Good Practices and Challenges in the 2030 Agenda – Showcasing ongoing inclusive strategies of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent

For registration : https://theinclusivityproject-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tdO-srzIsEtUCr_6DcIxAGIm2Tj2kCt3J

The Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN in New York together with the Permanent
Mission of North Macedonia, Permanent Mission of Canada (TBC) and the
Permanent Missions of Austria, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, Gambia (TBC) and UN
Women (Racial Justice) are delighted to co-organize a HLPF 2024 side event alongside the
Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) and The
Inclusivity Project uniting organizations working for recognition and rights of Communities
Discriminated on Work and Descent including the African Network on Discrimination based
on Work and Descent and Contemporary Forms of Slavery (ANDS), The Africa GFoD, The
Asia Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF), the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network
(ERGO Network) and the National Coordination of Rural Black Quilombola Communities
(CONAQ – Coordenação Nacional de Articulação das Comunidades Negras Rurais
Quilombolas)

The session will highlight the importance of addressing discrimination based on work and
descent as a critical step towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Through an exchange of ideas on inclusive and equitable approaches, strengthening
partnerships and collaborative practice, the side event is an opportunity for all stakeholders to
renew their commitment to the principle of ‘Leaving no one behind’ and reinforce the 2030
Agenda for 270 million people across the world who are discriminated on work and
descent.        

Context: Growing recognition and acceptance has resulted in the recognition of the Stakeholder Group of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (SG-CDWD) anchored in GA
resolution 67/290 as part of Major Groups and Other Stakeholders in 2020. Since then, the
SG-CDWD has ensured the representation and participation of voices of some of the most
sidelined communities in the national and regional SDG implementation strategies.
Member States and UN Agencies have been receptive to responding to the demands and
initiating systematic documentation efforts and recognition and inclusion efforts into the
systematic design of policies to mechanisms for the marginalized.
Despite significant progress, discrimination remains a major barrier to achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
emphasizes the importance of leaving no one behind and recognizes the need for inclusive
development. Marginalized groups—such as women, minorities, persons with disabilities,
and Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD). These intersecting  discriminations perpetuate cycles of exclusion and hinder their full participation in economic,
social, and political life.

Who are Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD?

Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) are known by many
names depending on where they live and the languages they speak. Together they
represent 270 million individuals, which would constitute the 6th largest country on earth.
Dalits and Burakumin in Asia, the “slave caste” in The Gambia and Mauritania called
jongoo/komo and Haratin, the Quilombola in Brazil and Roma in Europe and beyond are just
some examples of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD). These
communities share the common experience of living in socially segregated societies that
discriminate against them based on the perceived low social status often tied to labels such as
“unclean” or “polluted” often tied to traditional professions.

In 2024 many Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) offer a unique opportunity to showcase
achievements in countries with significant CDWD populations. However, work and
collaboration with CDWD is an ongoing process and need not be reduced to the VNR process
this event also wishes to showcase. Some examples of recent successes paired with ambitions and new policy initiatives this side event will highlight include:

1. The Inclusion in the Census in several countries and overcoming the invisibility of
counting everyone in government censuses, states have taken a critical step toward
recognizing the existence and needs of all communities, including marginalized and
descent-based groups. This inclusion ensures policy-making and resource allocation
with CDWD in mind.

2. Budgets and Allocation of Quotas notable advancements in budget allocations and the
implementation of quotas to support CDWD and other groups in areas such as
education, political representation, healthcare, and housing.

3. Recognition and Regional Human Rights Mechanisms has also been bolstered by the
efforts of regional human rights mechanisms and civil society organizations,
particularly in Africa. Organizations like the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights and civil society movements across regions have united to form
coalitions that push for greater recognition and protection of these groups rights.

4. The Platform Provided by the SDGs emphasize inclusivity and aim to leave
no one behind, giving descent-based communities a critical opportunity to be seen and
heard on the global stage despite not being acknowledged specifically and the lack of
targets the Agenda 2030 has allowed for wide civil society participation and
contributed to the successes of the CDWD movement.

Building on the growing recognition and systematic creation of efforts to include the
most marginalized this side event wishes to build on and highlight some
achievements and best practices states and UN agencies have championed. Member
states and renowned leaders of the CDWD will address this side event.

It is hybrid event, taking place on zoom and UN, Conference Room F, New York

(Indicated time is the NY time EDT)