New forms of partnerships between the state, the market and the civil society have to be found, given the failure of each of them considered separately. Tripartism must be expanded to associate the wider civil society into the decision making process. There is a strong need for a balance mediation between the two. The role of the state should be further explored. A strong presence of the state is needed as a complement to and a correction of the market.
Mankind is in transition, especially in cities.
Social development is being determined to a growing extent by the opportunities that cities offer to people, Half of the worlds population is already living in cities and ten cities have each more than ten millions inhabitants. As a result of globalization and other macro trends cities are changing in the way they function as major habitats for their people. In many instances, cities no longer provide the basic conditions for human development. Within cities, underprivileged populations are being excluded from opportunities for development. Cities continue to attract people from rural areas for economic reasons as well as for social and cultural reasons.