2007 ACHR Exchange Calendar
August 2007
Visit to Sri Lanka for Tsunami Housing inauguration and CLAPNET
Maurice Leonhardt (ACHR Secratariat) visited Sri Lanka to attend the inauguration of new housing for tsunami survivors. He also attending meetings of the newly formed network called CLAPNET as well as ameeting of the rapidly expanding People’s Savings Company in the Galle district.
July 2007
Tanzania team to CODI and ACHR Sec. in Thailand
Tanzanian Dar es Salaam City Council members, visited Bangkok during the first week of July, 2007. They wished to know about Asian Coalition for Housing Rights, their activities and achievements and the activities of CODI Thailand.
Tsunami Asia meets Katrina New Orleans and Mississippi
Survivors and supporters of Tsunami affected communities in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia met with Katrina affecetd communities in New Orleans and Mississippi.
UN-Habitat Host Slum film makers Meeting in Nairobi
SDI and ACHR video makers attended this meeting focused on developing media, including films by slum dwellers. Organised by TVE UK and the Canadian Film Board
Advisory visit to Nepal
Somsook Boonyabancha met with Lumanti and new government representatives in Nepal ... including Ministers and new Maoist members, to discuss future co-operation with community based housing development. Followup activities were planned for October 2007.
June 2007
Disaster Risk Reduction Planning Meeting Bangkok
Core group of 4 / 5 people met in Bangkok - This was a pre-conference to design the programs for a People centred Disaster component within ACHR.
Thais to Sri Lanka for Enterprise training with CLAPNET
Sevanatha collaborated with ACHR for resource persons for income generation training for Tsunami affected victims in Sri Lanka. There were 24 women from 12 cities in Sri Lanka the program.
Thais and Local Administrators attend Housing Wokshop in Nepal
ACHR, UN-ESCAP and LUMANTI co-host a workshop on Community Based Housing Development in Kathmandu. 9 delegates from Thailand including Mayor of Surin Province attended the seminar.
Vietnam 10 city savings network meeting June 9-10
May 2007
Sri Lanka Team visits Community Enterprise processes in Thailand
A large team of 14 from tsunami affected communities supported by the Women's Bank, Eastern Province People's Forum and Help-O visited communities with successful community enterprise processes in Thailand's tsunami affected southern provinces.
Urban Poor Forum Workshop Germany
Somsack (UPDF Cambodia) and Somsook (ACHR Sec) represented ACHR at MISEROR's urban poor workshop in Aachen, Germany.
SELAVIP visit to Thailand and Cambodia
Joan MacDonald from SELAVIP ( Chile) visited Thailand and Cambodia where SELAVIP supports urban poor processes.
April 2007
ACHR Regional Meeting in Bangkok
About 40 ACHR members from 15 countries met in Bangkok to review activities and plan for the next 3 years.
Fiji urban poor team to Bangkok
Fr. Kevin Barr from ECREA, Fiji and two community representatives from the People’s Settlement Network. visited Bangkok, Thailand to first hand how communities organize themselves to improve their settlements and livelihood. A follow up to Ken Fernandes visit to Fiji last year.
Support visit ACHR to Tsunami recovery Network in Sri Lanka
Visit by Somsook to discuss support for the Tsunami Recovery Network - included another meeting at the invitation of the National Minister for Housing
Exploratory Study visit to Bangladesh
Iftekhar Amed visited groups in Dhaka to explore ways in which ACHR can continue to link with friends in Bangladesh
March 2007
Sri Lankan National Minister for Housing visits Thailand
A team from Sri Lanka exchange visit focusing on CODI process of Bann Mankong ( Secure Tenure) and tsunami recovery process in Southern Thailand
ACHR Sec and MISEROER to Cambodia
to introduce Almuth - MISEREOR's new regional officer for Indo-China to the Cambodian urban poor scene.
Dr. Ulrich Dornberg Asia Department Misereor visited ACHR/CODI savings process in Lao PDR
Preservation for People - Heritage process
Exposure study in Kyoto Japan
Exposure study in Bagan, Burma
February 2007
Urban Poor Communities Exposure to Karachi
Organised by ESCAP, ACHR. OPP, URC Karachi and Saiban for teams from Nepal. Mongolia, Cambodia and Thailand
Poverty Reductuon Workshop in Laos
ACHR representatives, Somsook, Khun Rattaya, Nat attended the Poverty Reduction Workshop organised by the Lao Women Union in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The workshop was supported by ACHR.
Savings and Housing Exposure / Workshop Bangkok
Organised by ESCAP, ACHR and CODI for teams from Nepal. Mongolia, Cambodia. A team from the Philippines also joined and extended their visit.
Preservation for People - Heritage process
Andre Alexander exposure study to Panang Malaysia
January 2007
Cambodians to Thailand and Laos
Three groups of Cambodian delegates came to exchange their experiences with Thai community people. 34 of the delegates are municipality representatives and community people from PhnomPenh, Siem riab, Battumbong, and Sihanuville. They visited Rural Baanmunkong in Ayudthya, Supanburi, Nonthaburi and Baanmunkong in Bangkok also.
