A new conference for the global social and affordable housing sector, The International Social Housing Summit (ISH•SUM), was launched by organisers Ocean Media Group, publishers of the UK's leading social housing magazine, Inside Housing.

Running on the 13 and 14 October 2010 at the renowned World Forum in The Hague, ISH•SUM will bring together senior practitioners. Focusing on the shared international housing challenges it will identify workable solutions faced by affordable housing organisations worldwide as they grapple with the increasingly difficult economic climate.

With a strong focus on practice rather than policy, every session will be designed to result in practical, solution-based action plans. All about the excellence of its content, ISH•SUM will deliver clear and tangible benefits to delegates, with inspiring ideas that can be taken away and implemented, and an emphasis on shared experience and collaboration.


The conference will make the most of delegates' time with two packed days of keynotes, case studies, workshop-style smaller groups and working round table lunches.

Three tracks will form the core of the conference with a focus on sustainable building and communities, financing and funding and housing for the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

Additional topics to be addressed by this senior audience include governance, key regulatory frameworks and scenario planning. There will also be Study Tour days to innovative projects around The Netherlands.

Trevor Barratt, CEO of Ocean Media Group commented: "There are many differences in social and affordable housing markets around the world, but there are also many commonalities. Not least of which is the desire to create sustainable communities delivering affordable housing for the most vulnerable in society. We’re delighted the conference is being supported by some of the foremost worldwide social housing associations, including the UK's leading organisation for housing professionals, the Chartered Institute of Housing."

(CD/BMcC)