Last February 9, the 16th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, together with other experts, took part in a panel discussion entitled “Digital Technology at the Service of Ending Homelessness.”  About 120 people participated in this virtual meeting that was held online via ZOOM.

The initiative for the event came from the Vincentian Family, whose branches work together at the United Nations in New York (USA). The webinar is considered a “side event” to the 59th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development, which was being held that week. This kind of “side event”, organized by civil society, is very common at the United Nations .

Sister Teresa Kotturan, of the Sisters of Charity Federation, served as moderator of this parallel event. She praised the panelists who shared relevant information on how to employ digital technologies in order to provide more services and resources that will reduce homelessness around the world, especially now during the health crisis that has widened inequalities. Her speech is available at the end of this text.

The President General began his presentation by emphasizing that he was speaking not only on behalf of the SSVP, but above all on behalf of the Vincentian Family, responsible for creating the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA) and the 13 Houses Campaign which haws produced some wonderful outcomes. Renato emphasized that, since the foundation of SSVP, the Conferences have acted to reduce poverty and provide decent housing to the most needy people. He cited examples of concrete initiatives of SSVP to reduce homelessness in four places: the United States, Brazil, Canada and Nepal. President Renato emphasized that digital exclusion is one of the most harmful forms of social poverty.

The other panelists also contributed to the discussion on the topic. Bill Soward (Shelter Tech) stated that connectivity is a basic human right, publicizing a free Wi-Fi project in homeless shelters in the United States. Maheshwari Balan (Don Bosco Forum) stressed the importance of technology in getting children and young people off the streets where they experience many risks to their lives.

Lydia Stazen (Institute of Global Homelessness) spoke about the importance of talking institutionally about homelessness in international and governmental forums, and presented recent statistics on the subject. Finally, Rajarshi Sircar (Loreto Rainbow Homes) emphasized other problems related to homelessness, such as depression and drugs, constituting an additional challenge to social organizations fighting against this sad situation.

• Click here to see the lecture of brother Renato Lima, in PDF format
• Click here to watch the participation of brother Renato Lima.
• Click here to read the opening speech of Sister Teresa Kotturan, mediator’s side event.