Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
As we gear up for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in November 2025, 30 years after the first Social Summit in Copenhagen, we stand at a crucial moment in the pursuit of sustainable development and social equity. This upcoming Summit offers a significant opportunity to not only reflect on our past accomplishments and shortcomings but also to forge a coherent path forward in addressing the multifaceted challenges that have arisen in the contemporary global landscape and to accelerate SDG implementation. UNRISD, in collaboration with partners, has undertaken a series of global and regional consultations to ensure the outcomes of the WSSD2 are grounded in diverse, evidence-based perspectives and broad participation of different stakeholders.
This side event will present key findings from regional consultations with think tanks, academics and UN partners in Africa, Asia, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Nordic countries and the Arab region. It will discuss key social development challenges and potential policy solutions grounded in regional contexts and research evidence and explore the likely impact of negotiation outcomes of both WSSD2 and FfD4. It will provide a space for reflecting on next steps for civil society and academia to contribute to an ambitious and impactful WSSD2 and its implementation and follow-up process.
Speakers
Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona, Director, UNRISD
Mehrinaz El Awady, Leader of the Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development Cluster, ESCWA
Katja Hujo, Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD
Naila Kabeer, Professor of Gender and Development at the Department of International Development, LSE
Khurshid Zafari, Director, Social Policy Lab
Diego Sanchez-Ancochea, Associate Head for People at the Social Science Division, University of Oxford
Dzodzi Tsikata, Distinguished Research Professor of Development Studies, SOAS University of London
Salma Nims, Founder and Chief Consulting Officer, Gender Equality, Social Inclusion and WPS Expert, Inclusive Scopes Advisors
Eppu Mikkonen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland
As we gear up for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in November 2025, 30 years after the first Social Summit in Copenhagen, we stand at a crucial moment in the pursuit of sustainable development and social equity. This upcoming Summit offers a significant opportunity to not only reflect on our past accomplishments and shortcomings but also to forge a coherent path forward in addressing the multifaceted challenges that have arisen in the contemporary global landscape and to accelerate SDG implementation. UNRISD, in collaboration with partners, has undertaken a series of global and regional consultations to ensure the outcomes of the WSSD2 are grounded in diverse, evidence-based perspectives and broad participation of different stakeholders.
This side event will present key findings from regional consultations with think tanks, academics and UN partners in Africa, Asia, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Nordic countries and the Arab region. It will discuss key social development challenges and potential policy solutions grounded in regional contexts and research evidence and explore the likely impact of negotiation outcomes of both WSSD2 and FfD4. It will provide a space for reflecting on next steps for civil society and academia to contribute to an ambitious and impactful WSSD2 and its implementation and follow-up process.
Speakers
Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona, Director, UNRISD
Mehrinaz El Awady, Leader of the Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development Cluster, ESCWA
Katja Hujo, Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD
Naila Kabeer, Professor of Gender and Development at the Department of International Development, LSE
Khurshid Zafari, Director, Social Policy Lab
Diego Sanchez-Ancochea, Associate Head for People at the Social Science Division, University of Oxford
Dzodzi Tsikata, Distinguished Research Professor of Development Studies, SOAS University of London
Salma Nims, Founder and Chief Consulting Officer, Gender Equality, Social Inclusion and WPS Expert, Inclusive Scopes Advisors
Eppu Mikkonen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland
