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This is the United Nations: Human Settlement and Environmental Sustainability
February 28, 2008
By Zainab Abdul-Rahim
The United Nations Association’s Council of Organizations, as part of its seminar series, held a lecture on February 28 about the U.N. in regards to creating homes and sustainable living situations. The lecture featured Chris Williams, the head of U.N.-Habitat, and Jane W. Katz, the director of International Affairs and Programs at Habitat for Humanity International.
Williams began by describing how U.N.-Habitat works with governments, while Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that works on the ground.
Founded in 1978, U.N. Habitat is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with regional offices located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This organization works with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD tackles issues concerning land, water sanitation, the management and governance of urban planning, and financing the U.N. Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation.
Williams said that one challenge U.N.-Habitat faces is achieving long-term sustainability in countries. He argued that the problem is that providing housing is a long-term commitment that not all development agencies are willing to undertake. He also said the biggest problem is urbanization, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which is mostly rural. There are political, environmental, social, and economic consequences associated with this challenge, he added, noting that those who move to urban areas do not always return back to their homes. This is a problem because there are not many jobs in the cities when individuals move there. Soon, 80 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s cities will become slums, Williams said, adding that this trend needs to be addressed because of the health and environmental concerns involved, especially with regards to very inadequate sanitation services and population density.
Katz began her presentation by providing some background on the history and mission of Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1976. The organization is currently working in over 90 countries with equity as the “standard habitat model,” she said. Over the years, the organization has grown significantly and has begun to advocate “to alleviate poverty around the world.” According to Katz, the group’s mission is centered on poverty housing, and also getting “housing on the international agenda,” especially since there is hardly any funding for Habitat for Humanity’s urban programs.
Regarding the relationship between the two organizations, Katz said there is a U.N. cluster that includes U.N.-Habitat and Habitat for Humanity International. The two work together in outreach and advocacy, she said.
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