FORUM: “Transforming care systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the context of Beijing+30.“ International Day of Care and Support 2024. Care work, both paid and unpaid, is crucial to the future of decent work. Growing populations, ageing societies, changing families, women’s secondary status in labour markets and shortcomings in social policies demand urgent action on the organization of care work from governments, employers, trade unions and individual citizens. If not adequately addressed, current deficits in care service provision and its quality will create a severe and unsustainable global care crisis and increase gender inequalities at work. Care work consists of two overlapping activities: direct, personal and relational care activities, such as feeding a baby or nursing an ill partner; and indirect care activities, such as cooking and cleaning. Unpaid care work is care work provided without a monetary reward by unpaid carers. Unpaid care is considered as work and is thus a crucial dimension of the world of work. Paid care work is performed for pay or profit by care workers. They comprise a wide range of personal service workers, such as nurses, teachers, doctors and personal care workers. Domestic workers, who provide both direct and indirect care in households, are also part of the care workforce. The care economy is growing as the demand for childcare and care for the elderly is increasing in all regions. It will thus create a great number of jobs in the coming years. However, care work across the world remains characterized by a void of benefits and protections, low wages or non-compensation, and exposure to physical, mental and, in some cases, sexual harm. It is clear that new solutions to care are needed on two fronts: in regards to the nature and provision of care policies and services, and the terms and conditions of care work. With the global demand for domestic workers likely to grow, the International Labour Organization steps up action to ensure they have access to decent work. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Dayofcare, #29october, #careworkers, #InvestInCare.
EVENT: On October 29th; from 10:00 am to 12:00 am EST; The International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Women, and the UNDP will mark International Day of Care and Support 2024 by spotlighting the Resolution concerning Decent Work and the Care Economy, adopted by the ILO International Labour Conference in June 2024. The Assembly invited stakeholders to observe the International Day of Care and Support on an annual basis in an appropriate manner in order to raise awareness of the importance of care and support and its key contribution to the achievement of gender equality and the sustainability of our societies and economies, as well as of the need to invest in a resilient and inclusive care economy, including the development of strong and resilient care and support systems.The focus of this year's celebration will be on transforming care systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the context of Beijing+30, elaborating on the recent UN system-wide policy guidance on Transforming Care Systems in the Context of the SDGs and Our Common Agenda. Watch the live observance!
Today, and every day, we recognize the skilled and the essential work of paid and unpaid care workers around the world.
Care work is the backbone of our well-being and prosperity. Without it, our societies and economies would simply not function. Yet, it often remains invisible. The significance of unpaid care has been enormously undervalued and overlooked in public policy and excluded from metrics of economic progress. Paid care work, meanwhile, continues to be undervalued and underpaid.
Care work is a gender equality issue.
We all know the data: women and girls remain the default providers of this essential labour, engaging in more than 2.5 times as many hours a day in unpaid care work than men. An estimated 80 per cent of paid domestic workers worldwide are also women, with 9 out of 10 of them working without social protection.
It is women living in poverty, migrant women, and women informal workers who shoulder the largest share of unpaid or under-paid care work.
These numbers are not just numbers. They reflect deep structural barriers that create unequal opportunities and outcomes for women and girls in education, in employment, in leadership and in financial security across their life.
They reflect a profound disconnect between what is essential for societies and economies to thrive and what is prioritized in policies and budgets.
We know that investing in robust care policies, quality care services, and basic time-saving care infrastructure is a triple win for individuals, for communities and for economies. These investments can simultaneously reduce women’s time and income poverty and enhance their labour market participation.
Evidence shows us that investing in care can increase the number of decent care jobs, potentially creating 300 million jobs by 2035.
Today, we are calling for care work to be valued as a public good, as skilled and essential work, and for quality care and support to be recognized as the basis for equal participation in society.
UN Women stands committed to working with you to transform care systems and to build thriving, equitable and sustainable economies and societies for generations of today and tomorrow.
We are making great strides. Countries such as Australia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Kenya, Panama, Uruguay, among many others, are progressing national care policies or strategies, and I applaud these efforts.
UN Women is further advancing this critical work through our global initiative TransformCare, working with our partners and allies, Member States, civil society organizations, the private sector and UN agencies to advance valuing care through comprehensive policies.
The new UN system-wide policy guidance on transforming care systems – developed under the leadership of the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, which UN Women proudly co-led with ILO, OHCHR, UNDP and ECLAC – gives us a roadmap for getting there.
Next year, we will approach 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Let us leverage this opportunity, continue to build momentum and push for stronger commitments to action to transform care systems.
Let us commit to build caring, thriving, equitable and sustainable economies and societies for today’s and tomorrow’s generations.
FORUM: “Your widow to the world.” World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Day 2024. As a window to the world, audiovisual heritage enables us to witness events we do not attend, listen to voices of the past, and create narratives that inform and entertain. Through the exploration of recorded sounds and visual imagery captured on film and video, we not only gain an appreciation for the cultural wealth but also extract valuable lessons from it. Audiovisual materials can tell your story, your truth, and your presence. They provide a window to the world, allowing us to observe events we cannot attend, hear voices from the past who can no longer speak, and craft stories that inform and entertain. By listening to recorded sounds and looking at images captured on film and video we can not only appreciate the richness of this culture but also learn from it. Audiovisual archives tell us stories about people’s lives and cultures from all over the world. They represent a priceless heritage which is an affirmation of our collective memory and a valuable source of knowledge since they reflect the cultural, social and linguistic diversity of our communities. They help us grow and comprehend the world we all share. Conserving this heritage and ensuring it remains accessible to the public and future generations is a vital goal for all memory institutions as well as the public at large. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldDayforAudiovisualHeritage, #WDAH, #audiovisual ,#27october, #AudiovisualHeritageDay#AudiovisualHeritage.
On and around the Octobe 27th; Celebrations around the world of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Day 2024 will be held in many countries and organized by national and regional sound and film archives, broadcasters, museums and libraries, and major audiovisual associations to honor audiovisual preservation professionals and institutions that safeguard our heritage for future generations. The nine associations forming the CCAAA (AMIA, ARSC, FIAF, FIAT-IFTA, FOCAL International, IASA, ICA, SEAPAVAA, IFLA) strongly encourage all their members (and any other institutions) to Participate to the global celebrations of the World Day. You can now visualize all events on a dedicated world map that is updated in real time. Explore the world map of WDAH 2024 events.
From 15 to 18 May 2024; ARSC's 58th Annual Conference - The Call for presentations for ARSC's 58th Annual Conference to be held in St. Paul, Minnesota is open until 12 January. The Association for Recorded Sound Collections welcomes all who are interested in any aspect of sound recording to attend or present at the conference. The program will include individual presentations, posters, and panel discussions with sound recording scholars, collectors, preservationists, and creators engaged in a broad range of topics that cross geographic, cultural, and collection boundaries. There will also be a silent auction and social events (screenings, Ask the Technical Committee, a Collector's Roundtable) offered each evening. Get the Conference Flyer and the Call for Presentations.
From 22 to 23 April 2024, 2024 FIAF Congress: The call for papers for the symposium of the 2024 International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) Congress in Bangkok on the theme "Film Archives in the Global South" is now open. In 2023, out of the 173 FIAF members and associates, 41 affiliates were located in what is being referred to as the "Global South", spreading predominantly across Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Despite struggling with developmental and economic challenges, alongside political and social instability, these collections are significant for their cultural diversity, local history, and poignant reflections of societal and political issues experienced by the vast majority of the world's population. As they continue their work on the preservation of the world's audiovisual memory, film archives of the Global South have become important centers for developing specific strategies, approaches and concepts of preservation beyond hegemonic models. More than that, these developments may expand preservation practices to areas and contexts that were previously ignored or considered unreachable through traditional methods and ideas, highlighting the resourcefulness and ingenuity of archival practices in the often under-resourced contexts of the Global South. Participants must fill out the online form before 8 January 2024.
On March 8th - Participate to the 2024 FIAT-IFTA Conference. The Call for Papers of the 2024 FIAT-IFTA World Conference, set to take place in Bucharest in October 2024, is open until 31 March.
FORUM: “Strengthen international cooperation to solve trade and development problems.” World Development Information Day 2024. The Commitment to Development Index ranks 40 of the world’s most powerful countries on their dedication to policies that affect more than five billion people living in poorer nations. The CDI scores countries relative to their size and economic weight to measure countries according to their potential to help. CDI Countries range from middle to high-income; to level the playing field, we have an option to income-adjust, or rank relative to income-predicted scores. Sweden takes first place. France is second and Norway is in third place. Sweden and France also top the environment component, each applying a relatively high price to carbon and Sweden has relatively low emissions per head. The US ranks 22nd, with strong contributions on security and trade, but low scores on diffusing technology and safeguarding the environment. It scores ahead of China, which ranks 36th, but behind most EU countries, who take 6 of the top 10 spots. Follow the conversations with the hashtags #DevinfoDay, #Development, #macroeconomics, #DevelopmentIndex; #24October.
On October 29th; You are invited to join the 2024 UN SDG Action Campaign to celebrate changemakers who are wielding the power of creativity and innovation to bring us closer to a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world. The UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony will unveil the winners of the 2024 edition with the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani (TBC), and UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy Susan Brown, as well as Canon Ambassador Muhammed Muheisen, Italian song writer and singer Noemi, Paralympian and Disability Advocate Jessica Smith OAM, award-winning film director and producer Farhoud Meybodi, among many others. The UN SDG Action Awards programme is made by the generous financial support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Watch the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony live!
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am grateful to participate in the 16th BRICS Summit. Collectively, your countries represent nearly half of the world’s population. And I salute your valuable commitment and support for international problem-solving as clearly reflected in your theme this year. But no single group and no single country can act alone or in isolation. It takes a community of nations, working as one global family, to address global challenges. Challenges like the rising number of conflicts. The devastation of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss… Rising inequalities and lingering poverty and hunger… A debt crisis that threatens to smother plans for the future of many vulnerable countries... The fact that fewer than one-fifth of the Sustainable Development Goals are on-track... A growing digital divide, and a lack of guardrails for artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies... And a lack of representation and voice for developing countries at global decision-making tables. From the Security Council to the Bretton-Woods institution and beyond. This must change. September’s Summit of the Future offered a roadmap for strengthening multilateralism, and advancing peace, sustainable development and human rights.
I see four areas for action.
First — finance.
Today’s international financial system is not offering many vulnerable countries the safety net or level of support they need. The Pact for the Future calls for accelerating reform of the international financial architecture that is outdated, ineffective and unfair. And it includes a commitment to move forward with an SDG Stimulus to change the business model to substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks to developing countries. To recycle more Special Drawing Rights… To restructure loans for countries drowning in debt... And to mobilize more international and domestic resources, public and private, for vital investments in developing countries. Next year’s Conference on Financing for Development and the Summit on Social Development are two milestones to carry these efforts forward. We must also recognize the importance of South-South cooperation. It doesn’t replace the commitments and obligations of developed countries. But it is providing a growing contribution to supporting developing countries in overcoming obstacles to reaching the SDGs.
Second — climate.
Every country has committed to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. That requires dramatic action to reduce emissions now — with the G20 in the lead. COP29 is just weeks away. That starts the clock for countries to produce new Nationally Determined Contributions plans with 2035 targets that are aligned with the 1.5 degree goal. COP29 must deliver an ambitious and credible outcome on the new climate finance goal. Developed countries must also keep promises to double adaptation finance, and ensure meaningful contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, which was not the case when it was created.
Third — technology.
Every country must be able to access the benefits of technology. The Global Digital Compact commits to enhanced global cooperation and capacity-building. It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence to give every country a seat at the AI table. It calls for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations with the participations of all countries And it requests options for innovative financing for AI capacity-building in developing countries.
And fourth — peace.
We must strengthen and update the machinery of peace. This includes reforms to make the United Nations Security Council reflective of today’s world. The Pact for the Future includes important steps on disarmament — including the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade — and steps that address the weaponization of outer space and the use of lethal autonomous weapons. Across the board, we need peace. We need peace in Gaza with an immediate cease-fire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the effective delivery of humanitarian aid without obstacles, and we need to make irreversible progress to end the occupation and establish the two state solution, as it was recently reaffirmed once again by a UN General Assembly resolution. We need peace in Lebanon with an immediate cessation of hostilities, moving to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. We need peace in Ukraine. A just peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions. We need peace in Sudan, with all parties silencing their guns and committing to a path towards sustainable peace. Those were the messages I have delivered to the High-Level segment of the General Assembly in September in New York. Unfortunately, they remain valid here and now. Everywhere, we must uphold the values of the UN Charter, the rule of law, and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all States. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, The Summit of the Future charted a course to strengthen multilateralism for global development and security. Now we must turn words into deeds and we believe BRICS can play a very important role in this direction.
The United Nations was built by the world, for the world.
Since 1945, it has been the place for countries to unite behind global solutions to global problems.
Solutions that ease tensions, build bridges and forge peace.
