National workshop on Urban Poverty in India: Whittling or Withstanding

                                        

Let’s bring change to the life of urban poor!

Let’s advocate for the food, shelter, clothing, and education and health needs of urban poor!

Let’s secure the livelihood of urban poor!

Let’s come together to make this change happen!

 1. Context

A National Workshop on Urban Poverty: Whittling or Withstanding  has been organized in the National Capital from 22^nd-23^rd March 2012 as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Caritas India. The two day workshop has accentuated on various aspects of urban poverty and priortising Urban poverty as key concern to addressed by concerned government institutions, NGOs, activists and individuals.

The workshop has been attended by social activists, subject experts, legal experts, academicians, NGO representatives from different parts of India. The inaugural function was chaired by Bishop Lumen Monterio, Chairman, Caritas India. In his address, he highlighted Urban poverty and the ever increasing urban population as the major challenge for the nation. He stressed that there is a need for systematic approach to address the issue and to evolve common strategies. Fr. Varghese Mattamana, Executive Director, Caritas India said that the workshop aims to strengthen Caritas India’s capacities in designing and implementing urban development programmes. Mr. Michel Verhulst, President, Caritas Belgium, Mr. Dominic Verhoeven, Vice Preseident, Caritas Belgium also graced the occasion. Mr. P.U. Francis, Zonal Manager – North, Caritas India made the welcome address and Fr. Frederick D’Souza, Director Designate, Caritas India gave the thanking note for the inaugural ceremony.

The second day saw gave way for a thought shower session wherein all the participants and resource persons were engaged in coming up for a way forward for this issue of Urban Poverty. It was seen after the session that various partnership enhancement, advocacy and networking is quite required to take forward this burning issue of Urban Poverty.

The issues were well discussed in the open discussion and the house recorded the concern for proper judgments on public interest litigations and its implementation. To address the concerns of urban poverty and advocate for the urban poor a blog (http://wittillingurbanpoverty.blogspot.in/) on Urban Poverty  has launched by Bishop Lumen Monterio, Chairman, Caritas India.

At the end of the workshop intended to take the issue forward so that it will mould and supplement Caritas India’s efforts in urban development programmes.

2. Workshop highlights

Facilitation of workshop-on Defining Urban scenario

Mr. Indu Prakash Singh from Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) along with the Caritas India staff has stood as the key resource person for the workshop. He focused on the push and pull factors of the rural to urban migration. Mr. Colin Gonsalves, Director, Housing and Land Rights Network and Ms. Jayashree Satpute made their remarks on judiciary and favorable judgments with regard to homelessness and against evictions. The workshop threw light on different aspects of Urban Poverty ranging from migration to the problem related o identity crisis of these people who are living in the slums. It also took into account of the issue of homelessness in India by Mr. Harsh Mander.

Facilitation of workshop-on defining government policies for urban poor

Ms. Aruna Sundararajan, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) on Basic services for the urban poor shared her views on dimensions - engagement in housing, health, education, livelihood and credit: policies and schemes. She said that establishing community organizations and community networks among the urban poor are the need of the hour along with the enactment of property rights by all the states.

Facilitation of workshop-on Defining role of media in addressing urban issues

A session by Mr. Raju Sajwanh, from Dainik Jagran, Delhi, reiterated on the need for more collaboration between Civil Society Organizations and Media so that the issues are taken to the larger public and thereby ensure a joint advocacy effort in policy making.  He also made the call for alternative journalism on issues like urban poverty through blogs and websites.

Facilitation of workshop-on solution for migration

Mr. Vinod Pandey from Caritas india has shared the results of Caritas India projects (LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS in Rajasthan & Bundelkhand region) in terms of mitigating migration from rural to urban and reducing the pressure on cities. He has shared that how with the concept of Rozgar Dhaba (employment restaurant) and promotion of sustainable agriculture in Banswara project region migration has reduced to 0% with target households.