The Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) of DESA has launched a new web portal called United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN), which will provide a global platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices in social development from around the globe.

Within the whole United Nations system, UNSDN will simplify the coordination, management, and dissemination of information and knowledge produced by the UN in the area of social development with particular attention to the three core issues of poverty eradication, employment generation and social integration.

UNSDN will promote greater awareness of social development issues including ageing, civil society, cooperatives, disability, employment, family, indigenous peoples, poverty eradication, social integration, technology and youth.

As stated by Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of DSPD, “There is an increasing awareness that knowledge is central to all development efforts as it empowers social actors to find appropriate solutions to their own challenges. By sharing knowledge, the portal aims to assist Member States in the development of policies and practices that promote the goals of the World Summit for Social Development.”

With half of the world’s Internet users now in developing countries, and with social networking sites expanding rapidly, the potential to share information and good practices for social development, and to cooperate in the pursuit of common goals, is greater than ever before. It is hoped that UNSDN will act as a major interface between DESA and the department’s global partners.