Statement to UNGA 78 – Third Committee 
Agenda item 24 (a, b): Social development
New York, 28/29 September 2023

Mr. Chair,

Allow me first to congratulate you and the Bureau on your election during this anniversary year of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. 

Mr. Chair,

The social dimension of development is perhaps the most human of the three dimensions of development, reflecting our duty to “act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”[1] As Pope Francis has said, “Everyone is our neighbor. Regardless of the color of their skin, their social standing, the place from which they came, if I myself am poor, I can recognize my brothers or sisters in need of my help.”[2] In this regard, it is essential that we work together to foster conditions for integral human development. This begins with efforts to eradicate poverty, ensuring that everyone’s basic needs for life are met while, at the same time, respecting different values, contexts, and priorities. 

Integral human development also requires caring for the social, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing of each person. It is grounded in the intrinsic, God given, dignity of each human being as both an individual and irreplaceable member of the human family. For that reason, we must not reduce any person to particular characteristics, categories, or group identities. Rather, we must recognize our common humanity, which is at the heart of our equality, and our obligations toward each other.  

Mr. Chair,

The importance of the family cannot be overstated. As the “natural and fundamental group unit of society”, the family “is entitled to protection by society and the State,”[3]particularly since it represents a “school for deeper humanity,”[4] and provides each of us with our first experience of generosity, compassion, and love. In addition, families often serve as the only support for those in vulnerable situations. For that reason, social protection systems should focus on supporting families in these essential roles, including promoting the essential and distinctive contributions of mothers and fathers to the wellbeing of their children. 

Similarly, access to education is essential to achieving integral human development, particularly in preparing children to be responsible members of society. Therefore, States must make every effort to make quality education available to everyone. Education programs should also support parents as the primary educators of their children and respect their right and duty to determine their children’s upbringing. Universal literacy and numeracy, with opportunities for making up lost learning, should be prioritized. Skills training is also important, not only as a way for youth to enter the workforce, but also as a way for experienced workers, including older persons, to improve or acquire new competencies and potentially shift into new fields. 

In addition, work provides a way to contribute time and talent for the betterment of society, as well as a sense of purpose and self-respect. More specifically, a just economic system is one in which people can support themselves, and requires addressing youth unemployment, informal working arrangements, and lack of labor rights.[5] As Pope Francis has warned, “If economic profit takes precedence over the individual and over humanity, we find a throw-away culture at work that considers humanity in itself, human beings, as a consumer good, which can be used and then thrown away.”[6]

Mr. Chair,

The “throwaway culture,” which Pope Francis often references, has spread across all social spheres, reducing the value of human beings to what they produce. Is it any wonder that “persons are no longer seen as a paramount value to be cared for and respected, especially when they are poor and disabled, “not yet useful’ – like the unborn, or ‘no longer needed’ – like the elderly”[7]? The answer to this is to put solidarity into practice, particularly with regard to the most vulnerable among us. Only by doing so can we achieve true social development. 

Thank you. 

[1] Cf. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 1

[2] Pope Francis, Message for the 2023 World Day of the Poor.

[3] Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 16(3). 

[4] Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, No. 52.

[5] Cf. Pope Francis, Address to the participants in the World Meeting of Popular Movements, 28 October 2014. 

[6] Ibid. 

[7] Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, No. 18.