The focus in Baku at the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) was not on red carpets and film premieres, but on showcasing a documentary film on homelessness. Featuring Latyr Thioye, who is a former user of HOGAR SÍ - the programme set-up by none other than Hollywood icon Richard Gere and his philanthropist wife Alejandra.
In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Gere explains why he is so passionate about championing UN-Habitat and his personal involvement with HOGAR SÍ.
“My motivation for working with HOGAR SÍ stems from a personal conviction: homelessness is not inevitable – it is a social injustice that can be solved through a deep shift in understanding and approach”, he says.
“My wife Alejandra and I have been working with HOGAR SÍ for over ten years and have been able to closely follow its development and progress. In 2024, we joined the organisation’s board of trustees.”
He says he first learnt about the charity through his wife and stresses that HOGAR SÍ are “rigorous and highly committed, focused on respect to human rights and dignity, and driven by evidence-based solutions.”
