EXPERIENCE FROM THE COHORT FOR RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENT
URBAN MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN SETTLEMENT

Nicky Nzioki
Research Co-ordinator

Cohort for Research on Environment,
Urban Management and Human Settlement (CREUMHS)
P.O Box 48974, Nairobi, Kenya.
Phone: 254-2-724525 / Fax: 254-2-718549

OUTLINE OF CREUMHS

1. Name of Organisation : Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement
(CREUMHS).

2. Headquarters Address : Room 327, FADD Building, Opposite the YMCA, State House Road;
P.O.Box 48974 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254) 2 724525, Fax: (254) 2 718549
E-Mail: creumhs@elci.sasa.unon.org

3. Date of registration/incorporation

Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS) was first established in 1986 as an association and was later registered as an international NGO in the Republic of Kenya on March 11 1993 under section 10 of the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Act.

4. a. Purpose and activities of the Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management and Human Settlement (CREUMHS).

As stated in Section 2 of the Constitution And Rules of the Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS) , the Purpose and Mission of CREUMHS is engagement in non-political objects; to conduct Research on Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlements; To Advance Knowledge and Action around the fields of Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlements through Policy-Oriented Research and Information Sharing And Dissemination. of Research Results through Participatory Methods And Utilization.. Section 12 of The Constitution And Rules states the other dual role of the CREUMHS as an NGO are Training and Conducting of Research Findings Seminars and Workshops to promote the Utilization of Research Results undertaken And to build Networks and Extension among its membership.

b. Ways in which the Cohort For research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS) carries out its aims:

The Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS) promotes its objectives through:

Campaign and Lobbying efforts in Cooperation with other NGOs, Networks and Recognized Partners as stated in the Agenda 21 and the Habitat Agenda at National, Regional And International UN Fora ; Organization of Seminars, Conferences And Workshops; Exchange of Information among its membership at National, Regional And International Level; Facilitation of Country Exchange Visits between and among its Network members

5. a. Structure And Decision-Making Process of the Cohort For research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS).

The Governing Body Composed of all registered members meets once a year, elects a Management Committee composed Six Office bearers as stipulated in Section 4;

A minimum of Two Committee Members in line with Section 6 and a minimum of Two Trustees as required in Section 10a of the Constitution And Rules. These Management Committee Members are elected for a year and Manage the affairs of CREUMHS in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Governing Body and in line with the provisions as specified in the Constitution And Rules. The chief powers and functions of the Management Committee are spelt out in the relevant sections of the Constitution And Rules.

b. Relationship with Government with respect to Management as well as to the Orientation of the Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS) activities:

CREUMHS has participated in the preparation of the National Plan of Action and The National Housing Strategy for Kenya since 1992. CREUMHS is a member of The National Steering Committee on the Implementation of The Habitat Agenda.

CREUMHS acts as the convenor of the NGO inputs to the preparation of the National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) and the Coordination of NGO Inputs on Environmental issues to The Social Dimensions of Development (SDD) Project of the Kenya Government. In collaboration with The National Council For Science And Technology with in the Ministry of Research of the Kenya Government, CREUMHS has been involved in a joint Research Project on The Valuation of Biodiversity in Kenya with financial support from the Government of Canada through The International Development And Research Centre.

6. Membership:

Under Section 3 of the Constitution And Rules of the Cohort For research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS), any NGO, major groups, national or international professional body, voluntary agency, research, scientific or educational institution, an important part of whose activities are concerned with one or more aspects of Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement; and any other organization, individuals concerned or interested in Environment And Human Settlements problems, subject to the approval of the committee become a member on payment of the entrance fee.

7. Current List of Office Bearers of CREUMHS

Dr. Willy Mutunga Chairperson (Kenyan)

Professor Peter Kimuyu Vice-Chairperson (Kenyan)

Nicky Nzioki Secretary (Kenyan)

Stanley Mutiso Treasurer (Kenyan)

Nicholas Maingi Vice Treasurer (Kenya)

Prof. Henry Wood Committee Member (English)

Harold de Souza Committee Member (English)

Ulla Johndotter Committee Member (Swedish)

Prof. Roger Flannagan Trustee (English)

Bengt Eresund Trustee (Swedish)

Ank Linden Trustee (Dutch)

Anne Ngugi Legal Adviser (Kenya)

Major Focal Points

Kauna K. Youth For Habitat/Habitat Agenda (Namibia)

Onyango J.M World Scouts Bureau (Kenya)

Sheila Kawamara Women & Children Network (Uganda)

Harrington Njere Community Grassroots/CBOs (Zambia)

Shem Chaibva ICLEI(Africa) /Local Agenda 21's (Zimbabwe)

John Munuve NGO Council/Advocacy (Kenya)

Mohamed Soumare ENDA-Tier Monde/Environment (Senegal)

Cecilia K. ELC/Environment (Kenya)

Elijah Agevi Shelter Forum?Habitat Agenda (Kenya)

Kagai Bill SHEC/Youth Forum (Kenya)

Patricia K. RATIS/Technology (Zimbabwe)

