HOUSING CONDITIONS WHICH SECURE HUMAN DIGNITY- KEY TO WORLD PEACE

ZAGREB, Feb 1 (Hina) - Housing conditions which secure human dignity represent one of the key elements in resolving international conflicts and establishing peace, president of the Regional Council for the European Continent of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Peter Goetz, said at the Croatian National Sabor on Monday. "We firmly believe that the Habitat process has become a key element in safeguarding peace around the world", Goetz said at the second regional conference of the Parliamentarians on Habitat from Europe, which is being held at the Sabor from Monday to Wednesday. "Only where people are able to live in conditions which secure their human dignity will it be possible to resolve problems potentially arising from conflicts over the distribution of scarce resources", Goetz said. The association Global Parliamentarians on Habitat is part of the United Nations, established in 1987 with the aim of harmonising urban planning, construction and environmental protection on the international, state and local levels. Its aim is also to improve housing conditions and quality of living, especially in cities. The host of the conference, House of Counties' President Katica Ivanisevic said in her welcome speech she hoped Croatia would be an excellent host of the event, given that it was still going through the phase of reconstruction of war-ravaged homes for thousands of its citizens. The conference, which is attended by about 40 parliamentarians from 14 European countries and Mexico, will tackle a series of issues regarding housing. The conference will end on Wednesday with the adoption of a declaration and a discussion on preparations for a World Charter on Local Self-Government. (hina) rml