IASSW Team of Representatives to the United Nations New York
Report to the Board
January 1-March 31, 2024
Submitted by Lynne Healy, Main Representative

Commission for Social Development February 2024: IASSW was very active at the 62nd
session of the UN Commission for Social Development to be held in February. We are cosponsored two side events that were accepted as part of the Commission meetings. One, cosponsored with ICSW, was held on February 7: “Social policies to accelerate implementation ofthe 2030 Agenda: Promoting civic engagement and community participation.” Speakers
included Dr. Peta-Anne Baker of Jamaica, former IASSW board member, and Lynne Healy,
IASSW Main Representative. Sergei Zelenev of the International Council on Social Welfare wasthe main organizer of the event. The second one, “Still left behind: SDG implementation seenfrom the grassroots,” was submitted by IASSW and cosponsored with the Grassroots Task Forceof the NGO Committee for Social Development. Diana Dupuy-Faustin, IASSW graduate student
intern, presented the results of a survey that solicited grassroots views on SDG implementationin their localities. Lynne Healy provided summary comments following several speakers and 3
short video statements from Colombia, India, and Zambia. Both events were virtual and the links
were sent to the IASSW membership. Lynne Healy and the IASSW interns also prepared andsubmitted a written statement as part of the Commission’s documentation. IASSW team member
Marciana Popescu of Fordham University also presented in a side event at the Commission
session. Her presentation focused on migration.
Commission on the Status of Women: Team member Dr. Rebecca Davis organized a side eventfor the March Commission on the Status of Women. The title is: GIRLS’ RIGHTS ARE
HUMAN RIGHTS: EMPOWERING GIRL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. It will be heldon March 20 and again, the link has been circulated to all IASSW members. With Rebecca Davisas moderator, the presenters are Diana Dupuy-Faustin, University of Connecticut MSW Student
and IASSW Intern; Veerja Mehta, Rutgers University MSW Student; and Sam Slewion, Social
Work Department, United Methodist University & National Social Work Board of Liberia. It isgood to see how students are being highlighted.
Social Work Day at the United Nations. A huge disappointment is that the annual Social WorkDay at the UN in New York cannot be held this year. This was to have been a celebration of the40th such Social Work Day. There seems to be shrinking space for NGO participation at the UN.
Sponsorship by a government mission is required to hold an event in the UN building. Although
the IASSW, IFSW, ICSW organizing committee devoted several months to planning, they wereunable to secure a sponsor. It is hoped that the event can go forward next year. Perhaps board
members can be helpful in making contacts with their governments. We need to thank Shirley
Gatenio Gabel and Rebecca Davis for their efforts.

As a result of the cancellation, the usual student event will not be held in person. However, astudent planning group of the IASSW and IFSW interns has developed an online student event. Itwill be held on March 28.
Panama Conference: Four members of the IASSW team will be presenting a symposium inPanama on social work advocacy at the United Nations. Speakers are Shirley Gatenio Gabel(session organizer), Rebecca Thomas, Martha Bragin, and Lynne Healy. The session is scheduledfor Friday April 5.
Other UN News of Interest:
The United Nations has approved a proposal to hold a Summit for Social Development in 2025,
the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Copenhagen Summit for Social Development. Although theplanning time is short compared to the Copenhagen experience, it is important for IASSW andour sister organizations to engage in the summit preparations as much as possible.