Inspiring regional meeting in Kathmandu

In January 2023, members of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR, partner of the Network) and the Lumanti Support Group for Shelter met in Kathmandu for the first time after the COVID lockdowns.

This regional meeting gathered 45 participants from 13 different countries from ACHR network affiliated with different organisations, community groups and the Community Architect's Network.

Called "People are the key to the solution", Lumanti Joshi, programme manager at the Lumanti Support Group for Shelter, summarised it in a few words :

"It was wonderful to meet everyone in person after a long time and listen to all the inspiring stories, inspiring works done on the ground to make a positive difference in the lives of the communities. It had been an inspiring, rejuvenating regional meeting for all of us at Lumanti. It gave us more power and more inspiration to continue."

The organisations present:
POCCA and Co-Create Architects from Bangladesh, Hunnarshala Foundation from India, Sevanatha and Women's Bank from Sril Lanka, Urban Resource Center from Pakistan, Lumanti Support Group for Shelter from Nepal, Community Organisations Development Institute and community federation from Thailand, Urban Development Resource Center from Mongolia, Women for the World, Myanmar, JMRK, ARKOM Jogya and RUJAK Center for Urban Studies from Indonesia, Homeless People's Federation, PACSII and TAMPEI from Philippines and colleagues from International Society for Urban Health.

LUMANTI is a non-profit making organization established in 1994. It is dedicated to the alleviation of poverty in Nepal through the improvement of shelter condition. Since establishment, Lumanti has been focusing its work in the informal settlements and marginalized communities in the cities and towns of Nepal. It focuses on slum upgrading, housing projects, saving and credits, water and sanitation interventions, research, advocacy, strengthening community organizations and many more.

▶ Lumanti Support Group For Shelter website

The Asian Coalition for Housing Rights is a coalition of Asian professionals, NGOs and community organizations committed to finding ways to make change in the countries where their work is rooted and to promote the access to affordable and adequate housing and the production of inclusive cities.

▶ ACHR website