Urban innovation and development isn't the result of a top-down plan. Innovation occurs at the intersections of individual knowledge and experience.  We can accelerate innovation and drive development by increasing the rate of interaction between people, ideas, perspectives and ways of doing things.  Top-down policies can support innovation by improving education and access to knowledge (for example, by improving Internet access and supporting research), facilitating immigration, and through investments in centers of knowledge exchange (such as, museums, libraries and performing arts spaces).  But, the panelists believe that grassroots movements can do even more to drive innovation by building inclusive, collaborative, and ambitious communities aimed at solving local problems.  In other words, we believe that we can *make* development. 

This session is focused on the communities and the people *making* change in African cities:  Panelists will share their experience in supporting local development through maker movements in Kigali, Rwanda, Aswan, Egypt,  and Lome, Togo. 

The session is part of the GLOBAL INNOVATION GATHERING programme.