During the first week of the 59thCommission for Social Development, UNANIMA International together with our co-sponsors (the NGO Committee on Migration, Justice Coalition of Religious, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, International Presentation Association, Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council of North and South America, Casa Generalizia della Societa del Sacro Cuore, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Loreto Generalate, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Soroptimist International, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sisters of Charity Federation) hosted an official side event titled “Migration, Displacement & their Cross-cutting Issues In the Context of Digital Technology & Just Transitions”. With over 100 people in attendance the event explored and addressed the Commission’s theme in the context of migration and displacement. Staying true to our mantra “don’t talk about us, without us” the event highlighted a vast range of inputs including lived experiences. It also provided concrete links between the priority theme of the 59thCommission as well as its past priority themes, specifically that of CSocD58 (Homelessness).
Inherently connected to the topic of Homelessness, this event explored displacement in the context of the theme through various lenses—specifically that of Migrants. Unfortunately, like many vulnerable groups globally, Migrants and Refugees are subject to violations of human rights, discrimination, and exploitation. According to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), “Violations of economic, social and cultural rights are daily experiences for countless migrants who are denied access to digital technology, public health care, adequate housing, and essential social protection.” Women, children and girls continue to be disproportionately represented and comparatively vulnerable within this population.
Inkeri von Hase, a migration specialist from UN Women, opened the event by highlighting the intersections of the Commission’s theme and people experiencing displacement—specifically migrants and refugees. Followed by Chioma Agwuegbo (Lead Strategist, CC Consulting Services Limited and founder of Techerng) who spoke on the topic of Grassroots empowerment andadvocacy, each of the speakers discussed drivers, outcomes, and policies, and contributed recommendations and solutions.The topic of the role of digital technologies on social development was discussed by the CEO of Hearcolors, Monica Duhem. Ifeyinwa Ofong from Worldwide Network Nigeria focused on how to ensure Digital Inclusion and Addressing the needs of vulnerable peoples especially women, children and girls.
Professor Preety Gadhoke from St John’sUniversity delivered a perspective on the intersections between the displaced, health and the Commission’s theme. Our final speaker was Suad Aldarra, a Syrian storyteller, data scientist, and a software engineer based in Dublin, Ireland, who detailed her Lived Experience. Each of the women spoke eloquently, contributing their distinct and thought-provoking ideas, giving both advocacy and policy recommendations and pushing for the voices of people with a lived experience(especially women and children) to be heard. You can watch the event live on UNTV as well as on our Facebook page.
