Götz explains the role of Parliamentarians © Götz

On 4 October, World Habitat Day was celebrated in Shanghai, China, according to the motto "Better Cities, Better Life”. This day is meant to inspire us to think about a better sustainable development for our cities and the right of everyone to adequate housing.

Jerko Rosin, Vice President of the European Regional Council of the GPH, represented the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat (GPH) at the celebrations.

Peter Götz, as President of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, was invited by the Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, to hold a speech before the visitors of the World Expo in Shanghai as part of World Habitat Day celebrations. In his speech on 7 October Götz explained his view of the role of parliamentarians in the newly founded World Urban Campaign and pointed out the importance of cooperation between the different actors in the habitat area.

On 13 October Peter Götz also held a Board Meeting of the GPH in Beijing, China. Amongst other things, preparations for the upcoming Global and European Forums of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, to be held in May 2011 in Zadar, Croatia, were made.

In addition, Peter Götz and Jerko Rosin represented the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat at the 6th Steering Committee Meeting of the World Urban Campaign, which was held from 8 to 10 October 2010 in Shanghai, China. The purpose of the Steering Committee Meeting in Shanghai was essentially to examine and determine the structures and objectives of the World Urban Campaign. Nicholas You was unanimously elected Chairman and Dr. Eugenie L. Birch Vice Chairman.