Wednesday, 23 September, 2015 -18:30to20:30
Venue : IHEID – Maison de la Paix
(Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2, 1202 Genève) – Auditorium A2
In English – Free entrance
Cities and their inhabitants are confronted with a global housing
crisis, generating land tenure insecurity, increasing inequalities and
precarious living conditions, especially among the most vulnerable populations.
In response, civil society actors develop innovative and sustainable solutions
for the inhabitants to take the lead in the development of their cities, both
in the global South and North. But these community-driven projects face major
challenges in ensuring solid and sustainable financing mechanisms. The speakers
will discuss innovative finance mechanisms that can reduce urban poverty by
increasing poor urban communities’ access to commercial and public sector
finance.
Key SpeakerLarry
English(Reall) / 6.30 pm
- Larry
English– Chief
Executive of Reall (formerly Homeless International) will present
the Community-Led Infrastructure Financing Facility (CLIFF), a program
awarded with the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award 2014. He will also
discuss the HI guarantee fund developed in partnership with UK social
housing sector allowing lowinterest loans for community-led housing
in the global South.
Roundtable / 7.15 pm
The discussion will be enriched by
the participation of key actors in the Swiss social production of habitat
sector:
- Peter
Gurtner– former
Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Housing and actual President of
the Bond Issuing Cooperative (BIC) – will present this organization as
well as the guarantee fund (CCH) of the Swiss Federation of Housing
Cooperatives, - Daniel
Fino–
formerSenior lecturer at the Graduate Institute, socio-economist and
board member of the International Guarantee Fund (FIG) –
a North-South non-profit guarantee cooperative, which he will introduce at
this occasion. - Alain
Geiger– Program
Manager at the Infrastructure Financing Division of the State Secretariat for
Economic Affairs (SECO), specialist in urban development
issues – will present SECO’s international support to urban development.
Moderator:
Cyril Royez, coordinator of urbaMonde.