Themes » Youth-Led Advocacy » United Nations Advocacy

Whether it’s your first time or whether you are already a well-weathered advocate, preparing to attend a New York based UN event like the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), or the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t need to be! 

 

The 'So you're going to the UN, Now What?' infographic aims to help young people successfully advocate for their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). 

This resource was created for anyone looking to learn more on how to successfully prepare to attend a UN process in New York. There are many different reasons to go to the UN: Commission: to advocate for your rights, to learn, to share your experiences, to network, to gain professional experience etc.; this guide is focused primarily on young people looking to do advocacy at the UN in New York, but it can be useful for a broader audience. It includes information on:

  • how to conduct evidence-based advocacy,
  • creative methods for capturing public attention and support,
  • how to follow-up with international commitments back home,
  • and even a handy packing list!

 

Factsheets on UN processes

these factsheets provide you with information on what the process is about, why it is important, and how you can get involved. This series includes Factsheets on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Commission on Population and Development (CPD), High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and relevant Treaty Monitoring Bodies (TMBs).

 

2030 Agenda

Also referred to as the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or simply as the Global Goals, the 2030 Agenda provides a global blueprint for international development for the coming fifteen years. The 2030 Agenda consists of 17 SDGs and 169 Targets which cover a broad range of development issues, including improving health and education, gender equality, combatting climate change, and ending poverty.

Together with Rutgers, we developed a resource that will help you to incorporate the 2030 Agenda and SDGs in your advocacy work. Download the youth friendly guide to effective SRHR advocacy using the 2030 Agenda.You can also read all about the 2030 Agenda in our 2030 two-pager.

 

Commission on the Status of Women

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) helps the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to monitor, review, and assess the implementation of the Beijing Programme for Action (BPfA) at the national, regional, and international level. Every year member states gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and to negotiate a series of action-oriented outcome documents in the form of agreed conclusions and resolutions based on one of the issues highlighted in the BPfA.

Download our Factsheet on the CSW in EnglishFrench or Spanish.

Read here Emi's and Prisca's experience stories! 

 

Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an important part of the UN system which is responsible for the strengthening, promotion, and protection of human rights around the world. This Factsheet provides you an overview of the essentials: what is the HRC, why is it important, and how you can engage with it.

Download our Factsheet on the HRC in English, French, or Spanish.

 

Commission on Population and Development

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) helps the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to monitor, review, and assess the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (PoA) at national, regional, and international levels and advises ECOSOC on: issues and trends regarding population and development strategies, the ICPD PoA etc. The CPD takes place yearly in New York to address key thematic issues which include adolescents and youth; ageing; environment; family planning; fertility; HIV/AIDS; international migration; marriage and unions; mortality ; population policies; population trends and urbanization.

Download our Factsheet on the CPD in EnglishFrench or Spanish!