The fifty-fifth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD55) will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 1 to 10 February 2017. The priority theme for the 2017-2018 review and policy cycle is  “Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all”. On the 18th of January the Commission’s Bureau met with Member States to present the proposed order of work for the Commission. Following this on the 23rd of January a breakfast meeting took place between Civil Society and the Bureau discussing the important role Civil Society will play in the Commission.

Learn more about the Commission at social.un.org/csocd 

At its fifteenth session in May 2016, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recommended that the Economic and Social Council authorise an international Expert Group Meeting (EGM) to discuss the role of the Permanent Forum, as well as the other indigenous specific mechanisms in supporting the operationalisation of article 42 of the UN Declaration. At its regular session in 2016, ECOSOC approved the Forum’s recommendation. UNDESA/DSPD facilitated this EGM during January 2017  “Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: the role of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and other indigenous-specific mechanisms (article 42). As we approach the 10^th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 13 September 2017, EGM served as an opportunity to assess the impact of the three indigenous mechanisms’ work on implementing the Declaration to date and the challenges that lie ahead, as well as to focus on the specific roles of the indigenous specific mechanisms and how they can, work together more effectively to operationalize the Declaration.

Learn more about the EGM here. Learn more about the Divisions work with Indigenous Person’s at social.un.org/indigenous

ECOSOC Youth Forum 

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, was held on 30-31 January 2017 providing a platform for youth to engage in a dialogue with Member States and share ideas on innovation, collective action and solutions to global problems. It also addressed the concept of  “shared prosperity”, which is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum will brought youth leaders from around the world to the UN Headquarters in New York.  Giving  them the opportunity to engage with policy-makers and other youth delegates and representatives. This two-day event featured interactive dialogues among representatives from youth organisations, high-level and other keynote speakers. A Ministerial Roundtable, The UN’s Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals and a diverse group of YouTubers took part in the discussions aimed at supporting multilateral approaches led by the United Nations.
Learn more about our work with youth at social.un.org/youth
Read more about the ECOSOC Youth Forum.

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Available data indicates that persons with disabilities are at greater risk of poverty than persons without disabilities in both developed and developing countries. In developing countries, many persons with disabilities are at risk of poverty because they are more likely to be part of the informal economy, or even when employed, they are less likely to have long-term career prospects with limited or no pension and health benefits. In developed countries, the income of persons with disabilities has been 12 per cent lower than the national average and as much as 30 per cent lower than those without disabilities. During the 55th Session of the Commission for Social Development the a high level panel event will be held to discuss these issue, Poverty and Disability: Leaving No One Behind. 

Learn more about the event here. 

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Stakeholder Engagement Series

The new report of the Secretary-General on the “Third review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002” provides an analysis of the preliminary findings of the third review and appraisal exercise, including the identification of prevalent and emerging issues and related policy options. In view of the timeline for carrying out the third review and appraisal of the Madrid Plan of Action, and given that the global review will take place in 2018, Member States have not yet presented their national reports to the United Nations regional commissions. Therefore, the findings outlined in the report are preliminary in nature and are based on submissions prepared by the regional commissions using supporting information available to the Secretariat, covering the period from 2012 to 2016. The report of the Secretary-General for the global review to be held at the fifty-sixth session of the Commission for Social Development will provide the basis for suggested policy options for the consideration of Member States. The purpose of the report is to inform the Commission of the preliminary main findings of the third review and appraisal exercise, including the identification of key priority areas and regional perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of ageing. The report also includes information about the regional preparations to date for the third review and appraisal exercise, including actions, activities and t he utilisation of a bottom-up participatory approach. Read full report: Third review and appraisal of the MIPAA

February 1-10 – 55th Session on the Commission for Social Development 
February 20 – World Day of Social Justice