The forum will provide a follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (July 5, 2019) The Salesians of Don Bosco will host side events at the upcoming United Nations High-level Political Forum, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. The event will be held from Tuesday, July 9 to Thursday, July 18 in New York.

The theme of the forum is “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” and will provide a follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The event enables the full and effective participation of all States Members of the United Nations and States members of specialized agencies.

During the High-level Political Forum, Salesian missionaries will host a side event titled “Addressing Inclusion, Inequality & Institutions” which will explore the grassroots views on Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, 10, 16 and 17 and the links between them. Held on July 10 from 2:00 to 3:45 p.m., this side event is hosted by the Salesians of Don Bosco and organized by Misean Cara, an Irish-based international missionary development movement backed by Irish Aid.

At the side event, panelists from four of the countries presenting their Voluntary National Reviews at the High-level Political Forum will initiate a conversation regarding their participation with Voluntary National Reviews processes in their countries along with the government and also as part of civil society. The conversations will suggest a way forward to strengthen civil society participation in Voluntary National Reviews processes and input into the larger conversations around reforming and strengthening the Voluntary National Reviews mechanism.

In addition, on July 11 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, in collaboration with Don Bosco Green Alliance, Don Bosco Network and Misean Cara, have organized a side event titled “Youth Aspirations & Climate Urgency.” This side event features six speakers from countries around the globe and brings youth into a conversation about their hopes and aspirations in a world that is threatened by the adverse effects of climate change.

“We are pleased to be involved in this year’s High-level Political Forum and collaborate in this side event on climate urgency,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions. “This event will ensure youth have a platform to discuss and explore how they are responding physically, emotionally and economically in a world that is facing temperature rise that will lead to extreme weather events with the potential to wreak havoc on their futures.”

The event will further address the need for climate mitigation through agriculture by enhancing sustainable livelihoods and the importance of household food and nutrition security. It will enumerate best practices for resiliency and increase adaptive capacities of youth towards adverse effects of climate change.

Both side events are the result of collaborative efforts and the support of numerous Salesian institutions. More than 30,000 Salesian missionaries are dedicated to caring for poor and at-risk youth in programs around the globe. Salesian programs assist poor and disadvantaged youth through education (academic, trade, agriculture) and workforce development initiatives, emergency relief and humanitarian aid, infrastructure support, clean water initiatives and nutritional and health services.

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