Solutions to eradicate poverty, spur sustainable development, and stand up for the most vulnerable.
Solutions that deliver lifesaving relief to people living through conflicts, violence, economic hardship, and climate disasters.
Solutions that level the scales of justice and equality for women and girls.
Solutions that tackle issues that were unimaginable in 1945 — climate change, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and outer space.
In September, the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations.
Together, these milestone agreements will help ensure that the United Nations system adapts, reforms, and rejuvenates, so it is fit for the changes and challenges around us and delivers solutions for all.
But our work will always be rooted in the timeless values and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and in the dignity and human rights of every person.
In today’s troubled world, hope is not enough.
Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet.
Hope requires all countries working as one.
Hope requires the United Nations.
On United Nations Day, I call on all countries to keep this beacon for the world, and its ideals, shining.
Today marks a cherished and precious anniversary in the course of nations to end conflicts, spare the generations the scourge of war, and work to build a more secure, stable and developed world.
United Nations Day reminds us of the importance of peace and stability for the good of humanity. We shall not forget those who served in this Organization and those who made great sacrifices to support peace and establish security and prosperity.
The United Nations works to serve people in defusing conflicts and in time of peace, in order to promote sustainable peace, justice and development. In Iraq, this is what we are doing as well: we serve all sectors of society, through sustainable development, support and humanitarian action, as well as through efforts to promote human rights, just as we stood with the Iraqi people in past times of conflict.
As a founding member of the United Nations, Iraq plays its role in upholding the values, principles and rights encapsulated in the UN Charter which all 193 member states have committed to.
In his UN Day message, Secretary-General António Guterres sums up who we are and what we do. He says: “The United Nations was built by the world, for the world. Since 1945, it has been the place for countries to unite behind global solutions to global problems.”
We all belong to these United Nations. We are proud of this day, and we shall not forget the memory of all those who worked to uphold the name and values of the United Nations, and to defend the security and fundamental rights of all humanity.
FORUM: ''Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies.'' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024. This day provides a platform for people experiencing poverty to voice their concerns and recognizes their crucial role in combating poverty. Importantly, the chosen theme will underscore the necessity for collaborative efforts to eradicate poverty and discrimination, ultimately paving the way for a sustainable future where the needs of all are met without compromising the well-being of future generations. In our efforts to move forward, let us use dignity as our compass, so the attainment of fundamental human rights and social justice is at the heart of national and global decision making. Using dignity as our compass will also help shape a global economy that prioritises the wellbeing of the people and planet over maximisation of corporate profits and ensure social justice, peace and prosperity. In moving forward, strong partnerships are needed. In this regard, Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection, and Global Coalition for Social Justice to reduce and prevent inequalities should be supported. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Dignity4All, #PovertyDay, #17october, #EndingPoverty, #GlobalGoals, #SDG1.
New York Commemoration: On October 17th from 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024 under the theme “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment.” The event will put a spotlight on a widespread but often ignored aspect of poverty: social and institutional mistreatment. This hidden violence, which includes stigma, discrimination, and the denial of basic rights, causes deep harm to individuals and communities already struggling with poverty. .People gather around the world to listen to those in poverty, and to reaffirm the collective commitment to end poverty. This event emphasized the need for collective action to ensure these rights are respected. Since then, people of diverse backgrounds have united annually to express solidarity with those living in poverty. Replicas of a commemorative stone, unveiled during the initial gathering, serve as focal points for these global observances, including one at the United Nations Headquarters. Download Flyer, Get the Agenda Programme!
On october 17th 2024; A Global Policy Dialogue entitled ‘‘New Pathways to End Poverty Amid Converging Crises’’ starting at 10:00 AM - The UN DESA will host a Global Policy Dialogue on 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The dialogue will be divided into two panels that will draw on the key findings and recommendations of the World Social Report 2024 and to ensure transformations at the necessary scale and speed, particularly in relation to achieving SDG 1, No Poverty. This dialogue is made possible by the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund and is free to join. It will be in English with captioning available in 20+ languages in Zoom. Register to participate!
