ASEZ Attending the 68th UN Civil Society Conference
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ASEZ, Church of God University Student Volunteer Group, attended the 68th UN Civil Society Conference at the invitation of the UN in August 2019. ASEZ members held a workshop during the conference and explored the role of young adults in building sustainable cities with UN officials and representatives of civic groups.
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Major Projects and Activities
• SDGs Implementation Activities • Climate Change Response Activities • Community Service Special Lecture
• Duberlí Apolinar Rodríguez Tineo, Peruvian Supreme Court Justice • Sylvio Mário Puga Ferreira, Rector of the Federal University of Amazonas, Brazil, and Others • Bianca Dager Jervis, Ecuador’s Vice Minister of the Environment Global Cooperation
• Forums/Conferences • Supporting Signatures Campaign (Join) • Signing of MOUs / Advisory Committee Members Appointment |
Background of the UN Civil Society Conference
Since the establishment of its Department of Public Information in 1946,[1] the United Nations (UN) has supported the efforts of civil society organizations (CSOs) that form strategic partnerships with the UN to address global challenges.[2] Maher Nasser, former Director of the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC), emphasized, “Civil society organizations are the front-line defenders working in the most vulnerable and marginalized areas,” and emphasized that collaboration with civil society is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[3] In March 2022, during a virtual side event of the 66th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed this commitment, stating, “Civil society organizations play a bridging role between governments and people.”[4]
The UN Civil Society Conference, which ASEZ attended, is organized annually by the UNDGC to foster such engagement. It is the UN’s largest gathering dedicated to civil society participation and has been a part of the organization’s outreach since its early years. Each year, the conference draws more than 3,000 participants—including representatives from over 700 civil society organizations across more than 100 countries—alongside UN officials, government representatives, academics, and members of the media. Together, they collaborate to address pressing global issues such as environmental protection and human rights.[5]
Notably, in June 2016, the conference was held for the first time in Asia—in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. At this historic event, participants adopted the “Gyeongju Declaration,” which emphasized global citizenship education and called for international cooperation to ensure equal access to education worldwide.[6]
The 68th UN Civil Society Conference
Conference Overview
ASEZ participated in the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference, held from August 26 to 28, 2019 (local time), at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. The theme of the conference, “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities,” aligned with Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the proportion of the global population living in urban areas is expected to rise from 55% in 2018 to 68% by 2050.[7] In response to this trend, hundreds of civil society organizations gathered at the conference to host forums and workshops, discussing practical solutions for sustainable urban development. Key issues addressed included urban inequality, environmental and ecosystem degradation, and the challenges of infrastructure development.
ASEZ Workshop[8]
On August 28, ASEZ hosted a workshop under the theme “Young Adult Innovation and Volunteer Service,” focusing on the pivotal role young people play in achieving sustainable urban development. The event drew more than 250 participants, including UN officials, civic organizations, and university professors, who engaged in meaningful and in-depth discussions.
The workshop was structured in the form of a talk concert, beginning with a keynote speech by Katherine St. John, President of the United Nations Association of Utah Chapter, U.S. Under the theme “Promoting Youth Volunteering Through Intergenerational Cooperation,” President St. John emphasized the importance of volunteer work that brings together the energy of progressive youth with the wisdom of experienced community elders. She also highlighted how university students can contribute to their communities through their academic disciplines.
Dean McGovern, Executive Director of the Lowell Bennion Community Center at the University of Utah, delivered a talk titled “Volunteer Services by University Students and Community Development.” He stated, “So many of our problems are so large they cannot be solved by individuals or small groups. It takes many hands, hearts, and heads to solve these problems. And ASEZ helps bring people together,” commending the organization’s efforts to foster collaboration and civic engagement.
The final presentation was given by Sydney Alyse Rogers, student representative of the ASEZ Salt Lake City Branch. She introduced the “Reduce Crime Together” project as part of ASEZ’s global initiative for building sustainable cities and shared upcoming activity plans with fellow ASEZ members from across the United States. “Sometimes we feel a volunteer activity didn’t change much,” Rogers said, “when actually, it creates a ripple effect that spreads out farther than we realize. Young people full of passion and positivity can inspire and ignite the world. We can find innovative and new ways to solve the problems we face today.”
Guy Djoken, Executive Director at UNESCO Peace Center and workshop attendee, added, “The role of young people like ASEZ members is extremely important. If we want a better future, we must do everything we can now.” He expressed strong support for ASEZ’s ongoing campaigns.[9]
Meanwhile, ahead of the workshop, ASEZ signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the United Nations Association of Utah Chapter and the Lowell Bennion Community Center. These partnerships lay the foundation for continued collaboration and expanded volunteer efforts in the future.
See also
- ASEZ (The Church of God University Student Volunteer Group)
- Activities for Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
External links
References
- ↑ UNDPI, It has been renamed to UNDGC (United Nations Department of Global Communications).
- ↑ History of Cooperation between DPI and the NGO Community, United Nations
- ↑ 66th UN World NGO Conference Held in South Korea, the First in Asia, Chosun Edu, April 11, 2016
- ↑ Virtual Townhall Meeting of Civil Society and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (CSW66 Side Event), UN Web TV, March 16, 2022
- ↑ UN Civil Society Conference, United Nations
- ↑ 66th UN NGO Conference Concludes with Adoption of the "Gyeongju Declaration", Korea NGO News, June 1, 2016
- ↑ 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN, UNDESA
- ↑ ASEZ was invited to the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference, ASEZ.org, August 28, 2019
- ↑ ASEZ University Student Volunteer Group from the Church of God Attends UN Civil Society Conference, The Joongbu Ilbo, September 5, 2019