By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 5: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has extended an invitation to Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Associate Professor of Urban Studies Aidan Wong to visit Kuching and conduct a special workshop focused on child- and age-friendly urban development.
The invitation was made during a bilateral meeting at the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2025 Mayor’s Forum held in Vienna, Austria, where both leaders exchanged insights on inclusive city planning for all generations.
Wee, who represented Kuching South at the global gathering, said the session with Wong reflected a timely opportunity to deepen the city’s commitment under the UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) and explore best practices in creating age-friendly environments for the elderly.
“Wong’s expertise in both child-inclusive urban planning and aging population issues aligns closely with our efforts to make Kuching South a city that listens and responds to the needs of all citizens.
“Moreover, our Child Council has been a vital step forward. This platform ensures that our young citizens have a say in the city’s development. Their ideas, hopes, and aspirations matter. Now we want to expand this engagement by fostering greater intergenerational dialogue,” he said in a statement today.
Wee emphasised that the proposed workshop will not only engage Kuching South’s Child Council but also aim to bridge conversations between younger and older residents, encouraging inclusive civic participation.
“The meeting underscored MBKS’ dedication to building a city that supports all stages of life—where children grow up feeling empowered and older adults age with dignity and connection,” he added. — DayakDaily
