The 60th Session of the Commission for Social Development – CSocD60 took place on 7-16 February 2022. The Priority Theme was “Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.”
During the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), as NGO CSocD Committee members we were actively involved in raising awareness on the Priority Theme. We signed the Civil Society Declaration on your behalf and this was presented to the ECOSOC member states by the Co-Chairs of NGO CSocD. The “Call to Action” in the Declaration was presented in seven videos in different languages. Watch it HERE.
The NGO CSocD Committee (we are members) held a Civil Society Forum (CSF) and other capacity-building and network events on the occasion of the Commission. During the CSF the members work voluntarily to organize events and manage social media to advocate for the priority theme of the commission.
The Civil Society Forum (CSF) had the following events:
- Orientation Session: Participants were introduced to the Commission’s organization of work, as well as the Priority Theme. This year we were happy to have a video from Nabanita Shome from Kolkata Mary Ward Social Service Centre (KMWSC). She shared about the advocacy work done by KMWSC to protect the children and women at India-Bangladesh boarder from trafficking.
- Networking event: The virtual networking session gathered the participants in small groups to get to know each other, present their work on the field, and share their expectations regarding the Commission.
- First Thematic Session: The first session focused on “Setting the Stage: A global overview on poverty, human dignity and well-being.” This session reaffirmed the urgent need for a New Social Contract, whereby social protections, access to affordable and nutritious food, decent work and access to the internet are recognized as fundamental rights for all. This session also took stock of the situation of global poverty in the world.
- Second Thematic Session: This focused on “Transitioning from Talk to Action: Towards a Hunger-Free, Green and Just Society.” This session highlighted the need for partnerships and participation, and the importance of giving decision making power to the grassroots level for the benefit of all.
- NGO Collaboration Session: This session was open to all NGOs interested in collaboration. It brought together organizations active on the ground and whose work focused on the eradication of hunger and poverty and/or inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods. Nabanita represented us and shared about the work of KMWSC in India.
You can read the Civil Society Declaration and watch all the events of the CSF, including Nabanita Shome in the Orientation Session. Click HERE.
This Commission takes place every year and the Priority Theme for CSocD61 2023 is “Creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a way of overcoming inequalities to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” We look forward to your participation and collaboration next year.
Author: Cynthia Mathew cj
