Worlds of Homelessness
WORLDS OF HOMELESSNESS - DAY 4: KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION AND WAYS FORWARD

Homelessness is approached differently in various disciplines and among different countries. “How is knowledge about homelessness generated? Can we compare homelessness and housing precarity in Germany and the US? How do issues around homelessness connect to informal settlements in the global South? How do we collect data, and how is this data used? How can the knowledge and needs of communities themselves become important drivers for knowledge production and ways forward?” were the key questions addressed by the panelist's presentations and the follow-up panel- and audience discussions on day 4.
 
A special screening of “The Advocates” by Remi Kessler followed by an arresting Q&A with the filmmaker and special guests Rudy Salinas and Mel Tillekeratne, two of the advocates portrayed in the film, and a reception catered by Homegirl Industries capped off the eventful panel series.
 
Panelists: Jutta Allmendinger from Berlin, Germany, is president of the WZB Berlin Social Science Center and one of the first Thomas Mann House residents who researched homelessness, in particularly working homeless in Los Angeles, continuing her research in Germany.  Hilary Silver, currently professor and chair of the Department of Sociology at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, has researched homelessness in the United States amongst many other related issues. Cristina Cielo has worked with informal settlements in Ecuador as well as questions regarding homelessness in the Philippines. Charles Porter is a member of the United Coalition East Prevention Project (UCEPP) and a community activist in Skid Row.