On September 20, 2024, over 150 civil society leaders and funders joined us in person or virtually for a hybrid discussion co-organized by CIVICUS, the Movement for Community-Led Development (MCLD), NEAR, Peace Direct and WINGS.
The event was held on the sideline of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) for “Local Action, Global Accountability”, was an interactive session that brought together key stakeholders to ensure that global commitments to better support the locally-led agenda across sectors translate into meaningful actions in countries and with communities.
Event Speakers:
Session 1: Power in Practice: Showcasing Locally-Led Initiatives
- Sita Supomo, Executive Director, Indonesia for Humanity (IKA)
- MacBain Mkandawire, Executive Director, Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO)
- Peter Njuguna, Director, St. John’s Community Centre, Kenya
- Rebecca Dali, Founder, CCEPI, Nigeria
- Kessy Martine Ekomo Soignet, Founder, PDWRC, CAR
Session 2: Commitments in Action: Demonstrating Donor and UN Accountability
- Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General – UN PBSO
- Sarah Rose, Senior Advisor on Localization to the Administrator, USAID
- Shaheen Kassim-Lakha, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
- Tara Soomro, ECOSOC Ambassador, UK Mission to the UN
- Birgitte Nygaard Markussen, Director of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, Civil Society, and Engagement, Danish MFA
- Kimberly Bayer, Deputy VP, International Programs, Ford Foundation
With:
- Mandeep Tiwana, CIVICUS
- Anita Kattakuzhy, Director of Policy, NEAR
- Vahe Mirikian, Managing Director, US Office – Peace Direct
- Benjamin Bellegy, Executive Director – WINGS
- Gunjan Veda, Global Secretary – MCLD
The Recording is available in English, French, and Spanish
Featured Photo Credit: Benedicte Yenyi, Peace Direct