15 of them then went to Lao for a Poverty Reduction Seminar in Laung Prabang and the other 19 returned to Cambodia through Poi Pet and stopped at Rayong to visit Baan Mankong projects.
2006 ACHR Exchange Calendar
December 2006
Housing training/workshop in Katmandu, Nepal
ACHR supported a housing training/workshop in Katmandu. organized by Lumanti for federation leaders and community members of urban and rural areas. Ken Fernandes joined the training/workshop to offer his knowledge and experience.
Preservation for People - Heritage process
Exploratory study visit to Luang Prabang Lao PDR
Bill Clinton’s visit to Hin Look Diaw - Phuket - Thailand
UNDP Thailand had requested Somsook Boonyabancha to help facilitate the visit of the former US president Bill Clinton during his visit to Hin Look Diaw, a Moken fishing village in Phuket.
November 2006
Preservation for People - Heritage process
Exploratory Study visit to Hoi An Vietnam
Exploratory Study visit to Lijiang China
Thai Team to Aceh’s workshop:
Somsook Boonyabancha and 3 community leaders from Thailand visited Aceh (Indonesia) to attend a workshop on cooperative housing for tsunami survivors. This workshop was organized by the Acehnese “Badan Rhabilutasi dan Rekonstruction NAD-Nias (BRR), and supported by USAID.
ACHR in Europe
Somsook Boonyabancha met with donors Selavip and Cordaid to update them on ACHR activities and to discuss how to coordinate a common direction. Somsook also addressed a seminar in Denmark on the topic of Tsunami Rehabilitation and Communities.
2nd Exchange visit from Katrina Survivors to Asia
A team of 10 survivors of hurricane Katrina and subsequent floods in New Orleans and the Mississippi region visited southren Thailand tsunami survicor communities and earthquke survivors in Indonesia.
6th Regional Survivor’s Dialogue Workshop / Exchane, Phuket
Survivors and supporters from 9 countries in Asia that have experienced natural disasters came together to exchange strategies, visit affected communities, inaugurate the new Sea Gypsy cultural heritage museum and interacted with Thailand’s Minister of Social Development and Human Security, as well as other government officials.
October 2006
Cambodia Late Habitat Day
The Cambodia Habitat Day program this year was a 2 day event, from October 10 – 12, involving the inauguration of the Borie Kiela land–sharing project. The next day,there were visits to communities in 4 provinces: Prey Veng, Bantey Meanchey, Kampot and Kampong Thom. The groups shared their opinions and experience on several issues such as upgrading, saving and network organizing with the local communities, and spend a night with them before heading back to Phnom Penh the next day.
ACHR Support to Tsunami rehabilitation in Sri Lanka
ACHR Sec team and a team from Thailand paid a visit to Sevanatha in Sri Lanka to discuss further work on tsunami rehabilitation there.
September
Thai team to Mongolia:
A team from ACHR, SDI and ESCAP visited Mongolia to prepare for a National Workshop on savings low cost and housing to be held later in the year.
New Orleans Missippi Survivors to Thailand and Aceh
4 community members from the Katrina-affected communities of New Orleans visited Thailand and Indonesia
July
Philippines group from Impact to Thailand
The focus of the exchange was on low cost housing and savings. Similar teams from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, also visited the city-wide upgrading by community people.
Malawi team exchange visit to India and Thailand
An integrated team of government, NGOs and community leaders exchanged ideas on savings and urban poor housing with NSDF/SPARC/MM in India before visiting CODI projects in Thailand.
Fr Jorge Anzorena (SELAVIP) made an exploratory visit to Mongolia
where the
local Urban Development Resource Center and friends have started savings groups that have recently expanded to around 30 locations. Fr Jorge also visited the Ulaanbaatar Urban Resource Centre that is being strengthened by the Urban Poverty section of UNESCAP and ACHR.
Planning to Host City Alliance Public Policy Forum in Bangkok
19th - William Corbbet head of City Alliance met with ACHR and SDI to plan the City Alliance Public Policy Forum to be held in Bangkok 27 – 29 November. More than 60 international policy makers and donors will attend the Public Policy Forum which will focus on City Wide Upgrading processes (hosted by CODI, Thailand) and City Development Strategies.
Postponed due to unpredictable political situation in Thailand.
Eviction Prevention Strategies Cambodia
Two visits were made to Cambodia by Jockin Amputham and Somsook Boonyabancha ( SDI / ACHR) in an effort to help locals devise strategies to prevent evictions and propose alternatives – see story here
June
Exploratory Visit to New Orleans Hurricane Affected Communities
23 – 26 ACHR made an exploratory visit to New Orleans hurricane affected communities, in preparation for a team form New Orleans to visit tsunami affected communities in Asia.
People Centred Disaster Rehabilitation Workshop at WUF3
19 -23 Tsunami survivors and supporters from Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka participation in World Urban Forum 3
Vietnam Management Team to Thailand
25 – 29: a Vietnamese team from the Project Management Unit 415 under the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City had a study tour to Bangkok. The team was interested in the structural organization of community upgrading, Somsook and the team at CODI gave a presentation on the upgrading projects in Bangkok, as well as the community-driven working mechanism of CODI. The Vietnamese team also visited the district of Bang Khen, and had a question and answer session with the district chief on slum upgrading activities within the district. Before returning to Vietnam, the team took some samples of EM (Effective Mico-organism) produced by the Bang Khen communities, and would try it for waste water treatment in their project in Ho Chi Minh City.
