MDG 2010 summit informal hearings

On Monday and Tuesday, I will attend the Informal Interactive Hearings of the General Assembly in preparation for the MDG 2010 summit (High-level Plenary Meeting). The UN Member States hope this MDG 2010 summit will rally support and encourage collective action in reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The UN Member States asked the General Assembly President to organize these hearings to give NGOs and CSOs an opportunity to provide input.

There will be panel discussions and interactive hearings on issues like human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, and indigenous people’s concerns. We will highlight best practices and lessons learned as well as the constraints of structural and systemic factors. The themes will be:

1. Building a better tomorrow: local actions, national strategies and global structures
2. Equal and inclusive partnerships: Accountability in the fight against
   poverty
3. Sustaining development and withstanding crises
4. From voice to policy: 1660 days left

I am really excited to hear the many stories from people around the world and to learn about all the different organizations working towards a better world. Look for an update after the event to hear how it went from my perspective as an observer.