Press conference for the Launch of the World Social Report 2024 starting at 12:30 pm EST UN Press Briefing Room, S-237 - Multiple converging crises are undermining social progress around the world, hitting the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest. This must be a critical wake-up call for global action. The World Social Report 2024 makes the case for comprehensive changes that both national and international actors can make to effectively eradicate poverty, foster inclusive and job-rich growth, while promoting equality of opportunity and universal access to quality services. The new World Social Report 2024 from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) illustrates how shocks hit the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest, with both short- and long-term impacts on social development. Developing countries, particularly those in special situations such as least-developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States (SIDS) are among the worst affected. Advancing social development during recurrent and converging crises requires investment in building resilience and coping capacities at the national level, and supportive collective actions at the global level. National development strategies that seek to eradicate poverty; ensure inclusive, job-rich growth; and promote equality of opportunity and universal access to quality services, among others, must now be reviewed to ensure they can succeed in accelerating social development in the new crisis context. At the same time, the cascading effects of crises across systems highlight the need for strengthened global action to reduce systemic risks and enhance resilience. To further support the UN in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid these interconnected crises; Get the flyer and watch the livestream!
PUBLICATION: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative are glad to present the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024 report entitled’’Poverty amid conflict.’’ The MPI uses the most recent comparable data available for 112 countries—21 low-income countries, 87 middle-income countries and 4 high-income countries. These countries are home to 6.3 billion people, about 92 percent of the population in developing regions, and of these 1.1 billion people are poor. Global MPI values, incidence and intensity of poverty, and component indicators are disaggregated for 1,359 subnational regions as well as by age group, rural-urban area and gender of the household head. In Table 6, we publish harmonised estimates for 86 countries, which provide results for trends over time. Forty have harmonized data for two points in time, 36 countries have trends data for three points in time, six have data for four points in time, three (Ghana, Mexico and Peru) have data for five points in time and Nepal has trends data for six points in time. Read the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024.
Poverty is a global plague, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world. But poverty is not inevitable. It is the direct result of the choices that societies and governments make — or fail to make. This year’s theme reminds us that people mired in poverty contend with societal discrimination and systemic barriers that make it more difficult to access vital services and support. Ending global poverty — and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals — requires governments shaping institutions and systems that put people first. It demands that we prioritize investments in decent work, learning opportunities and social protection that offer ladders out of poverty. And it calls on us to fully implement the new Pact for the Future by supporting an SDG Stimulus and reforming the global financial architecture to help developing countries invest in their people. Eradicating poverty is an essential foundation for humane, dignified societies that leave no one behind. On this important day, let’s re-commit to making poverty history.
United Nations Secretary-General.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment
Thursday, October 17th, 2024
ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ, 1:15-2:30 pm
Commemorative Stone
in Honor of the Victims of Extreme Poverty
UN Garden, North lawn 3-3:30 pm
Part one
ECOSOC Chamber
1:15: Introduction of Co-Mc’s by Maryann Broxton, Main Representative of the United
Nation, International Movement ATD Fourth World.
1:19: Introduction and welcome by Co-Master of Ceremony, Ms Stacy White, ATD
Fourth Word Activists, and Ms Clara Ceravolo, UNICEF
1:24: Ms. Wenyan Yang, Chief, Global Dialogue for Social Development Branch, UN
DESA’s Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) reading of Secretary General
Antonio Guterres’ statement on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
.
1:26: Mr. Charles Katoanga, Director, Division for Inclusive Social Development
(DISD), UN DESA offers remarks on the theme of the day.
Keynote speakers
1:30-1:41
Ms. Asha Mohamed, ATD Fourth World Activist, Tanzania offers a statement.
Mr. Alain Meylan, ATD Fourth World Activist, Switzerland offers a statement.
Mr Tyler Byrd, Housing Advocate and Activist, New York, offers a statement.
1:43-1:48 Musical performance
ALBA Musik performs “Rise up” by Audra Day
1:50 - 2:18 Guest speakers
Ms Nancy Santos, Assistant Director, Project Access, Roxbury Community College,
Boston, offers a statement.
Ms. Rashmi Banga, Chief, Development Research Branch in Economic Analysis and
Policy Division, UN DESA
Mr. Olivier Richard, Head of the Climate and Development Team, Permanent Mission
of France to the United Nations offers reflection on keynote speakers statements and
theme of the day.
2:25-2:30 MC’s thanks speakers, direct attendees to the Poverty Stone, UN Garden,
North Lawn for the second part of the commemoration, and invites attendees to
reception at ATD Fourth World House at 4:30pm.
Part two
Poverty Stone, UN Garden, North Lawn
3pm: ALBA Musik performs original song, “Paradoja" (Paradox)
3:06pm: Mr Donld Lee, President, ATD Fourth World offers a statement on the spirit of
the day.
