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The Madrid Declaration launches the World Assembly of Inhabitants 2011

The Madrid Declaration proposes to all inhabitants' organisations, networks and urban social movements the creation in 2011 of the World Assembly of Inhabitants in order to clear the way for the creation of the 'Via Urbana'.

It comprises of a single initiative, based on the call for urban social movements to unite and currently supported by more that 350 organisations in more that 40 countries and from all continents, it has its origins in the Charter of WSF Principles and in the San Salvador Charter, amongst others, as well as in the World Assembly of Inhabitants (Mexico, October 2000) and the Citizens' World Assembly for World Solidarity and Responsibility (Lille, October 2001).

As shown by the outlined road map, it is an open and single proposal.

A period marked by the deterioration of living conditions on a global level.

The fifth annual meeting of the International Alliance of Inhabitants, while benefiting from the solidarity support of the Federation of the Neighbours Associations of Madrid, took place on the 1st and 2nd of June 2008. This event had special significance for several reasons, starting with its symbolism: almost five years after it's founding, the IAI met again in the city where it took its first steps.

It should be pointed out that the meeting took place at a period marked by a deterioration of living conditions of inhabitants worldwide: the evictions, the most precise indicators, show that currently, it is in 65 countries that this extreme insecurity in property is felt.

In effect, the meeting permitted the verification of the fact that despite the United Nations Millennium Objectives still in practice, the living conditions in cities have substantially deteriorated in recent times. In general, housing in the countryside and in the cities has become precarious following heavy capital investment policies that deepen the separation, social and of space, in areas that have the least resources and increase the evictions and the forced relocations. Added to this is the increase in poverty, food prices, the escalation of military conflicts and disasters due to climate change. A number of nations are still unconcerned by this reality and others have neither the power nor sufficient means to tackle these facts. As for international organisations, unfortunately there very few who can confront this situation efficiently.

Consolidation of a Social Movement that fights for the right to g-local housing

For all these reasons, it is very important to stress, in parallel, the consolidation of the Alliance as a social movement which fights for the right to housing at a g-local level and which counts on the integration of new countries in its midst.

Faced with this situation, the meeting in Madrid was able to note the importance which the Zero Evictions Campaign had had in the world arena, propelled by the Alliance in several European countries, in the United States, in Asia, as well as the setting up of alarm sounders at regional levels in Latin America and in the Caribbean Islands.

Also to be emphasised is the acknowledgement of this activity on an institutional level, as shown by the nomination of several members of the IAI to the UN-Habitat Advisory Group of on Forced Evictions, as well as the reinforcement of the collaboration with local authorities that sympathise with FAL (Local Authorities Forum For Social Inclusion).

Because of all these considerations, the IAI has launched the Madrid Declaration to "Build together the World Assembly of Inhabitants", which proposes to do a general assessment of the challenges which our peoples and societies face as well as an analysis of the urban circumstances against which we must fight with an aim to establish large and productive alliances amongst urban social movements, local governments, universities and institutions that defend human rights at international levels but also in each country. In effect, in the same manner that we acknowledge that there exist big problems which we must face and whose substance is the cause of dispersion and fragmentation of the movement, there also exist precious experiences which should be encouraged and spread and which we need to coordinate better. It is this fundamental role that the Alliance proposes to play. Therefore, it has decided to strengthen regional coordination and systematise and broadcast the popular experiences of the different parties of the world.

The Madrid Declaration: The Origins and Future of a Solidarity and United Proposal.

In this sense, the Madrid Declaration proposes to all inhabitants' organisations, networks and urban social movements the creation in 2011 of the World Assembly of Inhabitants in order to clear the way for the creation of the 'Via Urbana'.

It comprises of a single initiative, based on the call for urban social movements to unite and currently supported by more that 350 organisations in more that 40 countries and from all continents, it has its origins in the Charter of WSF Principles and in the San Salvador Charter, amongst others, as well as in the World Assembly of Inhabitants (Mexico, October 2000) and the Citizens' World Assembly for World Solidarity and Responsibility (Lille, October 2001).

As shown by the outlined road map, it is an open and single proposal.

In the same manner, and taking into account that the struggle for decent housing should take place in a participatory manner, the Alliance has formulated specific proposal in relation to the creation of a common system of access to housing and to the city, and to common funds for land and habitation, in cancelling the debts of poor countries and in stimulating a new public service for housing; in particular by forming housing cooperatives in joint properties and by mutual assistance. Additionally, in collaboration with several Universities in Latin America and Europe, the IAI has moved forward in a significant manner in the area of training and research through the Urban Popular University.

With this approach, the Alliance will continue to develop studies and to elaborate, publish and broadcast proposals and struggle initiatives capable of influencing, in a transcendental manner, public opinion and government authorities and powers.

Likewise, the Alliance will also be present at the next Social Forum, which will take place in Brazil next year, and will participate in different activities organised by Social Movements, which fight for "a possible different world".

More info: info@habitants.org

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