London habitat campaigns re-examined - audio podcasts from DPU event now online

The DPU-hosted event 'London Habitat Campaigns Re-examined: Exploring the Role of International Alliances for Local Action' brought together representatives from community groups and civil society networks. The event aimed to explore how London civil society campaigns and advocacy activities can relate, support or draw from international housing and urban development campaigns. On the one hand the event triggered discussion about how international alliances can contribute to local campaigns, and on the other hand it explored how those international campaigns can be informed and shaped by some of the preoccupations and struggles going on in London.

We were delighted to welcome a fantastic panel, where we hosted Bernadette Harris from The East London Citizens Organisation (TELCO); Mirca Morera and Sue Penny from Wards Corner Community Coalition; Jacob Wills from Radical Housing Network; Barbara Lipietz from DPU; and Lorena Zarate president of Habitat International Coalition. The panel was hosted by DPU's Alexandre Apsan Frediani, who also gave an introduction to the event.

Speakers introduced their organisations’ recent activities and analysed their progress since the start of the term of Mayor Sadiq Khan. This was followed by comments from Lorena Zarate, president of the international civil society network Habitat International Coalition (HIC). Lorena has been an active leadership advocating for a human rights approach to international habitat and urban development agendas. Lorena spoke about the linkages between London based activities with international treaties, commitments and campaigns.

This discussion was particularly relevant at this moment in London as UN working group on business and human rights condemned the violations caused by the proposed redevelopment of the Seven Sisters Market by Grainger and Haringey Council (click here for more info).

Podcasts from each of the speakers have been published on our Mixcloud channel, and can be heard below.

Bernadette Harris - The East London Citizens Organisation (TELCO) with introduction by Alexandre Apsan Frediani (DPU)

Mirca Morera and Sue Penny - Wards Corner Community Coalition

Jacob Wills - Radical Housing Network

Barbara Lipietz - DPU

Lorena Zarate - President of Habitat International Coalition (HIC)