Voice for UN Convention on the Poor

VUCP organized OHCHR Social Forum 2023 Side Event

On November 2nd and 3rd, 2023, OHCHR organized a two-day Social Forum. The theme for this year's Social Forum was "Contribution of Science, Technology, and Innovation to the Promotion of Human Rights," including in the context of post-pandemic recovery. In addition to the main event, nine more side events were organized within the Social Forum, organized by UN organizations, universities, governments, or NGOs. The Bangladeshi Citizens' Platform, Voice for UN Convention on the Poor (VUCP), which was formed this year, submitted its concept for a side event. This concept was accepted and approved by OHCHR. The key issue of the concept was based on the theme of the Social Forum, and the title is "Contributions of Social Science, Social Techniques, and Social Innovations for the Benefit of the Poor and Marginalized in the Enjoyment of Human Rights." The one-hour session was conducted on November 3rd at 7:00 PM Bangladesh time. Dr. Rezaul Islam, a professor of Social Work at DU, presented the keynote on the topic. The panel discussants were Selina Keya, who works with international organizations, and Advocate Saidur Rahman, an advocate and human rights defender. Economist Aman Ullah Aman concluded the session with a summary. Samia Ahmed, Treasurer of VUCP, welcomed the speech and moderated the event. The side event concept was developed, and the event was coordinated by Mahatab Uddin, General Secretary, VUCP.

Professor Islam said in his presentation that the opinions from the poor and marginalized not influencing the social discourse. According to him there is a major gap, inadequate consideration of historical context in theories. Overcoming resistance to paradigm shifts in social thought is a challenge. Integrating grassroots knowledge into theoretical frameworks are our missed opportunity. One of the panel discussant Selina Keya comments that where the social techniques are developing through the social interaction where the govern system, economic structure and social norms failed to contribute to the poor and marginalized. Panel discussant Advocate Saidur Rahman said, the Human Rights Instruments are indeed the milestone of the progress of human history. But it is true, human rights remain a luxury for the for the poor and marginalized. After the Universal declaration of human rights there are some specific Human Rights that have been declared for the special group of people, such as Women Rights Convention, Convention on the person with disabilities, Child Rights etc. The reality is the poor and marginalized people neither are nor benefited from this. To make them empowered and come out from the deprivation of the inequalities a separate UN Convention on the poor is necessary.

At the sum up and closing session Mr. Amam Ullah reminded that the title of the event is laying on a very large context and also it is a complex issue to talk about in a limited time frame. He wishes this conversation will continue with the interested groups and persons. He expresses the gratitude to the OHCHR to create the opportunity for VUCP to organize events on such an international platform. Diego Valadares Vasconcelos Neto, Human Rights Officer and many audiences online and in person from Geneva attend this event. Reference: Reference: https://indico.un.org/.../37243/VUCP%20Concept%20Note.pdf