MINUTES FROM LSF MEETING - Thursday, 1 June

Present: Frank, Michael, Alan (Creative Forum), Jim (City Mine(d)), Teresa, Nico, Richard, Helena + ? (whose name I didn't catch) Chair: Frank Minutes: Helena

MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING:
Last meeting's minutes were generally agreed upon as to accuracy. Richard queried the last point - he said that he doesn't have a list of contacts to share, he was simply referring to a paper he had written on how to approach different groups.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL FROM ATHENS (RICHARD):
Richard gave a brief synopsis of the discussions that had taken place in Athens regarding World Habitat Day and the subsequent plans to convene a meeting in London in October.

World Habitat Day is an event that takes place in separate countries every year and its themes are those of housing and the environment generally. However, up until now, there has not been a joint European event and this gave rise to a debate amongst various groups at the ESF on how different countries could work together to create a joint event.

Interest in an international meeting in London was first broached at the seminar on "The role of Cities in an Alternative Europe", in which the LSF took part. Apparently, the decision was made to hold a meeting in London and it was agreed that the LSF would host the event. This discussion was continued at a further meeting on the Sunday of the ESF, with representation present from many countries, including Germany, Greece and Egypt.

It was decided at the Sunday meeting to spread the event out over a few days (instead of limiting it to just one day) and the dates agreed upon were 30 September-2 October. It was also decided not to just concentrate on housing issues but to include other urban themes. The Greek Social Forum, for example, are particularly interested in public urban space. The decision was also made to take action on one of the days (Monday 2 October) around local campaigns already happening.

SOME POINTS ON PROCESS:
Most people at the 1/6 meeting were on the whole very much in favour of the World Habitat Day event. However, it was pointed out that the decision, involving so many others within the LSF, should not have been made at the seminar. Proposals can be made at seminars, but not decisions. All the proposals, including those at the Sunday meeting, should have waited until the meeting on 1/6 to be discussed and then for a decision to be taken.

DEBATE:
Concerns were raised specifically about two points:
1) Housing is an important issue and should obviously play an important part in the event. However, concerns were also expressed that the event should not just be centred around housing and that other urban issues should be given their appropriate place. This is a good opportunity to look at all aspects of urban life, including transport, development, environment, as well as the governing systems currently in place and the People's Assembly. It would also be hoped that various creative means could be used to present the event, including photography and visual aids. Jim from City Mine(d) suggested that a space be created where there could be a central 'pooling' of ideas.
2) The workforce needed to create the event. Michael pointed out that the suggested week in October for the meeting is a particularly busy one for universities and he himself will be tied up with the registration of new students. It will also be difficult to find university (and therefore free) space to host the event.

FINAL DECISION:
It was generally agreed that the idea for the proposed event would be a good opportunity for the LSF and that we should participate in it and host the event, if possible.

NEXT STEP:

How to proceed: Several LSF people are going to an annual event in Essen organised by INURA (International Network for Urban Research and Action). The dates are 29 June-5 July. Representatives from other countries (including those who took part in the discussions at the ESF) will also be present. This is, therefore, a good opportunity to discuss further developments and plans for World Habitat Day.
There will be an LSF preparatory meeting on 26 June (probably at the Bartlett) to discuss any proposals that could be taken to Essen by those who are going from the LSF.

OTHER SUBJECTS DISCUSSED:
There followed a rather chaotic discussion on several issues, including how to open up the World Habitat Day event to include other themes. However, this was non-conclusive and will probably be continued at other meetings.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER:
18 June - CityMine(d) is holding an event at 2pm in the Jeremy Bentham Wing in UCL main building.
26 June - LSF preparatory meeting for Essen.
10 July - Next monthly LSF meeting (later than usual in the month as several people will be in Essen until 5 July).

LSF/Helena/mf