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CSOCD 60 theme is: “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.” be held from February 7-16, 2022.
This week at the UN, the Commission on Social Development begins. The Civil Society Forum working group will kick off its FORUM with an Orientation on Friday, February 4.. The CSOCD working group has an excellent relationship with the Commission and its director, so much so that on the Commission website the Working group is highlighted with its agenda as well as that of the Commission that It will officially begin February 7th through the 16.. Each year a different theme related to the Sustainable Development Goals is announced. The focus this year’s theme is eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms. It is a timely theme considering the impact that the pandemic has had on food security and poverty worldwide.
Each commission is made up of a Bureau. Its role is the preparations for and in ensuring a successful outcome of the commission. Bureau members for this session are:
| Chair | H.E. Ms. María del Carmen Squeff | Argentina |
| Vice-Chairpersons | Mr. Stefano Guerra | Portugal |
| Ms. Hellen M. Chifwaila (Designate) | Zambia | |
| Mr. Jiakun Guo (Designate) | China | |
| Ms. Iwona Lula (Designate) | Poland |
The Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres offers a report each year.
We learned that almost 108 million people were pushed into extreme poverty in 2021 because of the pandemic. Those living in poverty which is ($1.90 per day) was raised to 711 million (as of June 2021). The undernourished increased worldwide. Food insecurity increased by 30.4 per cent (2.4 billion people, an increase of 318 million from 2019). Please read the GA’s report and his six recommendations. He is hopeful that Agenda 2030 will still be met.
In addition to the Secretary-General ‘s report, Civil Society produces a declaration. This declaration is what we as civil society see is needed to end poverty, hunger and other issues in the following years.
We invite you to share the Declaration in your networks! All signatures received by NGOs and individuals around the world will be shared with Governments and the United Nations at the opening of the 60th session of the Commission for Social Development on February 7th, 2022. Click here to view the Civil Society Declaration | Sign in support of the Civil Society Declaration 2022!
The Declaration proposes the following recommendations:
The Civil Society Declaration contains a ten-point Call to Action. The Call to Action is creative and doable. Here are some of the proponents of the document:
Please read the Declaration and sign it. The more signatures we have from people like you and me the more importance it takes on. We need your affirmation.
One more thing to assist you to follow along during the CSocD60. The Justice Coalition of Religious (JCOR) developed a guide that contains the schedules of the UN events, Civil Society Forum, slides, links to the UN website as well as social media. It’s an all-inclusive guide to this Commission. Please take advantage of it. It is an excellent tool. JCOR is made up of twenty religious’ congregations. The Dominican Leadership Conference is among the JCOR members.
I look forward to seeing you here at the CSOCD 60.
Wishing you a wonderful 2022. The U.N. is hopefully opening its doors to Civil Society. We have applied for a badge but have not received word yet if they will be granted. There are many commission meetings/forums planned for the first half of the year. Here are a few:
February: CSOCD 60: The theme is 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.
The commission will be held from February 7-16, 2022. The Commission is the advisory body responsible for the social development pillar of global development.
March: Commission on the Status of Women 66. The theme is Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programs. The dates are March 14th to 25th 2022.
The Twenty-First session of the Indigenous Peoples Forum will be held April 25 – May 6 at the UN building at this moment. The priority theme is “indigenous peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including free, prior and informed consent.
The International Migration Review Forum 2022: This will be the first Review Forum. It will be held May 10-13, 2022, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It is the primary intergovernmental global platform for Member States to discuss the progress on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and how it relates to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum will be preceded by a one-day informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearing on Monday, 9 May 2022.
COP 26 FINAL OUTCOME DOCUMENT
GLASGOW CLIMATE PACT
A Final summary of the outcomes not covered in previous UN Update
January 14, 2022
Affirmed Temperature Level:
Fossil Fuel
Dues
Loss and Damage
Forests
NEXT: Conference Of Parties (COP) meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement from Monday, November 7 to Friday, November 18, 2022 in Egypt.
United Arab Emirates prior to the United National General Assembly 2023.
On November 17, 2021, the new President of the 76th General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, sent an invitation to Civil Society NGO’s to come into the UN building for a conversation and dialogue about his vision and our concerns. It was the first time we entered the UN since March 12, 2020.
Here are a few pictures of the Religious NGO’s who attended the conversation. I believe one of the most powerful things he stated was that he would not attend any meeting at the UN unless it is gender balanced. This encouraging step for women.
His Honorable Excellency’s administration is based on five hopes. He calls his Presidency, a Presidency of Hope. They are:
General Assembly is made up of 193 countries. We must make decisions on matters as the international conscious of the world, a conscience of Hope.
World Toilet Day November 19, 2021
I remember my first November at the UN. I was amused by the large toilet outside the UN Headquarters. I was more amused than I was concerned. Until I learned the significance of sanitation and clean water for all. These stamps give us a clue about the importance of this worldwide day.
There are about 3.6 billion people now living without access to sanitation. This human health issue is an economic issue as well as health. This day moves us to action and implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
“The stamps depict three of the most important ways toilets, water, and hygiene add value to our lives.
Access to sustainable sanitation, clean water, and hygiene facilities helps to maintain healthy communities and stop the spread of deadly infectious diseases – including COVID-19.
British illustrator Gail Armstrong created these stamps. She specializes in paper sculptures. Watch this video to see how she brought these stamps to life! Enjoy!
Elimination of Violence Against Women
The 16 Days of Activism on the Elimination of Violence Against Women begins November 25th to December 10th. More than one in three women have experienced violence-that’s 700 million women or close to the total population of sub-Saharan Africa.
Gender based violence doesn’t just impact individuals but their economic stability as well.
If women are not healthy and safe, they cannot care for themselves, or support their families. There are various forms of violence, e.g. acid attacks, poisoning, discrimination, intimidation through harassment or killing of women purely basis of gender. In 2021, the focus is on Domestic Violence in the world of work. This is the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign. To learn more about this event and the areas of work here.
The military is now back in charge and has declared a year-long state of emergency. It seized control on February 1, 2021, following a general election in which the presidential candidate, Ms. Suu Kyi’s NLD party won by a landslide.
Though you may not know much about the country, we have Dominican Family there. Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested during 2021.
Here is a video composed by our Dominicans sharing a brief overview of the situation: We Have Family in Myanmar: Urgent Action Alert
A brief BBC article might help you with the historical background of the situation: Myanmar coup: What is happening and why? – BBC News
The Dominican Family seeks our support.
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