At the 63rd session of the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), VIVAT International helped carry the prophetic voice of civil society into global policy discussions, urging governments to move beyond rhetoric and deliver on justice, inclusion, and dignity for all.
This year, VIVAT’s engagement came through deep involvement in the Civil Society Forum, a vital platform for non-governmental organizations to shape the agenda and push for concrete commitments from Member States. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, VIVAT contributed to elevating civil society’s collective impact.
Shaping the Civil Society Forum
Working within the NGO Committee for Social Development, VIVAT played a key role in organizing the 2025 Civil Society Forum, ensuring that grassroots perspectives were present in high-level dialogues. The Forum featured a series of events designed to orient, inform, and mobilize civil society delegates ahead of the Commission. These included the “Breakfast with the Bureau,” pre-session briefings, and an orientation session tailored for new participants.
These events were not just logistical milestones—they were acts of advocacy, designed to prepare civil society to speak truth to power within the halls of the UN.
A Tool for Advocacy: Bridging Vision to Action
VIVAT also helped spearhead the second volume of Bridging Vision to Action, a publication that connects past commitments—like the Copenhagen Declaration—to current global priorities, including the Pact for the Future and the upcoming Second World Social Summit. This document is not an academic reflection but an advocacy tool crafted to equip NGOs for mission visits and policy engagement with UN member states.
Pushing for Space—and Strategy
In strategy meetings leading up to the CSocD session, VIVAT emphasized the need for civil society forums to be embedded within major UN summits, such as the Financing for Development Conference and the Second World Social Summit. These proposals reflected a broader vision: civil society must not only have a seat at the table but also help set the agenda.
Coordinating publication releases with diplomatic outreach was another way VIVAT brought purpose-driven strategy to civil society engagement. This alignment of message and moment reflects the heart of VIVAT’s advocacy: clear, courageous, and grounded in real-world impact.
Collaboration in Mission
Within the VIVAT Team, there has been intentional alignment between UN-level advocacy and the organization’s broader mission. Through regular internal briefings and collaborative planning, VIVAT’s work at the UN remains rooted in the lived realities of the communities it serves. VIVAT’s presence was further strengthened by the committed leadership of Marides Santos, who served as Co-Chair of the Civil Society Forum during this session.
Forward with Conviction
As leadership transitions take place within the NGO CSocD executive committee, VIVAT remains committed to amplifying the voices of those on the margins. The work continues through publications, forums, and everyday engagement with the UN system, calling on governments to meet their promises with policies that uplift people and the planet.
VIVAT International carries this mission forward with clarity, persistence, and prophetic resolve.
