Whirlpool: Habitat for Humanity Asia Pacific Housing Forum sponsored and focused on building resilient cities and communities
Habitat for Humanity’s eighth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, which took place virtually from December 7-9, 2021, brought together 2,060 people and brought together over 180 speakers. The forum underscored the importance of multisectoral partnerships and improving access to safer, more sustainable and disaster-resilient housing for all, especially for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
The opportunity to be a judge on this panel gave me a unique insight into current innovations in housing for vulnerable and marginalized populations, and how companies like ours can support and be a thought leader. in the area of safer and more affordable housing for these groups. ”
This global housing forum was a major collaboration between Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat for Humanity International. Whirlpool Corporation is the Global Gold Sponsor.
The Asia-Pacific Forum four program tracks focused on building resilient cities and communities, innovative housing solutions and technologies, promoting sustainability in the housing sector and financing affordable housing. Economic growth and adaptation to climate change were the major themes of the conference. The forum also included side events, such as a training course on land tenure and land value foreclosure, the Third Youth Congress – which resulted in a Youth Declaration based on participant feedback and the grand premiere of the Innovation Awards.
Key elements of each housing forum include their best practice competitions, also known as the Innovation Awards. These competitions promote advances in creating affordable housing solutions and demonstrate the importance of collaboration, particularly through public-private partnerships. Each forum identified some of the most innovative initiatives in each region: in the categories of shelter technology, public policy and inspiring practices. Whirlpool Corporation sponsored the Inspiring Practices competition.
The Innovation Awards Committee presented videos of the top 12 innovators at the grand premiere on December 1, 2021, where the finalists presented their initiatives. A jury whose members work in the area of affordable and resilient housing, including representatives from Whirlpool Corporation, reviewed the submissions.
Whirlpool Brand and Head of Corporate Communications for Asia, Pansy Chan and Rosa Skinner, Head of Global Corporate Social Responsibility, helped determine the Inspiring Practices category winner: The Roof Loan from LaRaksha Social Impact Trust. LaRaksha provides loans to low income groups in rural areas in India and plans to improve the quality of shelter in vulnerable coastal and rural communities, while promoting the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. Their video submission can be seen here.
“The opportunity to be a judge on this panel has given me a unique insight into current innovations in housing for vulnerable and marginalized populations, and how companies like ours can support and be a leader. opinion in the area of safer and more affordable housing for these groups. “said Skinner.” Participating in programs or forums like this fits well with our corporate vision to improve life in the home. ”
