61st Session for the Commission on Social Development, CSocD61 at UNHQ

Civil Society Forum 2023, February 10th, 2023, Trusteeship Council, UNHQ

The Civil Society Forum was organized by a dynamic team with Sr. Jean Quinn as the Chair.

There were two sessions – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The panels on both sessions were inspiring and offered hope to many in the workforce that valuing the dignity and worth of the human is of the highest concern and given great priority. Many examples of this were shared:

Working and Learning Electronics Recycling, Inc. (WALTER), providing job opportunities for people facing persistent barriers to employment; allowing those employees the opportunity to build self esteem and worth.
Labhya Foundation, an education-based nonprofit impacting millions of vulnerable children.

Dr. Arash Fazli, Asst. Professor and Head of the Baha’i Chair for Studies in Development at Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India shared about the importance of. Some highlights from his presentation:

the pandemic showed us how vulnerable we are and how interconnected we all are.
we need a new set of values to center our society based upon collaboration and cooperation
we are spiritual beings having a moral purpose.
principles based on interdependence which allow for collective thriving
foster a sustainable relationship with the natural environment.
a need for fundamental changes in behaviors to tackle climate change such as to give up self-interests and comfort zones, etc.