May
Surabaya Assembly Members to Thailand Canal Projects
May 28 – June 1: 4 Members of Surabaya's Local Assembly. 2 concerned journalists and 2 supporters of Surabaya’s riverside communities visited Bangkok’s Canal communities to see how riverside settlements could live in harmony with canals and rivers. At present riverside communities in Surabaya are threatened with eviction by Surabaya’s normalization of rivers policies. Some progress has be made by reduced set-back zones, community based environmental actions and some on-site upgrading and re-blocking of houses.
Coalition for Urban Poor - CUP - Bangladesh to Bangkok
22 – 25 Bangladesh NGOs from CUP ( Coalition for the Urban Poor) visited Bangkok for an exchange focusing on City Wide Up-grading and savings and credit. The exchange was meant to include community leaders, however CUP informs it was difficult to get visas.This exchange was supported by Coordaid.
Housing Conference South Africa
18 -22 Somsook Boonyabancha attended a conference on Finance and Housing organized by Slum/Shack Dwellers International and the Government of South Africa’s Department of Housing in Cape Town, South Africa on. Attending the conference were representatives from countries such as Thailand, India, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Uganda, Brazil and many others which have housing shortages similar to those of South Africa. The conference was also attended by the South African National Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
April
Mongolian team to Thailand
Mongolian team consisting of staff of the Urban Development Resource Centre and the Mongolian – Thai Friendship Association visited Bangkok. The team focuses on sharing experience in community savings and credit activities, community upgrading, as well as enhancing cultural cooperation and exchange between Thailand and Mongolia.
Vietnam Team to Thailand City Wide Upgrading
14 – 15: a team from the Municipal Administration of Hue City, Vietnam, came to Bangkok for a study tour to learn about community-driven upgrading, with the support from City Alliance. ACHR, CODI, Bangkok Municipality and the Human Development Foundation (HDF) participated in hosting the team.
Somsook Meets Bill Clinton in New York
April 24 Somsook Boonyabancha was a guest speaker at the Global Consortium on Tsunami Recovery in New York Chaired by President Clinton. Somsook spoke on the issue of Community-Driven Development and tsunami recovery.– the theme of the meeting.
March
Philippines Savings Federation in East Timor
17 – 24: Father Noberto and his team from the Philippines Homeless Peoples Federation visited East Timor. The Philippines group including Ruby, Josie, and a local Timorese student went to Dili, for 2 weeks to strengthen existing savings groups and start others. The next trip due in June was postponed because of the political instability in the capital.
Evaluation in Ho Chi Ming City
16 – 21: Somsook Boonyabancha visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Arif Hasan at the request of KU Leuven, Belgium funded up-grading program to evaluate their projects. This comprehensive upgrading project of Logom canal has significant impact to the upgrading policy of Vietnam.
February
Misereor visit to UPDF in Cambodia.
In this visit, Misereor was presented with an overview on community upgrading activities in Cambodia, and later took a field trip to visit upgrading projects. Misereor also took this opportunity to meet with H.E Mann Chhoeum, UPDF Chairperson.
Thai Help for Canal Communities in Surabaya
Feb 6 – 11: Vichai Poey, a young professional, and former Chumchon Thai Foundation (NGO Thai) worker, was invited by the squatter communities along the river in Surabaya, Indonesia to demonstrate how to make and make use of EM (Effective Mico-organism) in sewage/canal water treatment. Vichai reported that these communities had no wastewater treatment system. And consequently are blamed for the pollution of the river water, which authorities said was a major reason to force them out by eviction. Following an exchange trip to Bangkok, the Surabaya communities leaders were to learn more about EM as used by the Bangkok canal communities.. During his stay there, Vichai organized a training session with about 70 community and supporting participants, UPC staff and journalists. Vichai explained how EM can be made and used. The communities were very excited, and reports inform us that now use EM daily.
January 2006
Regional Tsunami Survivor's Dialogue No. 4 in Bande Aceh, Indonesia
Between January 4-8, after the government's big event, the Udeep Beusaree Network hosted its own regional tsunami dialogue with more than 150 participants. ACHR collaborated with the Indonesian groups to give tsunami survivors and supporters from coastal villages in India, Thailand and Sri Lanka a chance to compare notes on all the key issues of rehabilitation (such as land tenure, housing, livelihood revival, dealing with misguided government regulations, etc) with the Acehnese, as well as with some earthquake survivors from Pakistani and Kashmir, and community leaders from several other parts of tsunami-hit Aceh and other parts of Indonesia who are part of the Uplink network.
2005 ACHR Exchange Calendar
December 2005
East Timorese Vist CODI and Thailand
A team of East Timorese government ministers, linked with an UN ESCAP project, visited the National Housing Authority of Thailand to explore housing options for poor communities. The team had discussions with ACHR and CODI and visited various Baan Mankong projects.
