WYA's Road to Rio at the United Nations
1. Commission for Social Development (February 1 – 10, 2012)
UN Headquarters, New York
Theme: Poverty Eradication
The Road to Rio began at the Commission for Social Development where WYA will be present to ensure that the fight against poverty was focused on the level of the individual—emphasizing the importance of educating and investing in persons so that their natural capacities may flourish. We highlighted the conditions necessary for persons to bring themselves out of poverty and live in accordance with their dignity.
Read the WYA statement at the United Nations Commission for Social Development.
2. Commission on the Status of Women (February 27 – March 9, 2012)
UN Headquarters, New York
Theme: Empowerment of Rural Women
On the way to Rio, the voices of WYA called for an attention to the issues of health care, shelter, education, equal participation and protection for women at the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women. Our emphasis was be on the crucial significance of improving access to maternal and reproductive health and education in order to better the lives of rural women.
3. Commission on Population and Development (April 23 – 27, 2012)
UN Headquarters, New York
Theme: Adolescents and Youth
WYA was at the Commission on Population and Development in order to defend the view that human capital and creativity are the essential drivers of development. We advocated for the importance of meeting basic demands for access to clean water, sanitation, and adequate healthcare so that all persons, and in particular youth, may take concrete steps toward authentic development.
4. Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development, 20 – 22 June 2012
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Themes: a) A green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and b) the institutional framework for sustainable development
WYA is going to Rio to uphold a person-centered approach to the three pillars of sustainable development: economic development, social development, and environmental protection. Our aim is to ensure that the inherent dignity of the human person remains at the forefront of all development pursuits.
