IAE Business School, through its Center for Family and Business Balance (CONFyE) and its Chair for Sustainable Integral Development, in collaboration with the Center for Studies in Sustainability and Social Innovation at Universidad Austral, has been selected by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) as the first academic partner of the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project.
Argentina has brought 12 new municipalities as signatories to the Venice Declaration aimed at guiding municipalities toward fostering comprehensive, sustainable development for individuals and families and promoting urban development policies that place families at the center of sustainable planning. The initiative prioritizes areas such as housing, education, health, and technology to enhance family well-being.
This expansion strengthens the international network of local governments committed to urban development policies that prioritize family well-being and sustainability. The new signatories include municipalities from eight Argentine provinces, signaling a significant step toward creating inclusive, family-centered urban environments. Key participants highlighted the initiative’s relevance, noting that nearly 80% of Argentina’s population resides in metropolitan areas, which poses unique challenges for equitable development. This development highlights Argentina’s dedication to addressing urban challenges through a family-focused approach and its alignment with the initiative’s global goals.
IAE Business School, a premier academic institution in Latin America, is renowned for its excellence in executive education and its commitment to fostering leadership and sustainable development. Based at the Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires, IAE ranks among the top business schools in the region, offering internationally recognized MBA and executive programs tailored for professionals seeking to impact their organizations and communities positively.
Patricia Debeljuh, director of IAE’s Center for Family and Business Balance (CONFyE), emphasized the importance of incorporating families into urban policy frameworks as a means of driving social cohesion and sustainability. The launch also included workshops led by Prof. Hector Rocha on “Live-case” method from Buenos Aires and San Miguel, showcasing innovative approaches to family-centered urban planning.
Renata Kaczmarska, Focal Point of the Family of the Division on Inclusive Social Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlighted that “SDG 11 emphasizes the need for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. Ensuring that families have access to adequate housing, basic services, and infrastructure, and that they are not left behind in the process of urbanization, is crucial for achieving it, and that is the policy framework of the New Urban Agenda”. José Alejandro Vázquez, Director of International Relations of IFFD also highlighted the importance of a family perspective and participatory processes of families in the urban design.
This milestone reinforces IAE Business School’s dedication to fostering impactful dialogues and actionable solutions for sustainable development and IFFD’s commitment to make urban spaces more family-friendly around the world in collaboration with the Division on Inclusive Social Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
New Signatories:
Alem (Misiones)
Cañuelas
Junín
Luján
City of Buenos Aires
Cerrillos (Salta)
El Trapiche (San Luis)
La Calera
Villa Allende (Córdoba)
San Juan
Santa Fe
Yerba Buena (Tucumán).
More information about:
Inclusive Cities and Sustainable Families Project
Original press release by IAE (Spanish)
