The Girls Education Initiative Ghana – US, Inc. Founder and President Elizabeth Patterson will participate in a panel discussion at the 55th Commission on Social Development at United Nations Headquarters, New York. The event will take place on Monday, February 6 in the General Assembly Building’s Conference Room E.

The side event is entitled: “Global Citizenship for Social Development: Universal Curriculum Design and ICT-Facilitated Intercultural Learning Environments for All Students.” The panel will explore the process of Universal Design Learning (UDL) and the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the development of citizens that are competent cross culturally and can become global citizens.

This side event explores how education can contribute to reducing poverty and enhancing human life and what kind of teaching and learning best address the needs of all learners.

The Commission on Social Development (CoSD) is an annual conference that reviews progress and best practices from UN Member States in the mitigation of poverty, development of stable employment and inclusion of marginalized members of developing societies including children, youth and the aged. These goals are included in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The theme for the 55th conference is: “Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all”.

As stated on the web page for the department web site overseeing the conference: “The Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) is part of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations Secretariat. The Division seeks to strengthen international cooperation for social development, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication, productive employment and decent work and the social inclusion of older persons, youth, family, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, persons marginalized from society and development.”

DPSD is responsible for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that was adopted at the United Nations Summit in New York from 25 to 27 September 2015.

As stated by DPSD: “The Agenda is a broad and universal policy agenda, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 169 associated targets which are integrated and indivisible.”

The Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (U.S.), Inc. is a registered and incorporated corporation in New York State and a 501c3 federal organization in the United States. The organization is committed to providing academic and financial support for girls and applicants with special needs so that they can access higher education and professional opportunities in Ghana. In addition, it participates in education and advocacy programs in New York City and the United States.