A new web portal — United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN)

On behalf of my Director Ms. Daniela Bas, I am pleased to inform you that the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) has launched a new web portal (as a pilot projectcalled United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN)to share knowledge and good practices among social development professionals worldwide on ageing, civil society, cooperatives, disability, employment, family, indigenous peoples, poverty, social integration, technology and youth. UNSDN is uniquely positioned to disseminate information and knowledge produced by the United Nations system in the area of social development, particularly on the three core issues of poverty eradication, employment generation and social integration. UNSDN will act as a major interface between DESA’s work in the area of social development and that of its partners involved in advancing the global social development agenda.

There is an increasing awareness that knowledge is central to all development efforts as it empowers social actors to find appropriate solutions to their own challenges. By sharing knowledge, the portal aims to assist Member States in the development of policies and practices that promote the goals of the World Summit for Social Development.

I, therefore, invite you to visit the portal and explore how you can contribute to it and engage effectively with DSPD-DESA and the United Nations system as a whole. We want to strengthen our partnership and deliver together on our global commitments. To that end, I very much look forward to your suggestions, feedback and recommendations on the use of this portal and the way forward.

By working together, we can build more prosperous societies and a more just, equitable and sustainable world!

The portal can be accessed at: http://www.unsdn.org.