Social Policy and Development
Poverty Eradication and Employment
Social Integration
Rights of Persons with Disabilities
NGO Issues
Indigenous Issues
Social Policy and Development
World Summit for Social Development
Key activities of the Division relate to the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development of 1995. Follow-up by the United Nations General Assembly.
24th special session of the General Assembly (Social Summit+5)
An important element of the Summit follow-up was the convening of the 24th special session of the General Assembly in Geneva from 26 June to 1 July 2000 to evaluate implementation of the commitments and plans agreed at the Social Summit.
Commission for Social Development
The Division provides substantive support for the annual sessions of the Commission for Social Development, which was given the primary responsibility in monitoring the progress made since the Social Summit. Documentation, information and substantive services are also provided to the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly.
The Report on the World Social Situation
The Division is responsible for the preparation of the biennial Report on the World Social Situation (RWSS) which is one of the flagship publications of the Department of Social and Economic Affairs. The RWSS is devoted to analysis of social vulnerability. The objective of the report is to develop a frame of reference for identifying the sources of social vulnerability as well as discussing strategies to reduce vulnerabilities of selected social groups.
Monitoring global social trends
The Division monitors national and global socio-economic trends, including the identification of emerging issues, and assesses their implications for social policy at the national and international levels.
Poverty Eradication and Employment
Poverty Eradication
The Division provides support to member states in achieving the goal of eradicating absolute poverty through national and international cooperation. It also serves as the global focal point for the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006).
Cooperatives
The Division has a specific responsibility for monitoring: The promotion and development of cooperatives, including relevant developments in national and international legislation. The Section acts as focal point on cooperatives and works closely with the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC). It organizes special events to mark the International Day for Cooperatives.
Employment
The Division is the focal point within the United Nations Secretariat on matters relating to the Youth Employment Network (YEN) Secretariat. Together with its partners, the World Bank and the International Labour Organization, the Division seeks to implement the goal to “develop and implement strategies that give young people everywhere a real chance to find decent and productive work” as contained in the Millennium Declaration. To this end, the Division is working with core partner institutions of the ILO and World Bank and United Nations Secretariat to support Member States in carrying out national reviews and action plans on youth employment.
Social Integration and Social Inclusion
Ageing
The Division is the focal point within the United Nations system on matters related to Ageing. As the focal point, its primary action is to facilitate and promote the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, including designing guidelines for policy development and implementation; advocating means to mainstream ageing issues into development agendas; engaging in dialogue with civil society and the private sector; and promoting information exchange.
Families
The Division is responsible for the preparation and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. It assists Governments in the development, implementation and evaluation of appropriate family-related policies, programmes and initiatives; facilitates and promotes international cooperation in the field of family research; and provides technical assistance.
Youth
The Division is the focal point within the United Nations system on matters relating to youth. It enhances awareness of the global situation of youth and increases recognition of the rights and aspirations of youth; promotes national youth policies; and aims to strengthen the participation of youth in decision-making processes. Activities include support to the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond. The Division also assisted in the preparations for the first world conference of youth ministers, held in Lisbon in 1998.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Division is the focal point on matters related to persons with disabilities. The Division works to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in society and development, with mandates stem from the World Programme of Action (1982), Standard Rules (1994) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), as well as other relevant human rights and development instruments.
NGO Issues
The Civil Society and Outreach Unit
The Unit serves as an interface between the DSPD and non-governmental organizations. It acts as a gateway for NGOs interested in building a strong working relationship with the Division in advancing social progress and development. The Unit also deals with registration of NGO representatives attending major meetings organized by the Division.
Indigenous Issues
The Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council with the mandate to discuss questions of economic and social development, environment, health, human rights, culture and education as they pertain to indigenous peoples.
The Forum is to advise the Council and the United Nations system and pursue the mainstreaming and coordination of indigenous issues as well as raise awareness and disseminate information on indigenous issues.