ACHR started – albeit on a small scale – grassroots savings groups in East Timor last year with the help of the Philippines Homeless People’s Federation.
Thailand Tsunami Anniversary Activities
24-27 December the Thai communities in collaboration with the Andaman Network held a 3-day anniversary commemoration in Phangnga. People from many provinces joined in a ceremony by the sea. Gifts were placed on a boat and then the boat was set free to drift seaward.
At Tung Waw ( Moken Sea Gypsy village ) locals and Thais from other villages and networks in Thailand gathered with supporters to discuss what they had achieved over the past year. They also systematically discussed what had not been achieved and how they may go about further rehabilitation
Nepal's Up-grading Project Inauguration
On December 24, 2005, Nepal’s first community-planned and community-built housing relocation project (for squatters evicted to make way for a road-building project) was inaugurated at Kirtipur, a small but ancient municipality in the Kathmandu Valley. ACHR supported groups of community leaders and their NGO and government supporters from India and Thailand to join the Kirtipur project inauguration, share ideas about community upgrading and people-driven housing and to attend the women’s savings federation’s annual gathering, along with women and men community members from 22 districts around Nepal.
World Bank Social Policy Foum
Somsook addressed the World Bank’s Social Policy Forum in Tanzania on the social dimensions of development policies.
12-15 December.
Exchanges within and outside of Cambodia
Community upgrading projects under UPDF have expanded to 14 cities in the year 2005. Local authorities have been supportive to UPDF’s works and have participated in several community exchange activities inside and outside Cambodia. Recently, Phnom Penh’s municipal officials joined with the Cambodian team to the Laos event in December.
Expansion of Saving in Laos
CODI (Thailand) and the Loa Women's Union renewed the MoU pledging support to the Laos community network for the next 2 years in a 3-day event, from 5 – 7 December. ACHR supported the participation of community groups from Cambodia, India, Thailand and Vietnam, who together with hundreds of local community members and Lao Women’s Union staff from 5 provinces participated in the 3-day event, including field trips to communities under the Pak Ngum saving and credit program.
November
Mongolian Ministers Exchange with Thailand
A delegation from Mongolia, including the Minister of Construction, the Deputy Finance Minister and several Parliament members, i met with Thailand’s PM, Deputy PM and local communities. Somsook had a chance to discuss with the Minister of Construction the need to start a pilot project in Ulaan Baatar to kick start a larger programme of community development in Mongolia.
A Thai team helped start a grassroots savings network in Mongolia in 2005
Somsook in Europe
Somsook Boonyabancha
met with donors Selavip and Cordaid to update them on ACHR activities and to discuss how to coordinate a common direction. Somsook also addressed a seminar in Denmark on the topic of Tsunami Rehabilitation and Communities.
Visit to Sri Lanka's Tsunami Network
Somsook Boonyabancha and others from ACHR in Bangkok met with the Sri Lankan Tsunami Network and visited tsunami affected sites as far as Gaul.
October
ACHR - CODI HABITAT DAY Events
10,000 slum dwellers at Suan Luang, Bangkok
150 community leaders and others from 15 countries
A thousand or so suit-less community people at UN-ESCAP
Field visits to 10 Thai Cities to see people centred city-wide up-grading
Launch of ACHR's Understanding Asian Cities Book
What has happened with Asia's urban poor since 1987 ? HERE
ACHR Annual Meeting
in Bangkok following Habitat Day's events
3rd Regional Dialogue of Tsunami Affected Communities in Asia
In collaboration with UNDP, ACHR organised a meeting in tsunami affected Phang-Nga, Thailandattended by groups from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia. Participants also joined the HABITAT Day events in Bangkok.
Fr Jorge Anzorena - Thailand Advisory Visit
Focus: Fr Jorge will visit numerous communitie sinBangkok, in Tsunami affected Phuket and Phang-gna as well as Aceh, Indonesia and Cambodia - to advise ACHR on future activities.
CITYNET Congress Hanoi
ACHR is the NGO representative on the Exec Board of CITYNET
Meeting held in conjuction with UNESCP with a focus on Localising MDG's
Expansion of UPDF Concept to other cities in Cambodia
10 more cities are initaiting Urban Poor Development Funds based on experience of UPDF in Phnom Penh. Exchages have occurred between the groups in Cambodia and Thailand. Up-grading projects have been initiated.
September
Thais to Mongolia
Advisory visit by Somsook Boonyabnacha and a Thai team
Focus: on community actions - a followup to Arif / Maurice visit to Mongolia ( report is on our web site) and Mongolia visit to Bangkok and Udonthani in June 2005. -
- The Thai team started Savings groups and surveys in various communities in Ulan Batar-
August
Zimbabwe to Indonesia Exchange
Focus:
team The Zimbabwe team helped Indonesian communities with Enumerations
- surveys of ther communities
Philippines leaders to East Timor
Focus: Continuation of Savings Group expansion in East Timor
Small ACHR Annual Meeting
A number of ACHR friends will meet in Phuket, Thailand to:
Plan and reflect on past and present ACHR activities
Plan a larger regional process on CIty- Wide Upgrading of urban poor settlements.