3:11pm:
School children reading the Poverty Stone inscription in the six UN languages
3:20p: Moment of silence.
3:21: Laura Inesta, Bella Meese, and Asher Holland perform “Hallelujah” by Rufus
Wainwright.
3:26pm: Gesture
3:29pm: Co-MC’s thanks speakers and attendees, invites people to attend the reception
at the ATD Fourth World House, Group photo by stone.
4:30-7:30: Reception at ATD Fourth Word House, 172 First Ave (between 10th and 11th
St), New York.
Press Conference: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on the launch of the World Social Report 2024 - Social Development in Times of Converging Crises: A Call for Global Action.
Speakers: Shantanu Mukherjee, Director, Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA, and Wenyan Yang, Chief, Global Dialogue for Social Development Branch (GDSDB), Division for Inclusive Social Development, UN DESA.
New Pathways to End Poverty Amid Converging Crises: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue.
The new "World Social Report 2024" from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) illustrates how shocks hit the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest, with both short- and long-term impacts on social development. This session, held on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, will feature conversations with experts and people with lived experience of poverty to showcase ways to ensure transformations at the necessary scale and speed to improve lives.
Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment | Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies - UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024.
People living in poverty face negative attitudes. They are stigmatised, discriminated against, judged for example by their appearance, accent, address (or lack of it), blamed for their situation, and treated with disrespect. The maltreatment is more pronounced for people who face other forms of prejudice as well, including gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. SDG 16 aims to achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and
building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. People everywhere
should be free of fear from all forms of violence including the sustained violence of poverty.
Freedom from the violence of poverty will be achieved only if discussions and actions around
poverty eradication are no longer carried out without the people the most directly impacted.
Taking firm steps towards just, peaceful, and inclusive societies include:
1/ putting in place conditions for people with lived experience of poverty to share their
knowledge and for that knowledge to be recognised and valued;
2/ supporting actions to enable the people living in poverty to regain confidence and agency to act and
3/ recognising the contributions that people experiencing poverty bring to society and their
invaluable experiential knowledge of policy and practices related to poverty.
To correct the collective failure of poverty, we call on everyone to take these firm steps and act together to promote effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions that will appropriately, effectively, and respectfully respond to the needs of the people left furthest behind
FORUM: ”Right to Foods for a better life and a better future, Leave no one behind.” World Food Day 2024. The world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet, hunger persists. Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world due to repeated weather shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and the pandemic. This impacts the poor and vulnerable most severely, many of whom are agricultural households, reflecting widening inequalities across and within countries. Food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food. Human rights such as the right to food, life and liberty, work and education are recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two legally binding international covenants. Over 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet. Unhealthy diets are the leading cause of all forms of malnutrition – undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity, which now exist in most countries, cutting across socio-economic classes. Yet today, too many people suffer from hunger and are unable to afford healthy diets. More vulnerable people are often forced to rely on staple foods or less expensive foods that can be unhealthy, while others suffer from the unavailability of fresh or varied foods, lack the information they need to choose a healthy diet, or simply opt for convenience. ‘Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, accessibility and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, fishing nets, markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all. Hunger and malnutrition are further exacerbated by protracted or prolonged crises that are driven by a combination of conflict, extreme weather events and economic shocks. Agrifood systems, as a whole, are vulnerable to disasters and crises, particularly the impacts of climate change but at the same time, they are generating pollution, degrading soil, water and air, and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. By transforming agrifood systems, there is great potential to mitigate climate change and support peaceful, resilient and inclusive livelihoods for all. It’s time to work together and create a better, more sustainable future for all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldFoodDay, #16october, #Leavenoonebehind, #FutureofFood.
The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific will host an event in Bangkok, Thailand to mark World Food Day under the global theme of “Right to foods for a better life and a better future, leaving no one behind.” Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, who is FAO’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, will preside over the event, which will be opened by Jong-Jin Kim, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative. The event will take place on 7 October, a few days prior to the global observance of World Food Day on 16 October.
Right to Foods for a better life and a better future
World Food Day this year talks about “the Right to Foods” to underscore how everyone, everywhere, should have access to a variety of diverse and nutritious foods that are affordable and safe. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be grown in our fields, made available in our markets and on our tables, for the benefit of all. The Asia-Pacific Regional World Food Day event will draw attention to the right to foods, discussing the issues of achieving food and nutrition security in the world’s most populous region, while sustainably managing natural resources and the impacts of climate change. It will also highlight the voices of youth from Asia and the Pacific, recognizing four young innovators who are mobilizing communities, and harnessing technology and digital solutions towards an agrifood systems transformation.
