TOWARDS A URBAN POPULAR UNIVERSITY (UPU) zGeneral objectives:  to raise awareness on habitat, urban and housing issues by linking research, publication and learning activities  to empower habitants associations staff and volunteers in learning areas relevant to their work and struggles;  to facilitate intercultural learning experiences - critical and transformative culture on habitat issues.

IAI members and friends expectations zLearning about strategical organisational issues such as Planning and Assessment ztwo-thirds of organisations are giving priority to learning in terms of Peer organisations exchange and Collaborative relations zsame attention to Community/political action, Housing policies, Policy development and by organisational issues such as Communication, Resource management

Learning methods zMixed staff group approach zOn-line open learning zTraining in the following areas is considered to be useful by the respondents:  Strategic applications of ICT in their organisation  Network systems  Constructing an Information Intranet.

from a mechanistic to an ecological educational paradigm (i.e. learning communities) zfrom preparation for economic life ztoparticipation in all dimensions of the sustainability transition - social, economic, environmental zfrom competition zto co-operation, collaboration zfrom specialisation zto integrative understanding

First scenario zInternational and local/regional courses providing capacity-building for local associations of inhabitants. Such courses should involve different actors such as social leaders, local and international professionals, trainers, university scholars, etc. to build the capacity of inhabitant's associations, with the objective of strengthening their abilities to organise, articulate their demands to public authorities and carry out their own projects

Second scenario zDocumentation and systematisation of experiences of national and local associations of inhabitants, including the collection of data, regional/international conferences, publications on key issues/experiences, on-line databases, etc.

third scenario zon-line (free software - GPL) courses, documentation, mapping, conference and forum tools and databases to facilitate a framework for face-to-face exchanges and courses as well as proper distance learning

methodological approach ten key feature of research and learning activities: xare grounded in participants' experience and builds on their expectations and ideas xdevelop confidence and self-esteem xtransfer control and responsibility to participants xare participatory and active rather than passive xgroup-based, promote co-operative learning and working xfacilitate interaction and discussion to generate increased awareness and critical enquiry xbuild group identity and cohesion xencourage creative expression xdevelop problem solving, decision making and planning abilities xprovide effective communication means.

next steps  Internal IAI consultation (July 24 - September )  External consultation aimed at academic and international co-operation, sponsoring and fund- raising (July 24 - December )  Setting-up of a steering group and project proposal(s) (September April )  Pilot phase (June May 2006)