What we do

The NGO Committee for Social Development (NGO CSocD) is a civil society network that works in partnership with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Commission for Social Development (CSocD)—a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Main Functions of the NGO Committee for Social Development:

Advocacy

It advocates for people-centered social development at the UN, focusing on poverty eradication, social inclusion, and full employment. The committee pushes to keep social development high on the UN agenda.

The committee brings together non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from around the world to:

Share knowledge and best practices.

Coordinate joint statements and advocacy.

Participate in UN events, especially the annual Commission for Social Development (CSocD).

It helps organize and coordinate civil society forums, side events, and interactive dialogues during the Commission for Social Development.

Member NGOs can contribute to position papers, oral statements, and other documents submitted to the Commission. This helps shape the Commission’s recommendations to ECOSOC and, ultimately, the UN General Assembly.

It serves as a liaison between civil society and UN bodies, ensuring grassroots and marginalized voices are included in discussions about global social policies.

Learn more about our advocacy initiatives

Digital Diplomacy

Commission for Social Development

Since the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995, the Commission for Social Development has been the key UN body in charge of the follow up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.

The NGO Committee on Social Development is dedicated to raising awareness and holding discussions on social development issues taken up by the UN System and in particular by the UN Commission for Social Development. The committee holds a Civil Society Forum and other capacity-building and outreach evens on the occasion of the Commission.

CSocD63 and Civil Society Forum 2025

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 for the World Summit for Social Development, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

CSocD61 and Civil Society Forum 2023

Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication.

World Social Summit

We warmly invite all civil society organizations to join our upcoming virtual informational session, in preparation for the Second World Social Summit (WSSD2), scheduled to take place from November 4 to 6. This meeting will provide key updates, build solidarity, and align our shared vision toward advancing a more just and inclusive global future.

Subcommittees

The Advocacy Subcommittee brings together members who are interested in reaching out to Member States to influence ongoing work on resolutions, especially during the Commission for Social Development (CSocD). Concretely, the advocacy subcommittee convenes monthly meetings to prepare draft statements on current events or in relation to the priority theme of the Commission, identifies emerging issues, and prepares talking points and position papers to be shared with the UN system and Member States during Mission Visits. In the last two years, the subcommittee also prepared draft resolutions to influence the outcome of the CSocD.

The Civil Society Forum subcommittee plans and implements the annual Civil Society Forum (CSF), a central part of the official program for the Commission for Social Development each year. The Forum serves as a key platform for amplifying civil society’s advocacy efforts on the Priority Theme, and provides a space for grassroots voices to connect with Member States and other key stakeholders. Its structure changes year by year to reflect the Priority Theme and evolving modalities considerations, but consistently features a pre-session orientation, networking opportunities, panel discussions, and participation from Bureau members, UN DESA officials, and special guests such as Club de Madrid. Additionally, the NGO CSocD Executive Committee facilitates daily morning briefings during the session, offering NGOs insights into the negotiation process and updates on the Commission’s progress toward the adoption of the final resolution. The work of the subcommittee is invaluable for fostering dialogue, enhancing understanding of UN processes, and ensuring civil society remains engaged and informed throughout the Commission.

The NGO Committee for Social Development uses digital communication platforms to amplify our message and advocacy efforts, improve real time information dissemination, and expand our reach. This includes updating our website, developing and sharing promotional materials, and maintaining our social media presence across a variety of platforms. NGO CSocD social media accounts are managed by current subcommittee and committee members, and views published reflect the Committee’s position on topics/issues referenced.

The Education Subcommittee works to equip members with the essential knowledge and resources needed to conduct impactful work. By organizing education sessions led by multi-stakeholder experts on a variety of topics, the subcommittee provides key insights on global social development issues, UN processes and rhetoric, and advocacy strategies. This creates a space for members to reflect on the realities of the poorest and most marginalized communities our NGO Committee represents at the United Nations, and better understand the actions needed to address the root causes of their vulnerabilities worldwide. Education sessions are facilitated either by external guests or by members of the Executive Committee, and cover topics such as: child poverty, right to participation, human rights approach to poverty eradication, financing for development, etc.

The Grassroots Subcommittee aims to elevate the voices of those at the grassroots around the world into UN deliberations on matters important to social development. The subcommittee conducts surveys to gather data from projects and programs in local communities and rural areas in diverse countries. Usually, the surveys focus on themes set for the sessions of the UN Commission for Social Development. The data is shared with member states, the UN Secretariat and other NGOs through published reports and sponsored side events at UN meetings. The subcommittee also plays a vital role in informing those at the grassroots level about key developments and discussions happening at the United Nations, ensuring they have the opportunity to engage with global processes that directly impact their lives.

The World Social Summit Subcommittee is dedicated to preparing for the 2025 World Social Summit, as proposed by the UN Secretary-General in the Our Common Agenda report (2021) and now confirmed to take place from November 4-6, 2025 in Qatar. The subcommittee collaborates closely with the NGO CSocD Executive Committee and broader membership to devise a strategic plan towards the Summit. This includes identifying emerging issues, developing position papers, collecting resources, and convening spaces to inform the negotiations before, during, and after the Summit. The subcommittee also identifies partners and has regular meetings with key stakeholders, including the Co-Facilitators, to ensure that civil society plays a vital role in shaping the Summit’s outcomes and future global social development agendas.

What we do

Upcoming events

All Events
All Events

01.

Second World Social Summit Informational Sessions

We warmly invite all civil society organizations to join our upcoming virtual informational session, in preparation for the Second World Social Summit (WSSD2), scheduled to take place from November 4 to 6. This meeting will provide key updates, build solidarity, and align our shared vision toward advancing a more just and inclusive global future.

02.

Monthly Meeting

We warmly welcome you to join us for our upcoming monthly meeting, held on the third Wednesday of each month, to reflect, share updates, and deepen our collective work.

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