Discuss the concept of Social Production of HABITAT in the Asian context.
July
Phnom Penh and 7 cities Cambodia Exchange
Community leaders from 7 cities in Cambodia met in Phnom Penh to learn from community groups associated with UPDF up-grading and savings. Vietnam to Thailand Exchange
ENDA Vietnam brought community groups and support groups to Bangkok to learn from the grassroots network in Thailand. 14-20 July.
Phnom Penh Governor and City officials Exchange to Bangkok
The Governor of Phnom Penh and a staff team visited CODI's Bann Mankong city-wide upgrading programme.
Enumerations / Surveys in Indonesia
At the end of this month UP Link network in Indonesia will begin an extensive mapping and enumeration of urban poor in cities throughout Indonesia - it hoped that an SDI team from South Africa will come to help. June
Sri Lanka Tsunami Network Meeting
Sri Lanka tsunami Network met in Galle to decide activities for the coming month. Summarized on our web site: Here
Mongolia, East Timor, Nepal, Cambodia Field trips in Undothani Thailand
Udonthani (Thai) communities hosted groups from Mongolia, Nepal, East Timor and Cambodia to field trips to 4 community based up-grading projects. These countries were attending a workshop hosted by ESCAP in Thailand. Mongolian group also took field trips in Bangkok.
Thai's to Laos Workshop 5 Cities Expansion
A group from CODI and associated savings groups went to Laos to help plan to the expansion of the Lao grassroots savings process beyond Vientiane and surrounding districts to 5 more cities in Laos. See Laos savings groups HERE
May
Advisory Program Vietnam
Arif Hasan / Maurice Leonhardt met with coordinator of Vietnam's 8 City Network to help plan future activities and advise on a future process plus a new initiative involving vertical slums ( deterioration of high rise buildings) in Vietnam.
Newsletter Stories Aceh
Tom Kerr visited Banda Aceh to prepare stories of recovery for ACHR's next newsletter. Sri Lanka Tsunami Network Meeting
Sri Lankan groups held their second combined meeting to plan tsunami recovery efforts.
Wardah Hafidz Receives Korean Award
The May 18 Memorial Foundation on Friday announced Wardah Hafidz as the winner of the Gwangju (Kwangju) Prize for Human Rights in recognition of her contribution to the advancement of human rights of the poor and the democratization of Indonesia. See our web site HERE. April
Cambodia Exchange to Thailand & Pakistan
ACHR helped support a group of 11 Cambodian NGO's coordinators to visit Thailand and Pakistan. The focus was on information collection and dissemination, building and strengthening a network of stakeholders, and conducting research and developing alternative policies to influence the government. The Cambodian NGO's are expecting to develop new strategies in their supportive roles and in supporting networks of community groups.
Newsletter Stories from Thailand
Thomas Kerr visited Thailand southern tsunami affected communities in preparation for the next ACHR newsletter which will feature stories from communities and their recovery efforts. Preview HERE
Tsunami Asia Representatives to Germany
MISEREOR invited representatives involved in Tsunami Rehabilitation efforts in India, Indonesia and Thailand to Germany to meet with donor agencies and government officials.
March
Bangladesh Exchange with Thailand
Two representatives from Coalition of the Urban Poor in Bangladesh visited Thailand to prepare a larger exchange focused on community savings and upgrading. Regional Tsunami Survivors Dialogue in Sri Lanka
Tsunami affected community representatives from Indonesia, Thailand, India met with Sri Lankan affected groups and supporters in Colombo to discuss strategies and initiate stronger links between local groups .There is coverage on our web site HERE
February
City Wide Community Upgrading Workshop in Phnom Penh
A large workshop in Cambodia on community upgrading and advisory visits by Somsook. Update on Cambodia HERE
Preparation for Tsunami Dialogue
ACHR staff went to Sri Lanka to help prepare a tsunami Survivor's Dialogue;
Dialogue for Tsunami Affected Communities in Thailand
A workshop was held in Phang-gna for Thai tsunami affected communities.
January
First Asian Dialogue for Tsunami Affected Communities and Support Groups
The tsunami regional meeting in Phuket bought together small numbers from Indonesia, Thailand, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Visits to Aceh and Sri Lanka
ACHR advisory visits to Sri Lanka and Aceh.
Burma Visit to Thailand
A group from Burma were hosted by CODI with field visits to community upgrading processes.
2003 - 2004 ACHR Activities Calendar
December 2004
Consultation Visit to Bangladesh
Somsook Boonyabancha (ACHR Sec Gen) will visit to Dhaka Bangladesh at the invitation of various urban development groups to discuss potential ACHR interventions Dec 4-6
Bangladesh Team Exposure To Thailand 16 -18
Focus: Slum Upgrading by communities and savings.
An integrated team of community and government from the UNCHS urban project in Bangladesh will attend an exposure to Thailand's Bann Mankong process - the group will be sponsored by the UNCHS project. The group will also visit Cambodia.
