Vincentian Presence at the United Nations:  Commission for Social Development (CSocD)  and  Commission for the Status of Women, (CSW)

As February unfolds at the United Nations in New York, two major global policy processes are shaping conversations about justice, inclusion, dignity, and human flourishing — themes that resonate deeply with the Vincentian mission of walking with the poor and advocating for systemic change.

The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) focuses on poverty eradication, social protection, inclusion, and decent work. Governments, UN agencies, and civil society organizations gather to examine how policies can better respond to growing inequalities and exclusion.

The 64th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) is currently taking place at UN Headquarters from 2 to 10 February 2026. It brings together Member States, civil society organizations, and UN agencies to focus on social development as a foundation for human dignity and social justice.  This year’s discussions highlight the need for coordinated, equitable, and inclusive policies — a concern deeply rooted in the Vincentian tradition. Issues such as homelessness, access to social protection, care for vulnerable families, and dignified work are central to conversations. Side events organized by civil society bring forward concrete experiences from the ground, reminding policymakers that social justice must be shaped by the realities of people’s lives.

For Vincentians, CSocD reflects Saint Vincent de Paul’s conviction that charity alone is not enough. Listening to the poor and addressing the structural causes of poverty are essential steps toward lasting change.

Following CSocD, attention turns to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the United Nations principal forum dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This year’s focus on access to justice highlights the barriers many women face — discriminatory laws, violence, economic exclusion, and limited participation in decision-making.  Alongside formal negotiations, hundreds of civil society events amplify voices from communities around the world. These spaces allow faith-based and grassroots organizations to share experiences and advocate for laws and policies that protect dignity, safety, and opportunity for women and girls. From a Vincentian perspective, justice for women and girls is inseparable from our mission. Accompaniment means not only providing care but also speaking out against systems that perpetuate inequality and silence.

A Vincentian Call to Presence and Advocacy

The Commission for Social justice and the Commission on the Status of Women offer more than policy texts and formal debates — they offer a Vincentian moment to witness, accompany, and advocate for a world where dignity, justice, and human flourishing guide the decisions that shape us all.

Both CSocD and CSW remind us that presence is a form of advocacy. By bringing the voices of the poor, the excluded, and the vulnerable into global conversations, Vincentians help ensure that policies remain rooted in human dignity. Whether through participation at the UN, engagement inside events, or prayerful reflection within our communities, these moments invite us to renew our commitment to a Vincentian vision of justice — one that unites compassion with action and faith with systemic change.