The 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD 64) convenes under the priority theme “Advancing Social Development and Social Justice through Coordinated, Equitable, and Inclusive Policies.” As the principal ECOSOC functional commission responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, CSocD plays a central role in advancing poverty eradication, full and productive employment, and social integration. Despite progress, girls and young women from marginalized and informal communities—particularly those affected by energy poverty—continue to face systemic barriers to education, skills development, and participation in productive sectors, including renewable energy and green industries. These barriers undermine inclusive industrialization efforts and perpetuate social and economic inequalities.The Girls in Energy Project responds to these challenges through a coordinated approach that integrates linear pathways (formal education, skills certification, and employment) with non-linear pathways (community leadership, innovation, asset ownership, and policy engagement) plus 10MW Minigrids connecting communities
HIGH LEVEL SIDE EVENT ON COMMISSION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Date: Februarry 4th Time:10:00am -11:15AM NY Time, 3 PM – 4:15 PM WAT Format: Online
Organizers: DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative
PLATFORM
Registeration : Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/DTDCSosD64DTD
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DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative is a non profit organisation that uses formal and informal education as a creative tool through communications, media, and technology in empowering youths towards promoting change in the society.
An organisation in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, Geneva and Vienna,with the vision of Building youths for Sustainable Development.
Our role in SDGs 7 is to connect the youths to the opportunities that encourages innovations in value chains and cause growth for sustainable development
#GirlsinEnergy aimed at inspiring, educating, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in the energy sector through dynamic combination of conferences, competitions, career mentorship, and camps, #GirlsinEnergy seeks to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields, particularly in energy-related industries was declare open by the Initiator Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa
The event featured a dynamic career session with distinguished international speakers, including Rehana Mohamed EdD Lady B Bless , and Dr. Oladunni Owo , who shared their personal experiences and motivated the young participants to follow their aspirations in energy.
Mrs. Arogbodo, Principal of Ayedeere Ajibola Senior High School, warmly welcomed attendees and underscored the project’s potential to empower young women and pave the way for their success in the energy industry. Miss Otayomi Esther, Tutor in Charge, encouraged students to maximize the benefits of the initial 300 hours of the program.
Rehana Mohamed EdD delivered an inspiring keynote address highlighting the critical role of the energy sector and the transformative impact of the Girls in Energy project. She emphasized the program’s mentorship opportunities, career workshops, and site visits to leading energy companies, all aimed at equipping participants with the skills and knowledge necessary for thriving careers in energy.
Lady B Bless, co-founder and co-chair of the African & Caribbean Energy Network (ACEN) , spoke passionately about the importance of educating girls in energy as a pathway to women’s empowerment and sustainable development. Sharing her personal journey in the energy industry and her advocacy for gender equality in leadership, Lady B Bless expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming cohort and pledged her ongoing support to the participants.
Dr. Oladunni Owo further motivated the students by emphasizing the importance of career guidance and personal ambition in shaping their professional journeys.As the founder, Women in Energy, Oil & Gas (WEOG) delivered a compelling message on the urgency of closing the gender gap in the energy sector. She noted that 70% of energy solutions directly address national challenges and encouraged young girls to envision the world without energy to appreciate its critical importance. She shared inspiring examples of youth-led innovations in energy. She concluded with a call to action to “bring energy into the classroom” and introduced the empowering slogan:
“Energy Girls Closing Energy Gaps, Energy Girls Moving Nigeria Forward.”
Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) International Energy Agency (IEA) International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) African Bank Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Damilola Ogunbiyi Foluke Michael Damilola Olaniyi Anita Otubu Tunbosun Afolayan, SCMP®,CNN SDG7 Youth Constituency Simon Gosling