November 2004
City Alliance in Durban Meeting
ACHR has members on the Advisory Board of CITY Alliance Sept 31 to Oct 5
Young Professionals Group Exposure
YP's from China Japan Philippines to Cambodia and Bangkok
ACHR and
Selavip – Oct 26 to Nov-04
CITYNET Lyon France
ACHR is the NGO representative on the Executive Committee of CITYNET 14- 18
City Development Strategy Conference in Hanoi
Somsook Boonyabancha will present the case of Bann Mankong
24-26
Indonesia Grassroots Exposure to Bangkok
Focus: Slum Upgrading, Savings and Alternatives to Eviction
9 Communities from Surabaya involved in waterfront redevelopment
26 Nov – 01 Dec
East Timor follow-up and Field visits in Bangkok
Members of the CIty Alliance Slum Upgrading project in Dili along with the Minister for Tourism and development will visit Bangkok and ACHR as a follow up to ACHR intervention in ET earlier in the year,
29 th to Dec 4
Bangladesh Groups in Bangkok
Government officials involved with the UNCHS cities project in Bangladesh will have field visits and meetings on Thailand's Bann Mankong programme - the group is returning via BKK from the CDS meeting in Hanoi.
OCTOBER - 2004
Understanding Asian Cities
Core Group meeting on Understanding Asian Cities Meeting in Bangkok
Sri Lanka National Workshop
Focus areas: Up-grading in low income settlements, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Drainage systems: to be undertaken by community themselves. On the last day of the workshop 2.000 members from the Women's Development Bank Federation's urban sector will participate. October 20 -25
National Convention of NSDF India
National Slum Dwellers Federation will hold their national convention in Mumbai, India Oct 1- 2
Exploratory Visit to Myanmar
Fr Jorge Anzorena and Maurice Leonhardt - more soon on this
SDI - Exchange: Kenya government officials to Mumbai and CODI Thailand
Minister of Lands and Housing has indicated that he and a team of three senior government officials will visit India and Thailand .
While in India, the team is keen to study the TDR system in Mumbai, and the structure and operation of the Mumbai Metropolitan Planning Authority . The relocation of households occupying the railway buffer and the Mumbai sanitation projects would also be of great interest.
In Thailand - the structure and operation of CODI - ACHR's focal point in Thailand
SEPTEMBER
World Urban Forum Barcelona
Various ACHR and SDI members will attend
Fr Jorge Anzorena in Thailand - Sept 28 - Oct 28
AUGUST
Indonesia Exploration Update
Fr Norberto ( Philippines Homeless Peoples Federation) and Maurice Leonhardt (ACHR) visit to Jogjarta, Semerang and Surabaya - Indonesia
SUPF Activity Cambodia
Jockin and Somsook in Phnom Penh for Federation and UPDF re-structuring
JULY
Exchange Visit Philippines to East Timor
Focus on starting savings Groups in Dili by the Philippines Federation members. 25 -31 July
Young Professionals Workshop Cambodia
URC Phnom Penh will hold workshop and practicum to recruit YP's for technical advice to communities.
Field Visits in Bangkok
For international participants attending "Poverty and Good Governance workshop in Bangkok
Philippines Exchange to Thailand
Focus on Networking Savings and comprehensive up-grading and the Ban Mankong programme. 10 -14 July
JUNE
Housing Finance Workshop
Housing Finance Meeting. International participants IIED, SDI and ACHR Bangkok June 11-13
Housing Rights and Eviction Workshop - UN-ESCAP
Many ACHR members from the region will attend this workshop in Bangkok
June 27 - July 2
Exchange Thai's to Japan
Focus on Upgrading in preparation for extensive up-grading in Thailand under the Ban Mankong process. Integrated team of city officials. NGO's and community leaders. June 3 -7
MAY
Cambodia Savings Restructuring Workshop
Workshop Cambodia on Savings Restructuring and Upgrading includes regional and international participants from Ghana, Nepal, Thailand and India May 23 –24
Nepal UPDF Launch
Launch of Urban Poor Development Fund in Nepal includes regional and international teams from Ghana. Thailand. Indonesia May 30 31
Exchange Thai's to India
Focus on Upgrading in preparation for extensive up-grading in Thailand under the Ban Mankong process. Integrated team of city officials. NGO's and community leaders. 6 - 10 May
City Alliance AGM Bangkok
ACHR / CODI attendance and arrangement of field visits in Bangkok
Visit Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand
by Gregor Meerhpol - MISEREOR
APRIL
City Alliance CDS review in Philippine
Somsook Boonyabancha in Manila meeting with Philippines groups
ACHR Advisory Process
Maurice Leonhardt to Phnom Penh
UN Task Force on Evictions New York
attended by ACHR and SDI representatives April 18 -20
MARCH
Understanding Asian Cities Workshop II
Analysis and research into the functioning and structures of 8 cities across Asia has been ongoing since June 2003. In March, these researchers came together to present their results and conclusions. The workshop noted important similarities and trends in each city and also brought a clearer understanding of the changing nature of Asian cities . - held in Hanoi March 29 -30 2004.
