Across the world, local leaders are taking a stand against rising inequalities. Through innovations in health care delivery, to living wage campaigns, from the issuance of official identification cards for all city residents to facilitate access to public services, to mobile apps to improve urban mobility for people with disabilities – mayors and local governments are advancing policies and programmes that boost equity and economic growth.
As a response to the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the OECD launched the Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative in March 2016. Champion Mayors form a coalition of willing leaders who have committed to tackling inequalities and promoting more inclusive economic growth in cities.
This initiative has helped governments analyse rising inequalities, monitor material living standards and broader well-being, and design policy packages that promote equity and growth. It is driven by a multidimensional approach to Inclusive Growth, going beyond income to see how people are faring in other areas of life, like jobs and health.
The OECD is honoured to count the Mayor of Reykjavik, Iceland, Dagur Eggertsson, as the Chair of the Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth.
The Champion Mayors initiative is pleased to count on a range of supporting institutions to help shape this work, including the Cities Alliance, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and United Way Worldwide.
Keep up to date with our work by following our Inequality Matters series.