Rose Lidonde NETWAS/Partcipatory Network (Kenya)

C.M. Mbatha ARUNET/Participatory Network (Kenya)

Prof. Kibwana CLARION/Governance (Kenya)

8. a. PAST AND CURRENT ACTIVITIES

CREUMHS contributed in mobilising NGOs and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to participate in the UN International Year for Shelter for the Homeless (IYSH) Conference held in Nairobi in 1987 under the United Nations Centre For Human Settlements (UNCHS/HABITAT). Since then CREUMHS has played a major role in articulating the role of NGOs in Human Settlements and specifically during the 13th, 14th, 15th, and the 16th Sessions of The UN Commission on Human Settlements organized by the UNCHS(HABITAT). CREUMHS was a member of the NGO International Facilitating Group (IFG) during the PreCom I, II & III of the UN Conference on Human Settlements- HABITAT II. Under the NGO IFG, CREUMHS played a key role in the coordination of the NGO inputs to the Committee II of the HABITAT II Conference in Istanbul, Turkey in June 1996. In consultation with the UNCHS (HABITAT), CREUMHS convened the NGO Forum during the 16th Session of the Commission on Human Settlements in April/May 1997. Since June 1996 after Istanbul, CREUMHS in consultation with the UNCHS(HABITAT) -Best Practices Office, developed a Research Project on the documentation of NGO inputs to the Best Practices Local Leadership Programme in the Lusophone and Anglophone Regions in Africa. This Project is supported with funds from the Canadian Government through the International Research And Development Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa. CREUMHS is the focal point for all NGOs participating in the Best Practices Local Leadership Programme.

CREUMHS has been active in the CSD NGO Steering Committee activities in lobbying and campaigning for increased NGO recognition by the United Nations in all the sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) . In the just concluded UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the CSD in June 23-27, 1997, CREUMHS played a major role in the coordination of NGO

inputs to the Sectoral Issues of the Main document. In addition to working with the CSD Secretariat and the CSD NGO Steering Committee, CREUMHS was active in conducting NGO Strategy Briefing Sessions and played a key role in getting the Secretary General of the UN , Koffi Annan to address the NGOs attending the UNGASS in June 1997.

b. PLANNED ACTIVITIES

In addition to on the on-going work on the implementation of activities related to the outcome of the Habitat Agenda and Agenda 21, a number of other activities are planned to be initiated in line with the Multi-Year Programme of Work for The Commission for Sustainable Development and the Mid Term Work

Programme of The Commission on Human Settlements on the Implementation of the Habitat Agenda. These planned activities include:

i. To promote local activities at national and regional levels to implement fully the commitments made at the UN Conference on Human Settlements (HABITAT II) consistent with its report, and Agenda 21.

ii To establish National Networks of NGOs involved in sustainable development in Africa to ensure that the NGO community involved in sustainable development in each country is effectively organized for maximum participation in National Councils of Sustainable Development..

iii. To undertake a Research Project of gathering information on efforts by African Countries to incorporate the recommendations of other major UN Conferences in National Sustainable Development Strategies.

iv. To popularize and provide a Forum for the exchange of National Experiences of African NGOs and Best Practices in the area of Sustainable Development..

v. To Disseminate relevant information relating to the Multi-Year Programme of Work for The Commission for Sustainable Development including the overriding issues, Sectoral themes and cross-Sectoral themes of The 1998 Session, 1999 Session, 2000 Session, 2001 Session and The Comprehensive Review Session of 2002.

9. Participation of the Cohort For Research On Environment, Urban Management And Human Settlement (CREUMHS) in the work of The United Nations Economic And Social Council (ECOSOC):

CREUMHS intends to participate in the work of ECOSOC by initiating efforts to encourage greater participation of NGOs from developing countries in International Conferences convened by the United Nations. By working with ECOSOC and other UN Agencies, CREUMHS will disseminate relevant information on UN Conferences and their outcomes and in addition popularize national and regional prorrammes on the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and Agenda 21. CREUMHS aims to promote the spirit of both Rio and Istanbul where the UN showed willingness to adopt a new agenda-setting process by inclusion of the civil society in its discussions. CREUMHS aims to bring the Commission on Sustainable Development Agenda and the Habitat Agenda home to the local and national sustainability forum. The goal here is envisaged to link local action with global dialogue by encouragement of Recognition and Understanding by governments of the role and contributions of NGOs in all the Commissions of the ECOSOC. CREUMHS will promote efforts by ECOSOC which treat civil society organizations as partners since NGOs bring analysis, expertise and solutions to the Policy Dialogue and the implementation process.

CREUMHS will participate in all efforts by ECOSOC aimed at opening all the doors and processes to NGOs. One of the goals of CREUMHS is to use the CSD National Reports Process and Sustainability Plan Reports as an opportunity to work with major groups and Networks to assess progress, to quantify lessons learned and to promote accountability. CREUMHS is willing to participate in the work of ECOSOC especially in setting up indicators for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of varied projects initiated through the Commission on Human Settlements and the Commission for Sustainable Development.