Mainstreaming Social Considerations

United Nations Representatives gave updates on their country’ progress on meeting the social development goals by mainstreaming social considerations across development frameworks. The Austrian minister spoke about poverty and implantation of labor relations policies. The Brazilian minister asked, “Why are we not achieving our goals? Lack of equality due to socially constructed barriers contrary to human nature.” He proposed establishing a global alliance against hunger and poverty and making it the number one priority open to all members of the United Nations. The Portuguese minister spoke about making children a priority because 20% are at risk of extreme poverty. Portugal wants to guarantee free childcare for every child in Europe, and labor policies for a more just distribution of wealth, foster social dialogue between governments, companies and workers, invest in training for workers to provide the skills that answer the need of companies for skilled workers. No matter the nationality, race, language, sex, religion or any other factor that has led to discrimination in the past, all have an equal right to employment that leads to economic security.  The minister from Uganda spoke about affirmative action and equal opportunities for women, inclusivity and human rights at regional and international levels. In Uganda in the past fifteen years, life expectancy increased about 20%,  as did access to health care, access to clean water and electricity, and opportunities for women to borrow from a cooperative to build small businesses to support their families and for youth to get loans for the education needed to enter the work force. The minister from Costa Rica spoke about multilateralism and the importance of sharing new approaches to policies and plans geared toward building a better future together. They have focused on comprehensive joint planning and alliances depending on the participation of many stakeholders that ensure effective implementation. Delegates from other nations and nonprofit organizations spoke briefly from the floor on development and needs in their respective countries. Panelists responded to comments and questions from the floor and summarized multilateral interests.