Voices from the slums

As the Housing Portfolio manager, I am constantly excited to see the entrepreneurialism of residents of slums, who are taking initiative to improve their own lives. A case in point was the striking presence of residents of slums themselves at this year’s World Urban Forum III, sharing their success stories in their own voices. The power of their attendance was notable - whereas the discussion rooms were often full, they were more than overflowing for those panels on the plight of the residents of slums and their new ideas for change.

Actually, what was missing in proportion were voices from the private sector, representing approximately 12% of attendees (up from 6% from the last year but still a relatively small percentage). It became clear that it was important for Acumen Fund and similar types to be present - to share our mission of bottom-up change, and to learn from, and tailor appropriate support to, residents of slums in their efforts.