The NGO Committee on Social Development at the UN is a key platform that brings together non-governmental organizations from around the world committed to social development and human rights. This committee works closely with the UN Commission for Social Development to promote policies and actions that foster inclusion, solidarity, and social cohesion. Its main functions include:
- Policy advocacy: Ensuring that the voices of civil society are heard in international policy-making.
- Promotion of social rights: Advancing the fulfillment of international commitments like the Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda.
- Fostering partnerships: Facilitating collaboration between civil society organizations and governments to implement sustainable development initiatives.
Key points of the 2025 Civil Society Declaration
The 2025 Civil Society Declaration, presented at the 63rd session of the UN Commission for Social Development, underscores the urgent need to strengthen solidarity, social inclusion, and social cohesion. Below is a summary of its main proposals:
- Social inclusion: Eliminate discrimination and stigmas affecting vulnerable people, ensuring equal access to essential services such as education, health, housing, and decent employment.
- Solidarity: Promote intergenerational justice and a social system based on the common good, fostering the participation of marginalized communities, especially women, youth, and indigenous people.
- Resilience: Develop adaptive social systems that allow communities to face environmental, economic, and social crises sustainably.
The declaration also calls on Member States to:
- Guarantee access to a healthy environment, affordable housing, nutritious food, and quality healthcare services.
- Establish well-funded social protection systems.
- Recognize care as a fundamental social responsibility.
- Promote the meaningful participation of vulnerable people in policy-making processes.
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Read the full declaration!
It is essential that all citizens understand and support this declaration. You can read it in your preferred language:
- Spanish: Download here
- English: Download here
- French: Download here
- Portuguese: Download here
- Arabic: Download here
- Russian: Download here
The Vincentian Family’s participation
The Vincentian Family, committed to social justice and support for those most in need, plays an active role in the UN NGO Committee on Social Development through representatives from several of its branches: the Congregation of the Mission, the Federation of Sisters of Charity, the Daughters of Charity, the International Association of Charities, and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Their participation is key to bringing the concerns of vulnerable communities to international forums.
Your signature matters!
Signing the Civil Society Declaration is a commitment to a fairer, more inclusive, and resilient world. Your signature will help show global leaders that civil society demands concrete actions to improve social conditions for millions of people.
PLEASE SIGN. ASK WORLD LEADERS TO MAKE A COMMITTMENT TO LEAVE NO ONE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO SUFFER POVERTY BEHIND.
Everyone without exception deserves equal rights.