ICSD at the Second World Summit for Social Development (SWSSD)
Introduction to the Second World Summit for Social Development
The Second World Summit for Social Development (SWSSD) will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 4–6 November 2025. Thirty years after the landmark 1995 Copenhagen Declaration, the Summit brings governments, civil society, and international organisations together to reaffirm commitments to people-centred development, human rights, equality, and social justice.
View the full programme of events here.
As a global network of social development scholars, practitioners, and institutions, the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) is actively contributing to this milestone event. In July 2025, ICSD was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This status allows ICSD to formally participate in UN processes and ensures that the voices of our members and partners help shape global social development priorities.
Thanks to this recognition, ICSD has nominated 15 representatives to attend the SWSSD2. Our delegation will contribute to plenary sessions, side-events, and negotiations on the Political Declaration.
ICSD Response to SWSSD Priorities
In preparation for the Summit, ICSD has developed and issued both a detailed consultative response and a public statement. These documents highlight progress, identify persistent gaps, and propose actionable solutions in line with the Summit’s priorities:
1. Eradication of poverty
Poverty and hunger persist globally, 80% of people live in extreme poverty and it disproportionately affects women, youth, refugees, rural populations, older people and people with disabilities. ICSD calls for:
- Expanding gender-sensitive social protection coverage, and to improve benefits levels
- Linking social protection to employment, education, and health services.
- Greater collaboration and scaling up innovative, evidence-based poverty reduction strategies.
2. Full and productive employment and decent work for all
While global unemployment is at a historic low, precarious and informal work remains widespread. Women and youth face persistent barriers to employment. The ICSD urges:
• Inclusive labour market policies
• Recognition of precarious, care and informal work. Migrant worker rights.
• Tailored programmes for women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised workers.
• An end to child labour
3. Social integration and equality
Legal frameworks for social rights exist, but implementation lags. ICSD advocates for:
• Greater social investment in care, social services, health and education.
• Combating discrimination, exclusion and misinformation.
• Partnerships across governments, civil society and business to strengthen inclusion.
• Strengthening institutions and multidisciplinary practice.
4. Harnessing technology and Artificial Intelligence
Digital transformation offers opportunities in education, health, and social services, but risks of bias, misinformation and exclusion are real. ICSD supports:
• Ethical governance and inclusive design.
• Building capacity to use technology responsibly.
• Leveraging AI for people-centred development.
5. A Just Energy Transition
The move to renewable energy must not deepen inequality. ICSD calls for:
• Community-driven, people-centred transition strategies.
• Equitable sharing of benefits and protection for affected workers.
• Corporate and government accountability in aligning climate action with social justice.
Read the Full ICSD Response here and the summary statement here.
Advancing social development knowledge and practice worldwide
The ICSD is committed to strengthening institutions and advancing multidisciplinary practice as a foundation for meaningful social development. We support investment in capable institutions, accountable leadership, and sustainable financing, alongside collaboration across health, education, social protection, social work, community development, employment and other sectors. By fostering inclusive, cross-sector partnerships, ICSD works to ensure that policies translate into action and deliver people-centred, equitable outcomes worldwide.
ICSD at SWSSD: Next Steps
There will be 254 side events taking place at the summit. View the full programme of events here.
The ICSD is participating in the following ways:
- Accelerating Social Development: Solution-focused research, advocacy and practice – From Copenhagen to Beyond the Doha Declaration. This session will be chaired by former ICSD President Prof Monohar Pawar and current ICSD President Prof Leila Patel will be a featured speaker. Learn more here.
- Exhibition – Understanding Social Development:From Awareness to Action. More details to follow.
In addition the ICSD is a collaborating on the following sessions
- International Federation of Social Workers (lead) – Strengthening social integration through intergenerational Solidarity
- International Association of Schools of Social Work – Universal Social Protection as a Pillar of just Societies: Why it Matters and What can be done.
- International Council on Social Welfare (lead). Integrated Social Policy as a Core Driver of Sustainable Development
- ICSD is a collaborating partner with the South African government in the organisation of two side events – one is on the linkages between social protection, employment and services and the other is on social development and just energy transitions.
More details on these events to follow as they become available.