The 63rd Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD63) convened in New York this week, bringing together dignitaries, policymakers, and advocates from across the globe to address pressing issues of social equity, cohesion, and resilience. Against a backdrop of declining trust in institutions and growing inequalities, the five-days event underscored the urgency of fostering dialogue and action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and uphold the commitments made at the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development.
The session, chaired by His Excellency Mr Krzysztof Szczerski, opened with a call for unity and action, highlighting the interconnectedness of social development, human rights, and resilience in an era of frequent and complex crises. From ageing populations to youth empowerment, from social protection systems to digital equity, the discussions were as diverse as they were urgent. Here’s a detailed look at the proceedings of each day, alongside the side events that enriched the dialogue.
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Social Cohesion
The opening day of CSocD63 began with a warm welcome from the chairman, who set the tone for the session by emphasizing the critical role of trust in achieving social cohesion. “Trust is the bedrock of social development,” he declared, noting that while progress has been made, the erosion of trust in institutions poses a significant challenge to global solidarity.
Delegates from Iraq, Poland, Sweden, and Türkiye took the floor, with Türkiye’s representative highlighting the importance of protecting mothers and vulnerable groups, including LGBTQI persons, from violence. The session also featured remarks from the President of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, who was in attendance and reiterated the importance of solidarity in delivering on the 1995 Copenhagen commitments.
The Under-Secretary-General from the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Li Junhua, and the Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development, Liana Almony, also addressed the assembly. Their addresses found a middle ground on the need for inclusive policies and multi-stakeholder collaboration. A lively general discussion followed, with delegations sharing their national experiences and challenges in advancing social development.
Side Event: Realizing the Right to Social Security
The day concluded with a side event titled “Realizing the Right to Social Security: Ensuring Sustainable and Equitable Financing of Social Protection.” The event explored innovative financing mechanisms to expand social protection systems, particularly in low-income countries, and underscored the importance of universal access to social security as a human right.
Day 2: Addressing Inequality and Marginalization
The second day of the session delved deeper into the systemic inequalities that hinder social development. Kaisa Juuso, a prominent advocate for human rights, opened the discussions with a powerful statement: “Education is a basic human right that must be available to everyone.” Her words resonated throughout the day as delegates from around the world shared their experiences and strategies for combating exclusion and marginalization.
Betty Among Ongom of Uganda brought attention to the slow progress in eliminating social exclusion, particularly in African countries. “The international community continues to debate while millions remain subjugated,” she lamented, calling for urgent action to address inequality. Mohammed Jama, the Director-General of Djibouti’s Social Development Agency, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the challenges posed by desertification and internal displacement in his country. He outlined Djibouti’s Vision 2035, prioritising human capital development, peace, and unity.
Delegates from Botswana and South Africa shared their national initiatives, with Botswana committing to accelerating service development in vulnerable areas and South Africa reflecting on 30 years of constitutional democracy. “Social equity and inclusion are not just goals; they are necessities,” emphasised the South African delegate, drawing parallels between the country’s apartheid history and its ongoing efforts to build a cohesive society.
The day also featured interventions from Burkina Faso, Thailand, Uruguay, and Mexico, all of which emphasized the importance of respecting and maintaining basic human rights. Delegates from Slovenia, Oman, and Iran rounded out the session by focusing on family protection and policies to support women in challenged societies.
Side Event: From Copenhagen to Doha
A side event titled “From Copenhagen to Doha: Advancing the Global Social Development Agenda” explored actionable ideas for the upcoming Second World Social Summit. The discussion focused on poverty eradication, productive employment, and social inclusion, with a focus on partnerships to support vulnerable groups.
Day 3: Building Resilience in a Crisis-Prone World
The third day of CSocD63 shifted focus to emerging issues in social policy, particularly in the context of increasing global crises. A panel discussion on “Policies to Bolster Social Resilience” featured prominent speakers, including Ms. Angela Chomba Kawandami of Zambia, who highlighted the role of adaptive social protection systems in reducing vulnerabilities.
Michael Woolcock, Lead Social Scientist at the World Bank, spoke during the session, but it was a precursor to the day’s highlight.
Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Nigerian Minister and World Bank Vice President, brought a powerful perspective to the resilience of Governance in education. She pulled from her wealth of experience as a minister of Education in Nigeria and her service in the World Bank, she stated that democracy is currently in more crisis than it’s ever been. “Today’s democratic practices are exclusionary in many ways because the tiny fraction of people who supply democracy are monopolising it.”
Her speech was especially passionate and commanded attention. She warned that there is a leadership gap in many countries, and the saviour the citizens are waiting for isn’t on the way. Leaders have to come from within, and as such, efforts should be made through education to increase the chances of people-focused leaders. She also hammered on the lack of consequences for bad leaders and the lack of transparent public institutions.
“Societies must get back the value of trust. Everything around the rule of law anchors on the fundamental benefits of societies that trust,” She said.
She spoke further on democratising education, especially in Africa.
“Number one thing in the case of Africa is how important it is to go to the basics. 9 out of 10 children in Africa are not achieving minimum proficiency level in literacy and numeracy.”
She hammered that we must invest in foundational education to enable children to grow into self-sustaining communities and escape the “inter-generational dynasty of poverty”.
Marek Kamiński, a renowned explorer and social innovator, shared his unique insights on mental resilience, too. The second panel, moderated by Woolcock, featured H.E. Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, and Héctor Ramón Cárdenas Molinas of Paraguay, who discussed the importance of inclusive social policies and international cooperation.
Side Events: Exploring Digital Equity and Beyond
The day’s side events included “Beyond Access: Youth Online Safety and Digital Equity,” which addressed the digital divide and its impact on youth well-being, and “Advancing the Living Wage Agenda,” which explored the role of living wages in promoting social justice. Another event, “Exploring Individual and Societal Harms of Pornography,” sparked a nuanced discussion on the intersection of technology, culture, and social development.
Written by Dr. Florence Omisakin
