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SI Voices
SI Voices is a series of podcasts and webinars delivered by Soroptimist International, a global volunteer movement with a network of just under 65,000 members in 118 countries around the world. Together we work at international, national and local levels to educate, empower and enable opportunities for women and girls to achieve gender equality and avoid poverty.
SI Voices is a space to promote the voices of women and girls.
SI Voices
Social development: the heart of Soroptimist impact
In this episode, our host Dawn Marie Lemonds interviews Maria Fornella-Oehninger, SI UN Representative in New York, on social development.
Maria explains that social development improves well-being by enhancing quality of life, opportunities, and social structures. It promotes education, gender equality, healthcare, and economic growth, aiming for a fair and inclusive society.
Maria elaborates on the barriers to social development and the role that advocacy can play. She also speaks about CSocD63 (the Commission for Social Development). Maria outlines how the commission plays a key role in reviewing and promoting global social policies to improve well-being and achieve sustainable development.
She also references Soroptimist International's written statement on Social Development which was submitted to the UN Economic and Social Council.