The Global Platform for the Right to the City hosted several events during HABITAT III – the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development – that took place in Quito, Ecuador, from 17 – 20 October 2016.
CONVERGENCE ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT TO THE CITY
The Convergence Assembly took place on October 19th at the Universidad Central del Ecuador and aimed to bring together – from a critical point of view and oriented to advocacy – organizations, networks and individuals working in a variety 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.
The Assembly was part of the Resistance Forum, a parallel event to Habitat III that was attended mainly by members of grassroots movements and civil society organizations.
On the picture below, 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).
"Living with dignity is not only having a house, four walls and a roof, but is mainly having access to other fundamental rights, such as access to quality public transport, health, education and job opportunities." Bartíria Lima (National Forum for Urban Reform)
"In this century we don´t find neither the Right to Housing nor the Right to the City. We have to resist much more so that these rights are implemented." Cesare Ottolini (International Alliance of Inhabitants)Check 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.
Videos of the Convergency Assembly:
Check Ernesto Jiménez Olin speech (HIC – Habitat International Coalition) on this video.
Other videos of the Assembly video2 and video3.
THE GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR THE RIGHT TO THE CITY
The Global Platform for the Right to the City (GPR2C) emerged from the initiative of several organizations working from around the world to mobilize national and local governments, and international and regional organizations for a new development paradigm aiming at more inclusive and democratic cities. The GPR2C advocates for the recognition and adoption of the Right to the City in the implementation of public policies; therefore it participated, through its members, in different forums and events related to the Habitat III process to promote the Right to the City and to advocate for its adoption as the cornerstone of the New Urban Agenda.
