About Edmundo Werna and Andres Mella

Dr. Edmundo Werna has worked for over 30 years on different aspects of urban development, with particular attention to labour. He has a PhD in urban development from the University of London (UK), an MPhil in development studies from the University of Sussex (UK), and a Bachelor's degree in urbanism and architecture from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil). Werna designed and implemented the urban development agenda of UNDP's UN Volunteers Programme. He also undertook consultancies for several organizations, including local governments, WHO, European Commission, the World Bank, UN-Habitat, UNCDF/UNDP and the ILO. He joined the International Labour Office in 2004. [divider] Andrés Mella is a lawyer and economist with research experience in urban development and labour economics. He is currently pursuing an internship at the International Labour Office at the Sectoral Activities Department where he works with Dr. Edmundo Werna in issues related to urban economy and rural-urban linkages. He has conducted research in several areas including the urban development of China, the urbanization of Chinese poverty, the challenges of capital liberalization and specifically the effects of foreign direct investment on workers' wages.