About the Series

In conjunction with the Access for Babies Toddlers and Their Caregivers report, two Access for All webinars explore issues around mobility and access for cities’ most vulnerable residents—young children and the people who take care of them. Thinking about urban planning through the eyes of babies, toddlers and caregivers provides new opportunities to reimagine best practices worldwide.

About the Webinar

Quality public transport is essential in bridging mobility needs for babies, toddlers and their caregivers, and in complementing other sustainable travel modes like walking and cycling. 

The second webinar in a two-part installment on Access for All series will be focused on mobility behaviors and needs through the lens of caregivers traveling with their young children. It will highlight key enablers of quality public transport stemming from the new report, and it will bring together two cities, Istanbul, Turkey and Recife, Brazil, to discuss gaps in transport systems and solutions that can improve the mobility needs of young families.

Presentations

 

About the Moderator

Cecilia Vaca Jones, M.A. Executive Director, Bernard van Leer Foundation

Cecilia has over 20 years of experience managing social development policies and programmes. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, she was the Minister of Social Development of Ecuador from 2013 to 2016. She championed policies to improve the conditions of children, women and indigenous communities, including a cross-sectoral policy for ECD. Cecilia has also worked for several civil society organizations, the Organisation of American States, UNDP and has been a university professor. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Policies for Sustainable Development from the University of Bologna, a BA in International Relations from the Pontifical Catholic University in Ecuador, and an executive Master’s degree in cities from the London School of Economics.

 

About the Presenters

Aimee Gauthier Chief Knowledge Officer

Aimée manages ITDP’s global initiatives, international policy program, leadership and innovation program, and global research and projects. She is responsible for the organization-wide implementation and alignment of programs and practices through effective communication, monitoring, and evaluation. Aimée is also instrumental to ITDP’s international advocacy, raising support for sustainable transportation and urban development from major international agencies, governments, and key stakeholders and decision makers around the world. This role is complemented by her involvement in our MOBILIZE program and Sustainable Transportation Awards… View more >

İlhan Akbulut Organizational Development Officer, Public Transportation Directorate, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

İlhan has been working for the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality as a R&D Engineer and an Organizational Development Officer since 2019. Before that, he worked for Istanbul’s Metropolitan Municipality Public Transportation Directorate as seaways planner and an administrative assistant. In his current role, he is taking charge of developing and managing projects for the Public Transportation Department in the Municipality. İlhan has a degree in Electrical Electronic Engineering from Karabuk University.

Beatriz Rodrigues Public Transport and Electrification Manager, ITDP Global

Beatriz (she/her/hers pronouns) leads ITDP’s global initiatives in public transport and electrification, spearheading the development of strategies and policies. She coordinates knowledge sharing among regional offices, focusing on rapid transit, buses, electrification, paratransit, and BRT. A Brazilian native, she began her work in ITDP at our Brazil regional office in 2016 and joined the Global team in 2024. Throughout her career, Beatriz has collaborated closely with public transport stakeholders, including managers, operators, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia. She specializes in project, strategy, and policy development for public transport, prioritizing quality, integration, inclusivity, and zero-emission systems. Beatriz also has experience in planning and coordinating capacity-building initiatives and knowledge exchanges through meetings, courses, and webinars.
Beatriz Rodrigues holds a degree in civil engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and a Master’s in Transport Engineering from COPPE/UFRJ. During her master’s studies, she focused on enhancing the quality of bus public transport systems, considering the perspectives of vulnerable users, particularly caregivers and young children. Fluent in Portuguese and English, and with moderate knowledge of Spanish, Beatriz is passionate about advancing sustainable transport solutions on a global scale.

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