If you thought the Second World Summit for Social Development process was going to be a quiet affair, think again. An informal hearing on the Food for Thought paper just served up a delicious multi-course meal of demands, determination, and seasoned no-nonsense truth bombs. Stakeholders did not come to play.

Against many odds, and after three marathon years of negotiating like it was a geopolitical reality show, the nations of the world, yes, those ‘united’ nations that can barely agree on what day it is, have pulled off something extraordinary: a global pandemic treaty.

It is April 2025, and the global health equivalent of a high-stakes family reunion took place in New York. The 58th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD58) rolls into town with a theme that’s basically a warm hug in policy-speak: “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.” Sounds…

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when the global patriarchy tries to agree on what to do to accelerate progress on “gender equality,” look no further than CSW69. No, not that kind of 69 (haha!)…