Second Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in Manila from September 7

Habitat for Humanity International has announced that it will organise the 2nd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to be held at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel in Makati City from 7 to 9 September 2009.

This year’s forum revolves around the theme, “Maximizing Urban Poverty Housing Solutions for Greater Results.” It gathers major stakeholders from the social, private and public sectors, academe and international organizations to share best practices, solutions and resource needs for the large and growing number of people living in substandard housing environments.

“More than half a billion people live in urban slums across the Asia-Pacific region and the drift to towns and cities is continuing. The poverty associated with crowded, unsanitary, unsafe living conditions is a major challenge for the 21st century,” said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president of Habitat for Humanity International.

“The first Asia-Pacific Forum, held in Singapore in 2007, showed the value of bringing together shelter specialists from very different backgrounds to learn from each other. In Manila, the focus will be on the specific issues faced by the urban poor and practical ways to alleviate the burden of slum conditions.”

The forum presents opportunities for forging joint partnerships in housing projects, as potential sources of housing finance, cost efficient technologies, and social entrepreneurs are brought together by this event.

Internationally acclaimed speakers and leading experts in housing concerns to share insights at the forum, include: Dr. Nicolas P. Retsinas from the Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, U.S. a., with a plenary presentation on “Housing Policy: How to Meet the Needs of the Poor” – Retsinas is a former board chairman of Habitat for Humanity International.

Among other speakers are Bruce Ferguson, former urban economist of the World Bank and member of the Advisory Board of Global Urban Development, on the plenary topic “A Value Chain Approach to Affordable Housing: The Key to Massive Scale”; Graham Saunders, head of the shelter department at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland, to speak on “Linking Disaster Response with Sustainable Development”; and Huub Cornelissen, director on energy and housing, The Netherlands Development Finance Company, to present the organization’s initiatives in housing finance for the poor.

From the Philippines, deputy governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will talk on the BSP’s role in supporting housing microfinance in the banking sector. Philippine Vice President Noli de Castro, who is also the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, will be the guest of honor and will deliver the keynote address.

The three-day forum is structured in a manner to maximize dialogue, interaction and networking among participants. The forum’s plenary sessions and discussion groups will focus on innovations in housing the urban poor; rethinking disaster response; UNESCAP Quick Guides on Housing the Poor; and  a “Leaders of Tomorrow Meet Leaders of Today”.

The latter is a unique feature of the forum. Student leaders from all over Asia and the Pacific will have the opportunity to study housing issues and discuss ideas and solutions with forum speakers and housing specialists. Speakers such as Hennie Botes of Moladi and George Modrovic of ELFI Wall System will also be present to discuss efficient housing technologies.