THEME: “Facing the Impact of Climate Change on Sustainable Development”

October 16-17, 2023 (via Zoom) and October 18, 2023 (Oracle Hotel, Quezon City) | 9:00AM to 4:00PM

“Ang lahat ng bagay ay magkaugnay” (“Everything is connected”). This thought which was popularized in a Filipino song describes the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. This may also describe how several issues that Filipino society faces today are intertwined and need urgent attention all at the same time. 

This October 16-18, 2023, CODE-NGO shall hold its annual Social Development Week (SocDev Week) 2023 with the theme “Facing the Impact of Climate Change on Sustainable Development”. A copy of the programme can be located on the next page. Specifically, the SocDev Week aims:

• To provide a platform of discussion with CSOs, government, academe, business sector and the marginalized on pressing issues related to sustainable development.
• To highlight positive narrative experiences through initiatives, best practices and/or innovation of national CSO alliances, business groups, academe, government, and/or youth groups on mitigating the impact of climate change affecting particularly food security, health, and economic development.
• For CSOs and CSO networks to gain insights on addressing the climate and development challenges presented especially considering the CODE-NGO Network’s implementation of the new Strategic Plan 2023-2028 with core strategic priorities of good governance, resiliency, active citizenship, and youth leadership, towards identifying ways forward on these. 

Rationale

While civil society organizations (CSOs) may have contributed to addressing challenges related with the COVID-19 pandemic, and a weakening Philippine democracy, burning issues related to climate change that greatly affect food security, health and economic development remain. Despite this, after the 2 years of lockdowns, the country is emerging from the challenges brought about by the pandemic towards resiliency. A number of CSOs braved their COVID-19 experiences with positive and unabated stories of “bayanihan” (cooperation), “katatagan” (resilience) and “pag-asa” (hope). A year after the National and Local Elections, CSOs learn to understand the context of changing political climates and democratic backsliding as they coalesce to build strength. Now, the world’s leaders focus their resources on compensating climate impacts. In December 2022, the 27^th United Nations Climate Change Conference ended with an historic deal to create the “loss and damage fund” in which countries responsible for high carbon emissions will compensate vulnerable countries suffering from the impacts of these acts. For the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), CSOs should face climate change head on to mitigate risks. 

Climate change is causing a multitude of detrimental social, economic, health, environment and other impacts on vulnerable communities who contributed the least to the climate crises where environmental and climate justice is rooted. As the climate continues to change, millions of poor people face increasing challenges in terms of extreme events, health effects, food, water, and livelihood security, migration and forced displacement, loss of cultural identity, and other related risks. In short, the climate crisis is making existing inequalities and injustices a whole lot worse.  

Addressing climate risks, ensuring food security, health, peace, and other development issues seem daunting to look at. While each may have their unique character, CSOs should also recognize that these are interrelated and have evolved through time. Yet as CSOs are diverse in the Philippines, CSOs and CSO networks should also maintain focus on how to address the interconnected issues and concerns, working together towards environmental justice and ultimately achieve climate justice. Environmental and climate justice is a civil rights issue, since all depend on the physical environment and its bounty. 

REGISTER NOW for FREE:

e-Talk Sessions: https://bit.ly/EtalkSDW2023

Public Forum: https://bit.ly/codengoPF2023

Program

For more information, please contact: 

Sandino Soliman (E: ssoliman@code-ngo.org or M: 0917 505 2802)

CC:

Anna Abalahin (E: aabalahin@code-ngo.org or M: 0995 967 5798)

Lianna Cabigas (E: lcabigas@code-ngo.org or M: 0927 773 0161)