On 31 October 2022, the world will mark World Cities Day, with the theme ‘Act Local to Go Global’ highlighting the critical role of local action for achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030.

In ARISE, the ‘local’ is central to our research, which aims to enhance accountability and improve the health and wellbeing of marginalised populations living in informal urban settlements in low- and middle-income countries. We work closely with, and are guided by, communities themselves. One of our core strategies to affect change is to support capacity strengthening of urban marginalised co-researchers to generate, collect, and use evidence as new localised knowledge to instigate change. So, we very much recognise and believe in the importance of local action for improved health and wellbeing of urban informal settlement residents.

The 31 October 2022 also sees the opening of the Seventh Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (HSR2022), which takes place in Bogota, Colombia from 31 Oct – 4 November 2022, bringing together approximately 2,000 health systems researchers, policymakers and practitioners from around the world.

ARISE colleagues are delighted to join the event and will be taking part in hosting a number of sessions at HSR2022. This includes an ARISE-hosted Satellite Session to mark World Cities Day – ‘Actors and Alliances to Transform Health and Wellbeing in Cities’ – where we will map out current research, advocacy and action; identify challenges, synergies and gaps and discuss how to connect and expand communities of practice in this area.

If you will be participating in HSR2022 in Bogota or virtually, find out more about how you can join us at the ARISE HSR2022 sessions!