HIC is a global, independent, and non-profit network for the defense, promotion and realization of human rights related to habitat and a safe place to live in peace and with dignity, both in urban and rural areas.
HIC emerged from a civil society initiative at Habitat I, in 1976, and is today comprised of:
Members
The Coalition’s network of members includes organizations from all over the world.
Friends
Social movements with whom we share common goals.
Social base in the world
Thanks to a broad social base, we defend habitat rights around the world.
HIC’s vision
A world in which everybody everywhere has a safe place to live in peace and with dignity, with coordinated, competent and innovative civil society and social movements that works in solidarity to advance toward gender equality and equity, defend the right to a safe, healthy clean and sustainable environment; promotes and implements the social production of habitat and resists violations of all human rights related to habitat, and where all government spheres respect, protect and fulfill the human right to housing, land and other human rights related to habitat.
How HIC works
Through solidarity, networking and capacity development of social movements and organizations, and influencing public policies within the international agenda, while seeking systemic change, HIC works to develop and advocate transformative practices, norms and standards as a means to achieve social justice and improve living conditions.
Housing & Land Rights
Gender equality
Social Production of Habitat
Sustainable Enviroment
Housing & Land Rights
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Gender equality
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Social Production of Habitat
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Sustainable Enviroment
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Thematic focus areas
HIC Work Streams
Building a strong Coalition
Building a strong Coalition through collective learning, for and by active Members with the capacity, purpose, agency and willingness to work together.
Supporting Members initiatives
Supporting Member initiatives, mobilisation and popular processes that promote, defend and realize the human rights to land, adequate housing and all human rights in urban and rural areas, especially by collective production and management of habitat.
Advocacy at all levels
Influencing public policies and international treaties and conventions that regulate equitable land governance and the construction, distribution and enjoyment of adequate housing, neighborhood improvement towardin the full realization of human rights related to habitat.
Building a strong Coalition
Supporting Members initiatives
Advocacy at all levels
HIC structures
With Members at the center, HIC is composed of various policy, thematic and regional structures, including the General Assembly, the HIC Board and President, HIC Wisdom Keepers, the General Secretariat, Reference Centres, Focal Points and thematic networks.
HIC Board
The Board manages HIC affairs and determines operational policies. It is composed of a gender and regionally balanced and generationally diverse body of: (1) The currently elected HIC President; (2) One elected Member from each recognized and active HIC region; (3) One invited representative of a social movements; (4) One invited representative of feminist movements; (5) One invited representative a group subject to discrimination.
For more information visit Art. 8 of HIC Constitution and HIC Faces
HIC President
The President represents the Coalition on a global level, leading and orientating HIC declarations and attending allies’ initiatives. She/He chairs the General Assembly and the Board Meetings, supervising the execution of the Board decisions and being in permanent contact with the General Secretariat. She/He provides the Coalition regularly with reports of her/his activities.
For more information visit point B of HIC-By-Law and HIC Faces
HIC General Secretariat
The General Secretariat refers to the team made up by the General Secretary and his/her collaborators. The General Secretary is in charge of the day-to-day HIC business, works in close collaboration with the HIC President and is accountable to the Board.
For more information visit Art. 15 of HIC Constitution and HIC Faces
HIC Thematic Networks and HIC Regional Offices
These are Reference Centers that assist the General Secretariat and Members within a geographical region or particular thematic focus in promoting, managing, facilitating and coordinating HIC activities, including those of one or more Working Group(s), with staff dedicated to those functions.
For more information visit Art. 16 of HIC Constitution and HIC Faces
HIC Focal Points
Focal Points are HIC Members that promote, manage and coordinate the whole of HIC activities in each of the approved regions.
For more information visit Art. X of HIC Constitution and HIC Faces
HIC General Assembly
The General Assembly is constituted by all HIC Members and holds the highest authority in the Coalition.
For more information visit Art. 11 of HIC Constitution
HIC Wisdom Keepers
Wisdom Keepers are individuals recognized by the HIC Board for their long-standing commitment, valuable knowledge and contributions to HIC. The HIC Board, President and Secretariat call upon HIC Wisdom Keepers for advice and guidance derived from the Coalition’s long and rich history.
For more information visit HIC Faces
HIC Thematic Networks and HIC Regional Offices
These are Reference Centers that assist the General Secretariat and Members within a geographical region or particular thematic focus in promoting, managing, facilitating and coordinating HIC activities, including those of one or more Working Group(s), with staff dedicated to those functions.
For more information visit Art. 16 of HIC Constitution and HIC Faces
Other Thematic Networks
HIC is active in, and supports other networks such as International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net), the Global Platform for the Right to the City, Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), and the Co-Habitat Network.
HIC Allies
These are like–minded institutions that collaborate with and support HIC, its vision and objectives.
For more information visit Art. X of HIC Constitution and HIC Allies