The Philippine Alliance composed of Homeless Peoples Federation of the Philippines Inc. (HPFPI), Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives (PACSII) and (Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment, Inc. (TAMPEI) recently hosted the Asia-Pacific version of the “Learning Event on the Use and Application of Social Tenure Domain Model” held at Manila, Philippines, 22-25 October 2013. About 45 participants from nine (9) countries were able to learn the STDM concepts and functionalities.
As facilitated by UN-Habitat, the Global Land Tool Network in partnership with Slum Dwellers International (SDI), Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI), Asian Coalition for Housing Rights and UN-Habitat’s Manila Office co-organised the Learning Event and sent their representatives to participate in the workshop. The participants represent a diverse group of representatives from non-government organisations, private sector, grassroots organisations, government authorities and international institutions. The event lasted for 3.5 days which include a visit to a slum community in Manila.
The workshop highlighted the challenges in the land sector, the STDM concepts, the partnership behind the initiative, the lessons and experience of STDM pilot project in Uganda and hands-on training on STDM as an information tool. Also, the establishment of a Regional Learning Center for the use and application of STDM and related capacity development work was also initiated. A similar Regional Learning Center was also established in Uganda in 2012 and currently operational.
With the continuing support from Cities Alliance and Governments of Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, GLTN is able to develop pro-poor land tools like STDM and implement the related capacity development initiatives.