THE ASIA PACIFIC SHELTER and SETTLEMENTS FORUM (APSSF)

Vision: The Asia Pacific region has a strong and united community of Shelter and Settlement practitioners with appropriate skills to adequately address the Shelter and Settlement needs of the region in a timely and appropriate manner.

Mission statement: To foster a strong and vibrant Community of Shelter and Settlements Practitioners in the Asia Pacific region improving the practice of Shelter and Settlements practices.

Goal:  A regional community of Shelter and Settlements Practitioners actively own, direct and participate in a regular Shelter and Settlements Forum as the primary regional platform for networking, exchanging ideas, experiences, sharing solutions and lessons learned.

Key outcomes:           

1. S&S Practitioners in Asia Pacific have a strong, neutral and open platform to share learnings and experiences, host discussions and presentations on S&S issues
2. S&S Practitioners across Asia Pacific are better connected through the APSSF, fostering improved collaboration and practice across the region. 

Context:

Shelter and Settlement practitioners aim to ensure people affected by the crisis can live in adequate comfort, dignity and safety as they transition from a state of post crisis inadequate housing to more secure permanent housing. This may include work prior to disasters to reduce risk, during crisis and post crisis.

  Targets

The Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum:

1. Is conducted minimum bi-annually in locations throughout Asia Pacific, with online access available for remote participation
2. Is the leading regional platform with strong participation from a broad range of regional S&S Practitioners
3. Hosts a well-maintained online platform providing a repository of learnings and documents shared by practitioners from all previous Forums.
4. Maintains a contact list of S&S Practitioners’ sharing regular information and updates on S&S issues in the region.
5. Is well connected to national and international S&S coordination mechanisms within the region and other global, regional and country level S&S forums and coordination mechanisms

Background

The Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) is a platform for S&S practitioners across Asia Pacific, initiated in 2015 in Bangkok. It has grown in size and diversity, fostering a safe space for sharing experiences and best practices. The forum aims to build professional connections and understanding of S&S programming in the region. APSSF maintains a neutral, practitioner-led environment for open discussion and networking, encouraging participants to attend as independent practitioners, contributing to their professional development and the sector’s growth. The forum has been travelling to various countries with support from different government and non-governmental organizations.

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Timeline: Asia-Pacific Shelter & Settlements Forum (APSSF)

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