Keynote speaker:
Luke Tay - Singapore Futures Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
KEY FACTS
Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world.
Some 2.5 billion adults and 37 million children under the age of five are overweight.
Yearly, 600 million people fall ill and 420 000 die from eating contaminated food.
Some 22.3% children under the age of five are too short for their age and 6.8% are too thin for their height.
Some 890 million adults are living with obesity.
Indigenous Peoples represent more than 19% of the extreme poor.
Over 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet.
Conflict and violence are primary causes of hunger. Nearly half of all people suffering acute hunger in 2023 were caught in conflict – almost 135 million people in 20 countries.
The world’s smallholder farmers produce around a third of the world’s food.
Worldwide, women are 1.3% more likely to be moderately or severely food insecure than men.
Climate change disproportionately affects the rural poor and their agricultural yields and productivity.
Globally, 13% of food is lost during harvest and transport, and 19% is wasted at the retail and consumer stage
More than 1.6 billion women and children across all world regions are deficient in one or more vitamins or minerals.
ACTIONS
Collective action across over 150 countries worldwide is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days in the United Nations calendar. Hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, civil society organizations, the media, and the public, including many young people. They promote worldwide awareness of hunger and spark action for the future of food, people and the planet.
What can you do?
Only when everyone enjoys the human right to adequate food will we be able to achieve other human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a blueprint for a more equal and just future for all people everywhere. And we all have a role to play. As consumers, we can exercise rights and call on governments to tackle inequality and poverty, make healthy food choices to increase their availability, reduce food waste and protect the environment. Read more
What does FAO do?
FAO provides countries with technical assistance on policy and legislation, strengthens governance and monitoring mechanisms, develops capacities and promotes multi-stakeholder policy dialogue to transform agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all. They also provide humanitarian and resilience building assistance to the most vulnerable, crisis-hit people and their communities, providing time-critical agricultural support to almost 57 million people in 2023. A food secure and nutritious world for all requires massive investment, innovation, science, technology and wide collaboration between a range of actors including governments, the private sector, academic and research institutions and civil society.
Make World Food Day YOUR day!
Farmers
Practice sustainable agriculture that enhances biodiversity and manages natural resources responsibly.
Produce more diverse foods.
Advocate for policies that empower small-scale producers, family farmers and women.
Reduce food loss.
Follow regulations and good practices to make sure foods produced are safe
Private Sector
Make more nutritious and diverse foods available at affordable prices.
Support small-scale food producers and family farmers.
Promote corporate social responsibility through ethical, sustainable production and inclusive business models.
Apply all standards and good practices to make sure foods produced are safe.
Market foods responsibly and avoid promoting unhealthy foods to children.
Academia & Civil Society Organizations
Hold governments accountable by collecting data, identifying areas for improvement, and measuring progress towards targets and goals.
Collaborate with policymakers to base policies and strategies on data and evidence.
Promote healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems.
Transfer the latest knowledge and technology to farmers and decision-makers through partnerships and trainings.
All Of Us
Raise your voice to influence decision-making.
Choose local and seasonal foods to support biodiversity.
Embrace healthy diets and lifestyles.
Understand food labels to make healthy food choices.
Learn ways to identify food safety issues and to keep food safe.
Join an event or an activity nearby you and and show how you are taking action.
LIVETREAM: The Heads of the Rome-based UN agencies and other special guests will speak at the ceremony on the theme Right to 'foods' for a better life and a better future, which will feature special messages from Pope Francis and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as the presentation of FAO awards. Watch the livestream!
FORUM: “Rural Women Sustaining Nature for Our Collective Future: Building climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, and caring for land towards gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.” International Day of Rural Women 2024. Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and climate change. Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production while working as environmental and biodiversity stewards. As farmers, women have learned how to cope with and adapt to climate change, for example, by practicing sustainable agriculture in harmony with nature, switching to drought-resistant seeds, employing low-impact or organic soil management techniques, or leading community-based reforestation and restoration efforts. Indigenous women have been at the forefront of environmental conservation by bringing invaluable ancestral knowledge and practices, and rural women have been leading global and national climate movements that have spotlighted the need for action for the sake of this and future generations. Given their position on the frontlines of the climate crisis, women are uniquely situated to be agents of change — to help find ways to mitigate the causes of global warming and adapt to its impacts on the ground. However, reports prove that climate change has a more pronounced impact on women, primarily indigenous and peasant women, whose agricultural dependence, living conditions, and marginalization expose them to a greater degree of changes due to climate, loss of diversity, and pollution. Let’s promote their work as food providers and protectors of the environment. Let’s demand their participation in decision-making within their communities. Let’s promote rural areas where women can have the same opportunities as men. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Womenwithrights, #ruralwomenday, #MujeresRurales, #MujeresConDerechos, #15October, #RuralWomen, #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen.
