United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development (UNDSPD)

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October 2008: In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the theme for this year's observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is "Human Rights and Dignity of People Living in Poverty".

47th Session of the Commission for Social Development

The Online Pre-Registration is now available for NGOs with ECOSOC Status for the Forty-Seventh Session of the Commission for Social Development which will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 4 to 13 February 2009.

Information Note
Letter of Invitation

The New Publication "Regional Dimensions of the Ageing Situation" contributes to the series of events, conferences and publications related to the first review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. It highlights priorities, as well as recent trends and policy developments, in the five UN regions of the world.

Foreword and Table of Contents
Full Publication

The 63rd session of the General Assembly Third Committee began its work on Monday, 6 October 2008. The Organization of the work is now available as document A/C.3/63/L.1

The General Assembly Second Committee began its general debate on Monday, 6 October 2008. The proposed organization of work is now available as document A/C.2/63/L.1

The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued six commemorative stamps and a souvenir card on the theme “We Can End Poverty”. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs invited children from all over the world to participate in an art competition in 2007 on the theme “We Can End Poverty”. Six of the winning entries were selected as stamp designs for the United Nations 2008 “We Can End Poverty” stamp issue.

The United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the United Nations General Assembly convened a High-level Event on the Millennium Development Goals at UN Headquarters in New York on 25 September 2008.
The High-level Event was a forum for world leaders to review progress, identify gaps, and commit to concrete efforts, resources and mechanisms to bridge the gaps. Click here for more information.

New Publication: Resource Kit on Indigenous Peoples´ Issues: SPFII, in cooperation with ILO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and SCBD has published the Resource Kit on Indigenous Peoples Issues. The Kit is aimed UN Country Teams (UNCTs), and other development agents, providing them with guidance as to how to engage indigenous peoples and include their perspectives in development processes.

New Publication: "Growing Together: Youth and the Work of the United Nations ". The brochure is a welcome example of how the United Nations system and the young people it serves are growing together. By taking stock of UN system activities related to youth development, the brochure provides a chance to assess how effectively the United Nations system is responding to this important development challenge, and it helps to identify any gaps that may exist in our approach.

New Publication: "Guide to the National Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing". The Guide takes two broad approaches towards actualizing MIPAA: the development of effective age-specific policies that facilitate the mainstreaming of older persons’ concerns into all aspects of development and policy-making; and the application of a holistic intergenerational life-course approach that emphasizes equity and inclusiveness for all age groups.

The 2008 Report of the Secretary-General A/63/133: Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly.

The report highlights a number of recommendations for achieving full employment and decent work for all. Click here to download the report in all 6 UN official languages and for more reports in the social policy area.