. Without access to adequate education or training, they have no prospects for meaningful employment. They have no say in policies and decisions that affect their livelihoods.

In recent years, disenfranchised urban youth have, however, given birth to a powerful voice. This voice is Hip-Hop. It is a social movement. It is both a product of and a reaction to globalisation and represents a strong political statement. The most popular artistes/groups are often those who rap about critical social, economic and environmental issues and who play an active role in their respective communities.

The "MESSENGERS OF TRUTH" project aims to raise US$ 5 million in seed funding to help committed Hip-Hop artistes/groups to empower urban youth in their respective communities.

The "MESSENGERS OF TRUTH" project is about empowering disenfranchised girls and boys living in slums by giving them a chance to voice their views and opinions on decisions affecting their livelihoods and by facilitating their access to skills training, job opportunities, information and means of communication.
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Updates

Africa stars join for poverty song

Some of Africa's most famous musicians have come together to compose a new charity record to tackle poverty across the continent - 20 years after Band Aid. 18 singers - including Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal - are featured on the song, “We Are The Drums.” Cameroonian guitarist Yves Ndjock and saxophonist Manu Dibango, who composed the music, are also featured. Click here to read more.

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AFRICAN GLOBAL HIP-HOP SUMMIT AND CONCERT
FOR YOUTH UNDER SIEGE
A “MESSENGERS OF TRUTH” PROJECT

OCTOBER 20TH - 23RD, 2005 - JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Using of Hip-Hop as a communication tool, the UN-HABITAT, through the “Messengers of Truth Project”, and in association with Native Rhythms Productions are organising the African Global Hip-Hop Summit and Concert for Youth under Siege, scheduled to take place on October 20th – 23rd, 2005 in South Africa. The Hip-Hop Summit and Concert is a regional follow-up to the first Global Hip-Hop Summit and Concert held during the 2nd World Urban Forum in Barcelona in September 2004.

The Summit and Concert forms part of the UN-Habitat and Hip-Hop Artist’s ongoing efforts in mobilizing and supporting youth groups to help inform and empower disenfranchised urban youth on the Millennium Development Goals. The summit will help raise awareness and funding needed in support of local youth development initiatives which include:

• reducing abject poverty and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS by half by 2015,
• promoting universal access and awareness to health and education,
• empowering the youth and creating young entrepreneurs
• improving the living conditions of at least 300 million slum dwellers by 2020

The Summit and Concert will feature committed artists from Africa, North and South America, Europe and Asia, and it is envisaged that more than 40, 000 people will attend the concert. The artists have been chosen based on their commercial success as well as their dedication to community/social upliftment and youth development projects and have been selected from the following regions:

- USA and Canada = 3 artists
- East Africa = 2 artists
- West Africa = 2 artists
- Southern Africa = 3 artists
- Rest of the World = 3 artists

..::Click here to download the Summit Brief::..

For more information contact: bestpractices@unhabitat.org