A message from the Partnership for Global Justice:

Commission on Social Development Begins February 4, 2009

The Commission for Social Development will be meeting at UN Headquarters in New York , February 4-13. The Commission is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, consisting of 46 members (nation-states) who are elected by ECOSOC. Each year the Commission takes up key social development themes and produces statements on what would enhance the situation of peoples throughout the world.

Social Integration is the priority theme for the 2009-2010 review and policy cycle. The discussion will take into account the interrelation of social integration with poverty eradication, full employment and decent work for all. This year’s theme, Social Integration, will also include a review of UN plans and programs of action regarding disabled persons, youth, aging and the family. The themes that have emerged for follow-up for the Commission for Social Development were the issues raised at the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995. The Commission for Social Development is in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.

For more information regarding this commission go to:www.un.org/esa/socdev/csd. For information regarding NGO statements for the Commission, go to: www.un.org/esa/socdev/cd/2009_ngostats.html.