Habitat for Humanity International leads global agenda discussion on urbanization at World Urban Forum

MEDELLÍN, Colombia (April 8, 2014) – Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford and civil society organization experts from around the world will gather today at the World Urban Forum for a roundtable discussion focused on global approaches to housing, infrastructure and services that truly respond to the needs of the world’s citizens, particularly the poor living in urban areas.

Titled “A new Urban Agenda responsive to people’s priorities for an equitable urban future,” the conversation will yield a proposed strategy for influencing the implementation the development of a new Urban Agenda leading up to the Third U.N. Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in 2016. The discussion will also formulate recommendations for the Open Working Group that is formulating the U.N.’s Post-2015 Development Agenda.

“As experts in the field of international development, civil society organizations must continue to lead the design and implementation of new global urban development agendas for the decades ahead,” said Reckford, who will open the session and serve as its rapporteur. “To realize our shared vision of an equitable world without poverty, civil society must diligently prioritize adequate housing, equitable land tenure and access to basic services at every level. Working together in strategic partnerships, from our local efforts to our global agendas, we will achieve that goal.”

“Home is at the center of every important issue,” said Renee Glover, Habitat for Humanity International’s board chair. “The world’s governments, civil society organizations and other interested parties agree that lack of access to water and sanitation, land, secure tenure, energy, education, health facilities and financial services is detrimental to community development and livelihoods. Adequate housing touches every single one of these issues and provides the stability that families need to access other opportunities and reach their full human potential.”

Habitat for Humanity’s global network supports elevating housing in both the Habitat III and Post-2015 Development agendas and encourages others to join in its efforts.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s advocacy initiatives, please visit www.habitat.org/gov.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.