SDI Meeting Bombay
Focus: Planning events SDI; Urban Poor Funds mechanisms, Cities Alliance and Cliff Funds Feb -March200Pakistan Peoples Tribunal on Evictions
Peoples Tribunal on Evictions and Large Scale Projects
– National Workshop in Pakistan March 25 27
FEBRUARY
City Wide Up-grading workshop in Cambodia Feb 10
Laos Workshop: Focus on Savings and Credit Feb 29
JANUARY Indonesia – South Africa Exchange
After SDI representatives from South Africa visited community groups and established savings groups in several Indonesian cities, they have invited a group to visit communities in South Africa. A group of perhaps 10 community people involved in savings plan to visit the South African groups in January 2004.
Nepal to Thailand Exposure
Government, NGO and community representatives engaged in forming new partnership urban poor funds facility in cities in Nepal will visit Thailand to see the CODI experience and the Ban Mankong Programme.
SDI Exchange South Africans to Mumbai and Cambodia
World Social Forum in Bombay India
Will be attended by ACHR members from India, Indonesia and the Philippines Focus: Housing Rights and Alternatives to Eviction.
Advisory Cambodia
Somsook and Jockin Jan10 -11 to Phnom Penh to support the large scale upgrading process going on in Phnom Penh.
Slum Upgrading Inauguration -
National Slum Dweller's Federation/Mahila Milan Housing Project Inauguration. As communities and municipalities in Phnom Penh and throughout Thailand prepare for city wide planning for slum upgrading, they will visit the community inauguration in Mumbai to experience an alternative technical and partnership arrangement for upgrading. January 2004.
ACHR Review Planning Steering Committee Meetings
ACHR held an executive meeting in mid-January to review the role and objectives of ACHR looking at a plan of action for the coming years. The meeting drew some new and emerging actors in the region into this forum of reflection and planning.
2003 DECEMBER
Bangladesh Exchange with Cambodia and Thailand
FOCUS: Savings and Credit, Income generating loans, Environmental Improvement. This exchange is being supported by UNCHS - DFID programme in Bangladesh and ACHR groups will host the participants .
Urban Poor Development Fund in Kathmandu.
The women's federations in Nepal will celebrate their annual workshop in December, together with savings groups from other countries, and in particular, to celebrate the coming launch of a Kathmandu Urban Poor Fund in cooperation with the Municipality of Phnom Penh and Lumanti. Dec 1 - 4
Workshops on Up-grading Communities in Phnom Penh
From ACHR - Somsook, Jockin, Khatri, Somsack, Wutipun,Toon
ACHR Newsletter : Special Issue on Evictions (No 15)
The situation of evictions throughout Asia, focusing on strategies for preventing and avoiding evictions being pursued and achieved by communities. The newsletter is coming at a time when evictions remain a hot issue around the region, and when pushing for win-win solutions is most urgent. The newsletter was posted out in early December 2003
SDI - Slum Dwellers International -
Zimbabwe Hopeless People's Federation 5th Anniversary Celebrations
HIC - Habitat International Coalition InWent Meeting in Cebu Philippines
11 14 Dec
NOVEMBER 2003
SDI - ACHR :Namibian groups in Thailand and Cambodia - Exchange
Focus: Savings and Credit, Community Improvements, Housing for the Poor
24 Nov to Dec 5
SDI - ACHR - Sri Lankan Women's Development Bank Federation anniversary and program launch
Thailand and Nepalese women's savings groups attended the above activity as well as others from India and SDI. Nov 8-11
The WDBF organised a large rally to focus attention on the housing needs and solutions for poor families, in celebration of Habitat Day. The rally brought together high level government authorities and around 10,000 women to highlight the potential for cooperation between the local and central authorities and the people's movement to bring lasting and fair development.
UPLINK NETWORK EXCHANGE JAKARTA
The Uplink Network of savings groups from 10 cities in Indonesia met in Jakarta against the backdrop of HABITAT day. FOCUS: Exchange on savings groups formed over the past 2 years . Meetings were also arranged with National Govt to discuss Alternatives to the potential evictions in Surabaya and Jakarta.
Advisory Cambodia / Chiang-mai
Arif Hasan met with groups in Chaing-mai and Cambodia in a follow up to the Understanding Asian Cities research process ( see above February workshop) - Arif will attend the IIED Board Meeting in London 18-21Nov
Anna Muller Namibia - 2 weeks with the ACHR CODI - Bangkok and Nepal
Laos - Savings Groups
Anna Muller / Maurice Leonhardt and Toon to Laos 20 –22nd to follow up on ACHR / CODI exchanges in Savings and Credit and Income Generation activities in Association with the Lao Women's Union.
OCTOBER 2003
Thailand – Japan, Indonesia and Denmark
Thai Bann Mankong” project to upgrade slum communities in 200 cities across the country continues to rapidly expand and innovate. In the process, many new community leaders, workers, academics and supporters are becoming involved in new and challenging ways. To support their development and broaden their experience of alternatives, several combined exchange visits which will act as trainings will be arranged for mixed groups of community, city government, CODI staff and other supporters who show the greatest drive and potential. In both Japan and Indonesia, the visits will look at how upgrading to high-rise developments can be modified to suit the poor without sacrificing community, as well as looking at the roles of various actors, including academic institutions. In Denmark, holistic approaches to planning and developing energy, waste and transport efficient communities will be explored. The exchanges will be funded jointly by DANCED, CODI and ACHR.
