The Housing and Land Rights Network of Habitat International Coalition (HIC-HLRN) is organizing a networking event at the World Urban Forum 7, Medellín, Colombia to present civil society´s expectations and needs from the process and outcomes of the global Habitat III Conference in 2016. The networking event will take place on Friday, 11 April 2014, 14:00–16:00, at Room 6 in the Yellow Pavilion, Plaza Mayor Convention and Exhibition Centre. The session will address the following questions:

  • How has civil society contributed to the Habitat Agenda process and content?

  • Is this dynamic advancing or regressing since 1976 …since 1996?

  • How do civil organizations perceive this dynamic unfolding toward 2016?

  • What does civil society hope to contribute to, and take from Habitat III in 2016?

Civic participation in, and the normative framework of global urban policy have evolved since 1976, but not always progressively. This event reflects on that dynamic and channels civil society perspectives on procedure and content issues toward Habitat III. A panel will trace the evolution of civil society relations with the Habitat Agendas, first, with veterans of Habitat I and II. Then panelists will present Habitat III expectations linked to the post-2015 Development process, including a forward-looking prospective from engaged youth.

The inclusive participant discussion will reflect civil society visions and demands for Habitat III that optimizes constructive engagement and norms of previous Habitat Agendas. Participants will present their expectations and proposals, including mechanisms for CSO engagement in, and optimal outcomes from the Habitat III process. These inputs will address choices facing Habitat III partners to ensure a progressive Habitat III that reflects the CSO platform toward an improved Habitat Agenda in 2016 as a common ground for socially equitable and environmentally sound habitats over the coming decades.

Presenters:

Ana Sugranyes SUR, Corporación de Estudios Sociales y Educación (Chile)

Enrique Ortíz Habitat International Coalition-America Latina (Mexico)

Matthew Boms Communitas Coalition for Sustainable Cities & Regions in the New UN Development Agenda

Majed Thabet Youth Development Organization (Yemen)

Moderator:

Joseph Schechla Housing and Land Rights Network – Habitat International Coalition (Egypt)

The session will be conducted in English, but other languages are welcome with side interpretation.

Contact: Joseph Schechla: jschechla@hlrn.org

Background documents:

HIC Expectations of Habitat III (summary)

1, 2, 3, Habitat! (full version)

Enrique Ortíz, “From Vancouver 1976

to Vancouver 2006” (Sept. 2008)