Megatrends, including new technologies, rapid urbanization and migration, as well as demographic and climate change, have been dramatically shaping our world. In preparation for the Thirtieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, 2024 (IYF+30) the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs aims to raise awareness of the above megatrends, their impact on families and responsive family-oriented policies to tackle their effects.

Ageism leads to poorer health, social isolation, earlier deaths and cost economies billions: report calls for swift action to implement effective anti-ageism strategies

Every second person in the world is believed to hold ageist attitudes – leading to poorer physical and mental health and reduced quality of life for older persons, costing societies billions of dollars each year, according to a new United Nations report on ageism.

In the run-up to the launch of the UN Global Report on Ageism, DESA is joining the Global Coalition on Aging, NYC Department for the Aging, and NYU Silver School of Social Work for an interactive discussion on how to tackle ageism and take concrete steps towards equity for all ages. Twelve experts from across industries will talk about the impact ageism has on the lives of New Yorkers and older adults around the globe. The event will take place on Tuesday, 16 March 2021 from 2:00 to 3:30pm ET.

Register here: bit.ly/3kCiky6

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to an unprecedented halt and upended societies, and its ramifications are expected to be long lasting. The crisis has also intensified or brought to the forefront other trends, including rampant and growing inequalities, the vulnerability in economies around the world and in our social protection systems, including health care, and the impact human development has on the natural world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and heightened glaring inequalities around the world, especially when it comes to income and wealth distribution, access to health care, protection under the law, and political inclusion. Persons with autism have long faced many of these inequalities, which have only been further exacerbated by the pandemic.

DESA joined a panel discussion on Building Back Better in post-pandemic Asia: Back to the future for older people? (9 March 2021), organized by HelpAge Asia Pacific and Asia Development Bank. Watch event here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knsCqfVlGiI&t=3387s

The shared experience of our global challenges brought to light even more through the pandemic, has proven that we can do more for our aging populations in connecting them to the benefits of ICT’s. The pandemic has exposed critical gaps in our health and care systems, our economies, our cities and communities, our built environments, and our societies – gaps that have had an outsized negative impact on the health and wellbeing of older persons.

In preparation for the 2021 session, the Permanent Forum will conduct informal virtual dialogues with Indigenous Peoples and Member State representatives.

For more information on the regional dialogue on the Arctic, please click here.

Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen – Visit Greenland.

In preparation for the 2021 session, the Permanent Forum will conduct informal virtual dialogues with Indigenous Peoples and Member State representatives.

For more information on the regional dialogue on North America, please click here.

En preparación para la sesión de 2021, el Foro Permanente llevará a cabo diálogos virtuales informales con representantes de los pueblos indígenas y los Estados Miembros

The aim of this event during the 59th Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) is to show how digital technologies can become a driving force for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. This event aims to initiate a conversation about how digital technologies can advance the rights of persons with disabilities at national and international levels.