On the 8th February 2024, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Loreto Generalate/Congregation of Jesus co-hosted a CSocD62 Virtual Side Event in collaboration with Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, VIVAT International and Medical Mission Sisters. The side event, ‘Not Leaving Behind Future Generations: How do we bridge the growing gap between generations and communities?’ was designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue surrounding poverty, as well as an opportunity to exchange policy ideas on how to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal to eradicate poverty.
This event was moderated by two Youth Representatives from IBVM UN NGO, Irene Cebrian and Kashvi Agarwal. Irene is an alumni from Loreto, Spain, and is currently studying Law in London. She is responsible for promoting UN values among students in Mary Ward schools in Spain. Kashvi is an alumnus of Loreto, India, and is studying Economics in Kolkata. As an IBVM Girl Advocate at the UN, she has moderated the International Day of the Girl Summit 2022 and facilitated dialogue at the 66th session of the CSW.
There were five panelists from around the world who generously shared their expertise, observations and experiences of poverty. The first panelist, Jaime Atienza Azcona, is the Director in Equitable Financing for UNAIDS. He is recognized as an international expert in financing for universal healthcare and education. Throughout his discussion, he shed light on critical aspects of the current global financing landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger cooperation to ensure economic and social justice.
The second panelist, Anell Greys Burga Estela, is a geologist from Universidad Privada del Norte – Cajamarca. She has been nominated as a Woman Rock 2022 by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the World Education Support Organization. She also serves as Director of Student Chapters, leading management across 15 regions in Peru. She presented on the underrepresentation of women in STEM in Peru and how this is correlated with lack of digital access and other inequalities.
The third panelist, Lauren Grant, is also a Youth Representative with the IBVM UN NGO. She is an alumnus of Loreto, Australia, and recently completed her undergraduate studies in Canberra. She discussed what poverty looks like in Australia and how rising costs of living are having a larger impact on youth. Lauren also shared a video from her mother, Marie Grant, who works directly with children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and are often victims of domestic violence.
The fourth panelist, Puja Dey, is a Rainbow Student Scholar, entrepreneur and customer service executive from India. She is currently working while simultaneously running a home based small fashion designing and crochet costume start-up business. She highlighted the connection between poverty and lower levels of education in India, with a focus on the impact of girls leaving school for marriage.
The final panelist, Brantella Williams, is a Sanctuary Scholar at York University pursuing an Honors degree program in Political Science and is also the Project Coordinator of S4 Collective. She is an advocate for equality in access to higher education and attended the High Level Political Forum last summer. She analyzed the intersectionality between poverty, displacement, and migration, showcasing the urgent need for inclusive policies that address the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities.
This range of diverse perspectives provided comprehensive insights into the challenges young people face, especially regarding poverty, gender inequality, and digital exclusion. Panelists highlighted pressing issues faced by the largest generation of young people globally and emphasized the need for inclusive policies rooted in social justice principles, underpinned by the pivotal role of education as a tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. These discussions on measuring poverty with intersectional concerns and addressing challenges like displacement, migration, rising living costs, and barriers to affordable housing provided thoughtful reflection.
This event was hosted by Janet Palafox ibvm, Mary Jane Caspillo mms, Marides Santos ssps, and Margaret Lacson mm. It could not be possible without the support from wonderful translators and tech assistants: Isabel Gortazar ibvm, Giovanna Muha cj, Patricia Rediu cj, Sarah Rudolph ibvm, Mahi Tripathi, and Ana Paula Mantegazza. Thank you to everyone involved.
Author: Lauren Grant, Youth Representative
