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Press communication: A Different World is Possible, a Different Paraguay is Needed

Press communication regarding the International Conference on March 26-27, Fernando de la Mora , Paraguay

To strengthen ties between Latin American civil-society organizations and government representatives in order to raise awareness of housing issues and increase efforts toward the people’s just demand for inclusive cities that provide basic services for the population as a whole: this is the objective of the announcement and invitation to this event is made by the Paraguayan Committee for Spontaneous Settlements in conjunction with the Argentine Habitat Network and the International Inhabitant’s Alliance.

On March 26-27 in the Municipal Theatre of Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay, academics, representatives of civil society and government officials—including congresspersons, senators, ministers, governors, mayors, and town councilors—will meet in the search for a definitive solution to Latin America’s housing crisis. The attendance of President Fernando Lugo and other authorities from the host country is expected.

The announcement and invitation to this event is made by the Coordinadora para Asentamientos Espontáneos de Paraguay (Paraguayan Committee for Spontaneous Settlements) in conjunction with la Red Hábitat de Argentina (Argentine Habitat Network) and the Alianza Internacional de los Habitantes (International Inhabitant’s Alliance).

The conference seeks to strengthen ties between Latin American civil-society organizations and government representatives in order to raise awareness of housing issues and increase efforts toward the people’s just demand for inclusive cities that provide basic services for the population as a whole.

The conference will include the following topics: the legal framework governing housing rights, international law and housing, landownership security, habitability issues, availability of basic services, access to credit, subsidies and other sources of financial support, women and housing, respect for natural resources, popular participation in public-policy design, and the relation between housing rights and other fundamental rights, such as the right to work, the right to access to health care and education, and the rights of children and the family.

The conference will provide an opportunity for an international exchange of knowledge and experiences, including the efforts in Venezuela which have resulted in Caracas being declared an EVICTION-FREE ZONE, the work in Argentina toward a NATIONAL LEVEL HOUSING LAW, as well as experiences in Uruguay, Chile and Bolivia in the work toward dignified housing.

In collaboration with the Alianza Interanacional de los Habitantes, another topic to be discussed will be the promotion of the exchange of foreign debt for housing development, a payment method which has produced positive results in other parts of the world.

A great part of rural and urban populations who lack stable housing live under constant threat of violent eviction, and thousands of Paraguayans face criminal prosecution for demanding their rights to dignified housing. In light of this we are working toward, and firmly believe that: “A DIFFERENT WORLD IS POSSIBLE, A DIFFERENT PARAGUAY IS NEEDED.”

German version of the document:

CAES – Committee for Spontaneous Settlements

Marilina Marichal

Sec’y of International Relations

E-mail

ARGENTINE HABITAT NETWORK

Cristina Lescano – Fernando Ojeda

E-mail