On October 19th, at UCE – Central University of Ecuador, the Convergence Assembly on the Right to the City Happened in the context of Habitat III – The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, held from October 17 – 20, 2016 in Quito, Equador.
The Convergence Assembly aimed to bring together organizations, networks and individuals working in a range of areas related to the Right to the City.
Gender equality, quality public spaces, governance and local participation, inclusive economies, food security, rural development, sustainability, housing and urban development were some of the key issues discussed at the Assembly.
(From left to right: Lorena Zarate (HIC Habitat International Coalition); Bartíria Perpétua Lima da Costa (National Confederation of Residents’ Associations in Brazil – Conam); Nelson Saule (Pólis Institute); and Cesare Ottolini (International Alliance of Inhabitants).
Here we expose the main points of convergence of the Assembly for the implementation of the Right to the City:
1. We consider very important projects and local programs committed to the implementation of the Right to the City – conducted by various sectors of civil society and local governments, in particular by social groups and popular movements. We support actions such as the use and occupation of public spaces, areas that does not comply its social function, defending and fighting against rights violations, discrimination, as well as geintrification.
2. It is essential to promote and expand knowledge of social groups and popular movements related to the process of changes of our cities and territories; as well as inform about instruments and legislation for the implementation and defense of the Right to the City.
3. Our global, national and local efforts towards the defense of the Right to the City has as its main strategic action the formulation and implementation of the Agenda of Inhabitants – which features more than just a document with a vision and commitments, but also concrete actions as campaigns for public spaces, public services, and the social function of property, land and the city.
4. We should follow recognized as strategic spaces of political mobilization the forums and other spaces organized by social groups and popular movements such as the World Social Forum, Amazonian Forum, regional meetings etc.
5. Our global, national and local efforts towards the defense of the Right to the City should follow towards the institutionalization of the commitments by governments in the implementation of the Right to the City. At the international level, agreements based on the New Urban Agenda should promote and strengthen public policies, laws, instruments, legal and administrative institutions towards the implementation of the Right to the City.
Check videos of the Convergence Assembly on the Right to the City here.
