The Night of the Homeless
Citizens' movement is calling!

An event called the Night of the Homeless has taken place on the 17th of October, declared by the United Nations as the day against poverty and alienation, for three successive years. Now we are inviting new partners to participate in the event next autumn.

The organizers of the event agreed in their national meeting in Helsinki on the 15th of April on the following principle for their activity:

The Night of the Homeless Citizens’ Movement stresses
everyone’s basic right to permanent residence- a home of one’s own.

The values shared by the organizers are as follows:

1. We believe that homelessness is a national disgrace.
2. The reasons for homelessness are complex and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate the cause from the consequence. Because of this, people under the threat of alienation often become actively excluded.
3. We demand compliance with the Finnish Constitution according to which every person should be guaranteed the right to domicile.
4. Our compassion and active support is with the most unprivileged.
5. We stress cooperation beyond political or religious boundaries.

We believe that the most important goals in the near future are:

1. to reach zero tolerance in most municipalities in dealing with homelessness so that it will not be tolerated under any circumstances
2. to monitor the carrying out of The Scheme of Reducing Homelessness in 2002-2003, and
3. to demand the state to draw up and execute a scheme to abolish homelessness.

Last year the main coordinator of the event was Vailla vakinaista asuntoa ry. This year approximately 100 parties are involved.

For further information, please contact
Antti Honkonen , Elämäntapaliitto ry Haapaniemenkatu 14, 2.krs 00530 Helsinki
email: antti.honkonen at elamantapaliitto.fi