Sr. Dusty Farnan, OP on the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development
The Commission for Social Development is the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. The 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63) will take place from 10 to 14 February 2025, in Conference Room 4 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York addressing this year’s Priority Theme: Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Sr. Durstyne Farnan, UN representative, took part in the CSocD63 and shared her impressions:
“The CSOCD orientation was held virtually and in person. We all woke up to snow in the morning and found our way downtown to 38th street and to the 1401 place where the Orientation was taking place.
I was impressed with how many young men were present for this opportunity to prepare for the Commission on Social Development. The orientation began with a young Roma woman who talked about the injustices the Roma people experience every day. She was article and described her situation as a young woman and as a people.
We then heard from a Bahai representative who shared a bit of the upcoming Second World Social Summit that will take place in Doha in September. Cecilia has done a lot of research to prepare us for the summit.
After 2 ½ hours of orientation we shared a light lunch with several of us before returning to our homes and preparing for the Week of the Commission at the UN.
The week ended with the NGO Civil Society Forum on Friday from 10:00-1:00 pm in Conference Room 4 of the United Nations. Over 300 people attended the forum. Three different panels addressing the themes of the Commission, strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development: Solidarity, Social cohesion, Inclusion.
It was a well attended. The videos shared by the grassroots committee were compelling and a highlight of the days forum.”
