2nd City-Wide Conference of the Bangalore Homeless Programme

Aaladamara Foundation (A Banyan-Azim Premji Foundation Collaborative), Project Smile, and Thanal are proud to announce the 2nd city-wide conference on homelessness, to meet and address the need for collaborative responses to the pressing needs of the homeless in Bengaluru.

Despite concerted efforts, homelessness persists, driven by poverty, inadequate housing, mental health challenges, and social exclusion. This conference seeks to unite committed stakeholders, supporters, partners, and experts to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and devise innovative solutions to address this critical issue.

The conference extends an invitation to representatives from a diverse array of organizations and entities, including NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions, community-based organizations, corporate entities, and individuals passionately involved in addressing homelessness in Bengaluru and the state of Karnataka.

Date and Venue: The conference is scheduled to take place on 22nd June 2024 at the Bharat Scouts and Guides Auditorium in Bengaluru. Participants are kindly requested to confirm their participation via contact@aaladamara.org.

Conference Objectives:

Knowledge Sharing and Exchange: The conference will serve as a vibrant platform for dialogue and information sharing among stakeholders, including organizations, government representatives, academics, and individuals directly or indirectly connected with homeless populations. Participants will have the invaluable opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, successes, and challenges in addressing homelessness in the city.
Identification of Key Challenges: By identifying and meticulously analyzing root causes and key challenges contributing to homelessness in the city, participants can come together to collaboratively develop targeted interventions and policies. Understanding these underlying issues is fundamental for formulating sustainable solutions that can effectively address the multifaceted nature of homelessness.
Innovative Solutions and Best Practices: The conference will showcase a rich array of innovative approaches, programs, and best practices from both local and global contexts that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing homelessness. Through engaging case studies and interactive workshops, participants will glean invaluable insights into replicable strategies applicable to Bengaluru’s unique socio-economic and cultural landscape and will be able to draw parallels to other diverse socio-cultural contexts.
Advocacy and Policy Development: A crucial aspect of the conference will be exploring opportunities for advocacy and policy development aimed at addressing systemic issues contributing to homelessness. By actively engaging policymakers and advocacy groups, the conference aims to influence policy agendas and foster environments that uphold the rights and dignity of homeless individuals.
Collaborative Partnerships: Collaboration and partnership among stakeholders are paramount for developing sustainable solutions to homelessness. The conference will provide ample opportunities for networking and forging meaningful collaborations with government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, corporate entities, and academic institutions, fostering a culture of collective responsibility and action.

Key Highlights and Program Flow

Opening Remarks and Introduction
Panel Discussions and Interactive Sessions
- Panel 1: State responses to the needs of homeless people
- Panel 2: Innovative solutions and best practices from local and global contexts
Workshops and Case Study Presentations
Networking Opportunities
Closing Remarks and Future Action Plans

Information on Key Speakers and Attendees

Sanjeev Jain, NIMHANS
Prabha Chandra, NIMHANS
Tarique Mohd, Koshish, and The Banyan
Faraz Mohammed, The Banyan
Meera Muthukrishnan, IIIT-Bengaluru
Madhu Bhushan

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