Slum Residents to Hold Parallel Africities Summit

Catholic parishes serving Nairobi’s informal settlements have organized a parallel summit alongside the upcoming pan-African summit on improving life in urban areas.

Under their umbrella organization, Kutoka Network, the parishes say they have been compelled to organize a parallel event to express the view of the slum dwellers who the network claims have been excluded from the fourth Africities Summit to be held in Nairobi from September 18 to 22.

The network said in a statement that slums were left out of the summit owing to the exorbitant fees levied on participants. The summit will focus on the theme, ‘Building joint actions for the effective realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in African Local Governments.’

“All the 8 MDGs are fundamental objectives of our work. We have always worked together with the people who face these problems. Hence, we do think that our participation to this summit would be an important occasion to share our experience and to express our view,” Kutoka Network said in an earlier statement.

Following is the alternative ‘Africities 2006’ programme of activities:

Cultural Festival: September 16, 2006, from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm at St John Catholic Church Korogocho. A competition of artistic talent from the slums. All the Africities delegates already in Nairobi are welcome to join the event.

Special mass for the slum dwellers and Kutoka Tent: September 17, 2006 at 11.30 am, Holy Family Basilica. A special Mass dedicated to slum residents and a full-day tent providing information on Kutoka Network and its activities (including an exhibition) at the Basilica grounds.

Exhibition, booth and critical presence: September 18-24, 2006 from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm at Comesa ground (in front of KICC). A booth providing information on Kutoka Network and the World Social Forum. There will be also an exhibition on slums and various activities. Artisans and artists from slums will show and sell their products.

African Slum Forum: September 21, 2006, from 9.30 am to 12.30 am in the Holy Family Basilica Hall. A conference where slum dwellers from different countries of Africa will share their experiences. There will be an exhibition.