International Association of Schools of Social Work with NGO Committee for Social Development, Congregations of St. Joseph, International Presentation Association and Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary

This side event will feature grassroots perspectives on the impact of Covid-19 on progress toward SDG 10 in communities in South America, Asia and Europe.

The April 2021 Report of the Secretary General on Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals reported that the pandemic has exacerbated inequalities and reversed the already slow progress toward SDG10. It outlined growing disparities in income, education, employment and, of course, health impacts of the pandemic itself.

The event is a follow-up to a pre-Covid-19 global survey done in 6 languages by the Grassroots Taskforce of the NGO Committee for Social Development. The results of the survey, which brought together the multidimensional aspects of inequality, showed a mixed picture of progress on reducing inequalities over the first 4 years of the 2030 Agenda. Survey respondents from lower income countries reported progress on education and health, areas severely impacted by the pandemic, including what the Secretary General labeled a “generational catastrophe” regarding education.

The panelists chosen for this side event all gave rich information on inequalities in their survey responses; they therefore can offer a unique before and after assessment. They will discuss the impact of Covid-19 in their communities and how it has affected the situation of inequalities. Where applicable, good practices to reach those most at risk of being left behind will be highlighted and suggestions for resilient recovery will be offered. For the speakers from VNR 2021 countries, the official VNR reports will be drawn upon to supplement the on-the-ground reports.

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