英语课程计划-World Habitat Day（在线收听）

The first Monday in October each year is World Habitat Day. It was started by the United Nations. The UN said the idea is for us to “reaffirm that adequate shelter is a basic human right”. It also said we must “focus on the conditions of cities and towns…to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future”. The UN hopes this day will play a part in changing the future. The organization asks the world to “join us in support of World Habitat Day, as we raise our voices and declare that the lack of decent, affordable housing is unacceptable.” It says: “Durable, adequate housing can and should be made a priority everywhere- in your community, in your town, in your country, in our world.”

The United Nations is focusing on planning our urban future. It hopes to raise awareness of the need to improve the way designers build new towns and cities. There are major new challenges in the 21st century. For many people, housing is a serious problem. One-third of those who live in cities (one billion people) live in slums. They have no access to clean water or sanitation. These unhealthy conditions lead to disease and many social problems. Many cities and towns are also feeling the effects of climate change, population growth and economic instability. Many people lost their homes in the 2008-2009 financial crisis. World Habitat Day is a time to focus on these problems and to start working on solutions.