Ignatian Delegation on Sustainable Development at UN

On July 9, the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) started in New York. It is a mechanism created by the United Nations to monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This platform, convened by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), brings together states, international organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations with the aim of promoting accountability and exchange around compliance with the 2030 Agenda. This year, the general theme will be “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. The following objectives will be evaluated in detail: Objective number 4, relating to quality education; 8, which refers to economic growth and decent work; 10, on reduction of inequalities; 13, on the fight against climate change, 16, on peace, justice and institutions, and 17, the creation of global alliances. In addition, 49 countries will voluntarily submit their reviews on how they are carrying out the 2030 Agenda in their territories.

On the initiative of the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat of the Society of Jesus, a Jesuit / Ignatian delegation will participate in this forum this year. In the words of Father General, Arturo Sosa, SJ: “This is an important event for the Society of Jesus, first of all because we have a long experience of working in all these fields in numerous places in the world: accompanying excluded persons and communities, working for justice and reconciliation and for the care of our common home. These themes have been confirmed in the recent Universal Apostolic Preferences, that we have received from the Holy Father, following the path traced by General Congregation 35 when it encouraged us to “establish links in the field of public advocacy between political power and those who find it difficult to make their voices heard, building bridges and offering new forms of understanding”.

The Jesuit / Ignatian delegation will attend the debates within the United Nations, it will organize the event entitled “How to collaborate in the care of the Common House” and participate in numerous events related to environmental sustainability, inequality, indigenous peoples, or the right to a quality education, among others.

Here you can consult the full program of the High Level Political Forum. and the flyer for “How can the Ignatian Family collaborate in the Care for our Common Home?” can be viewed here. For more information about the debates and events, make sure to follow us through our social media with the hashtag #HLPF2019.