Video at the Urban Resource Center Karachi Pakistan
Maurice Leonhardt, TAP Coordinator visited Karachi to help train staff of the OPP and URC on video documentation of their activities and others in Pakistan. Recent video on public satellite TV on the Lyarie Expressway has helped Karachi's public in understanding of the ,number of forced evictions taking place and the economics of the project.
Somsook Boonyabancha to City Alliance Advisory Board Meeting
Sao Paulo 16 -18AUGUST 2003
Vietnam 5 Cities Network Development Workshop
After holding regional meetings in each 8 cities involved in the savings and credit and community development funds, a national level workshop will bring together all of these groups in Danang in August to look at how the network between the groups can be strengthened, and how is can bring strength to each of the cities through learning, exchange and cooperation.
JULY 2003
Regional Workshop : Housing Rights and Evictions in Asia
Workshop in Bangkok July 25 - 27. ACHR l collaborated with COHRE to examine current trends in Asia vis-a vis forced evictions. We also looked at what local groups are doing to resist. And strategies to strengthen local national, regional and international efforts. Participants from the Philippines, Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan.
Exchange Vietnam to Thailand
An ENDA sponsored group of more than 20 community and government representatives from Hue, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City will visit Bangkok in late July to explore the experiences in savings and credit groups and environmental improvements projects of Bangkok community groups.
Advisory Programme Cambodia
Abul Khatri from Orangi Pilot Project in Pakistan will spend time in Cambodia helping Young Professionals from URC, UPDF and SUPF in the comprehensive community upgrading activities over the next few months.
May Domingo will help out at the Urban Poor Development Fund in Cambodia.
JUNE 2003
Understanding Asian Cities
First workshop to discuss the parameters for research studies in 8 Asian cities. The process focused on City Planning and how it affects the urban poor. Teams of academics, city officials, young professionals and NGOs will undertake research for 4 months following the workshop and present their findings for a city level and regional analysis in Jan 2004. Participating cities are Chiangmai, Karachi, Surabaya, Puna, Hanoi, Phnom Penh and a city in China and Philippines. 26 27 June
Arif Hasan to Thailand and Cambodia - Asian Cities Research
follow up and Advisory role in City development Strategy for Phnom Penh.
MAY 2003
Cambodian Prime Minister - Large Event
Prime Minister of Cambodia Hen Sun attended the 5th Anniversary celebrations of the Urban Poor Development Fund, along with 5,000 federation members and representatives from 10 other cities in Cambodia, as well as international participants from 6 Asian countries. The international groups shared their experiences of community based slum upgrading which was the theme of the 3 day event. Dates 24-25-26 May,2003
Urban Resource Center Phnom Penh Recruiting Young Professionals
URC will held a workshop and practicum in urban poor communities for students of Phnom Penh's University of Architecture. In the past such activity has lead to many YP's working as volunteers and technical supporters to urban poor communities throughout the city.
Workshops for the 8 Cities Network in Vietnam April / March/ May
APRIL 2003
Workshops for the 8 Cities Network in Vietnam April / March/ May
Khatri Advisory visit to Phnom Penh
Anwar Rashid OPP Savings and Credit programme Pakistan, to visit CODI in Thailand and UPDF in Cambodia
APD2 Follow Up Workshop for UPLINK Indonesia
Thais exchange visit to Laos with focus on Savings Networks and Community Development Fund
MARCH 2003
Fact Finding Mission to Pakistan - Evictions
Slum / Shack Dwellers International SDI Meeting in UK
ENDA Hill-Tribes Vietnam Programme to visit Thailand's North
Help-o Sri Lanka Exchange to Thailand
Workshops for the 8 Cities Network in Vietnam April / March
Cambodian Young Professionals visit to Thailand YP's.
Gregor Meerpohl to visit Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia for MISEREOR
FEBRUARY 2003
Arif Hasan visit to Thailand, Cambodia and Hanoi, Vietnam
- beginning of Understanding Asian Cities activities for 2003.
Workshops in Cambodia: Community planning for Comprehensive Improvements ( CDS)
SDI - ACHR Follow up to APD2 South African Homeless Peoples Federation to visit 7 cities in UPLINK network Indonesia
JANUARY 2003
Vietnam 5 Cities Network Development Workshop
A review and planning workshop was held in Ho Chi Minh for the 5 cities development project. The meeting was important in charting the future of the network. At the time, several ACHR resource people attended to support and contribute to the process. Advisory Support Cambodia
Advisory Programme Cambodia
Two Thai trainers to help SUPF (Savings Federation) activities in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
SDI - ACHR Follow up to APD2
South African Homeless Peoples Federation visited 7 cities in UPLINK network Indonesia
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That's it as we know it ... at present
For a general overview of ACHR Activities
click HERE
Activities 2002 HERE
What happened January to March 2001 click HERE
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