FAO Asia-Pacific: On October 17th, from 11.00 am - 12.30 pm ICT (GMT+7) you are invited to join the event "entitled “Breaking the barriers: Gender equality, water and financial inclusion in agrifood systems in Asia and the Pacific.” to discuss gender equality, water and financial inclusion in agrifood systems in Asia-Pacific. Register to participate!
FAO Latin-America: On October 1st, starting at 11:30 am, the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean will be held a virtual-event from the FAO Santiago de Chile to commemorate the International Day of Rural Women 2024. The objectives are to share the reflections and community proposals of rural women and their organizations in order to close the gender gaps associated with poverty and food insecurity through the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in the agrifood systems of Latin America and the Caribbean. The dialogue will feature organizations, networks, and regional coalitions of rural women and leaders, especially those formed by Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and/or young women. In addition, governments from the region, academia, civil society organizations, UN system agencies, and actors involved in the development of COP16 on biodiversity, among other key players, will be invited to contribute to closing the equality gaps between rural women and men. In Latin America and the Caribbean, women and their organizations represent one of the key actors in transforming traditional agrifood systems into sustainable, resilient, and inclusive models by 2030. However, rural women continue to face multiple gender inequalities that affect their access to productive resources, such as land, tools, or technological innovation, among others. This makes it difficult for them to be recognized as producers and beneficiaries of various forms of support and incentives, including training, financing, and state assistance, which prevents the full consolidation of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems. Additionally, rural women face a significant burden of unpaid care work, both in the family and community spheres, closely related to the caregiving roles that our societies define as feminine. As a result, rural women face greater job insecurity, are often situated in the least profitable segments of value chains and have limited access to contributory and non-contributory social protection, greatly increasing the feminization of poverty, the incidence of food and nutritional insecurity among them, and reducing their resilience to crises, events, and shocks associated with climate change. Globally, female-headed households experience an average annual income loss of 8% due to heat stress and 3% due to flooding, compared to male-headed households. Additionally, a 1°C increase in long-term average temperature is associated with a 23.6% reduction in farm income and a 34% reduction in total household income for female-headed households, compared to male-headed households. Despite the notable increase in many biodiversity-friendly practices, such as agroecology, organic farming, sustainable forest management, agroforestry, integrated pest management, and the ecosystem approach to fishing and aquaculture, biodiversity is decreasing at the genetic species and ecosystem levels. For example, plant diversity in farmers' fields is decreasing in some countries, and more than one-third of fish stocks are overexploited. Women and other vulnerable social groups tend to rely more on biodiversity for their livelihoods, as crops and livestock breeds constitute their only source of food and income. Therefore, they are disproportionately affected by biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, climate change, and natural disasters. With the primary objective of supporting the initiatives of rural women and their organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Rural Women Empowerment and Environmental Sustainability Acceleration Programme, a regional initiative that will transformatively support the economic, social, and political empowerment of rural women while contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. In light of this adverse scenario, and with an focus toward the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), FAO, UN Women, and UNFPA are inviting rural women's organizations to participate in a dialogue focused on identifying the main challenges, strengths, and solutions to close gender gaps related to poverty, food insecurity, and biodiversity conservation in the agrifood systems of Latin America and the Caribbean. Get the invitation and Watch the virtual event!
The International Day of Rural Women recognizes the critical roles and contributions of rural women, including Indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and nutrition, and eradicating rural poverty. These are vital for protecting and securing our common future. The 2024 International Day of Rural Women invites all stakeholders to celebrate rural women’s essential role in building climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, and caring for the land.
And as we speed towards the three Rio Convention Conferences of the Parties this year, let us unite in promoting rural women’s rights, amplifying rural women’s voices, and taking concrete action to support their indispensable role in forging a more equitable, just, and sustainable world for all people and the planet.
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