People's Assembly
Full Programme for the Global People’s Assembly 2023 on 17-18 Sept
The programme for the Global People’s Assembly 2023 is now available in: English, French and Spanish.
The Global People’s Assembly is a platform for citizens worldwide that come together to discuss pressing global issues, share perspectives and demand accountability for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from their governments. In a world facing complex challenges, this Assembly emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a stage for civil society organizations, activists, marginalized groups, experts, and concerned citizens to join forces and amplify their voices. It is organised by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), and co-organised by 60 other civil society organisations.
For more updates and information, visit the website at peoplesassembly.global .
Global People’s Assembly 2023 on 17th-18th of September, in New York
The Global People’s Assembly 2023 will be on 17 (Sunday) and 18 September (Monday) in New York – at the UN SDG Summit and the UN General Assembly. To register and stay updated, visit the website at: peoplesassembly.global
The Global People’s Assembly (GPA) brings people’s representatives together and creates a strong voice at the SDG Summit for the midpoint of Agenda 2030. The assembly will be in-person in the Church Centre of the UN (opposite the UN), with 300 participants expected. Participants can also join online — we look forward to 2000 participants joining virtually, from across the world.
The GPA is the culmination of community and national People’s Assemblies in 35 countries and counting, where representatives of marginalised and excluded groups and civil society monitored and discussed the SDG implementation. Its objective is to bring civil society together and ensure that governments uphold their commitments, including the overarching principle of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs: to Leave No One Behind. This is a key opportunity for all participants to review the structural reasons for social, environment and economic injustice and to move towards ending inequalities.
The Global People’s Assembly was started in 2019, and has since grown stronger. The assembly is co-organised by 50 civil society networks. Everyone is invited to participate. To learn more, read the concept note here, and read the Global People’s Assembly 2022 Declaration here.
People’s Assembly 2023 Toolkit
As part of the Global Week to #Act4SDGs, on 10 to 25 September 2023, GCAP mobilises at the SDG Mid-Point to demand an end to poverty and hunger, extreme inequalities, exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, climate change, inflation and the wars – and to demand global justice including universal social protection, tax and debt justice.
Peoples’ Assemblies are
- Organised by communities, constituency groups and wider civil society at local and sub-national level.
- Representatives present their perspectives at national, regional and global levels.
- An avenue for participants to identify their own issues and concerns; analyse the structural causes; discuss and develop a set of demands; and then devise joint steps to address these demands.
To learn more about organising People’s Assemblies and make our voices as civil society stronger, download the toolkit here:
[English] TOOLKIT – People’s Assembly 2023 ,
[Spanish] TOOLKIT – People’s Assembly 2023 and
[French] TOOLKIT – People’s Assembly 2023.
Declaration of the 2022 Global People’s Assembly Download the full declaration HERE. The press release can be downloaded in English, French and Spanish.
Global Justice to Achieve SDGs:
Sustainable Equality for All
Seven years after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals — nearly halfway to the Agenda 2030 Deadline — the visionary promise of social justice and a fair, rights–based, equitable and ecologically–just world for all appears more remote than ever, despite the hard work and best efforts of civil society and dedicated activists across the globe. The political, financial, economic and social architecture — as well as the individuals who lead these systems — is failing us. Rising food and energy prices, loss of livelihoods, climate change, environmental degradation, war and critical gaps in healthcare — including inequities in the fight against COVID–19 — are pushing excluded people to the margins and making our planet uninhabitable. Austerity, the lack of universal social protection, descent–based discrimination and slavery, violence and the deterioration of civic space exacerbate inequalities and exclusion. All the while, elite private interests profit. Youth and old fear for the world we now inhabit and bequeath to future generations, while the rich and powerful use their resources to maintain their privilege. At the current pace, unless there is radical change, the world will not meet its 2030 SDG commitments until 20651 and it will take nearly 300 years to achieve
gender equality. We the People are 1,300 civil society participants from 127 countries representing diverse, excluded and marginalized people, testifying to the current state of injustice as global leaders gather for the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. We have solutions to the current unjust, unequal and extractivist systems and our voices must be heard. This declaration of the 2022 Global People’s Assembly has been developed with the input of more than 30 national and regional people’s assemblies. [The above is the first section of the Declaration of the 2022 Global People’s Assembly which carries the title: Global Justice to Achieve SDGs: Sustainable Equality for All. Read the full declaration available in English.
We invite you to the Global People’s Assembly from 20 to 22 September 2022!
Find the Programme 2022 HERE, it is also available in Español and Français.
Each day has a separate invitation link, all registration links are also available directly in the annotated program available above:
People´s Assemblies on the local and constituency level take place from July – September 2022 leading the bottom-up process toward regional assemblies in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe and culminating in the Global Week of Action from 16 to 25 September 2022.
The Global #PeoplesAssembly is part of the Global Week of Action #Act4SDGs from 16 to 25 September. Thousands of organisations and individuals are active during the week to demand the implementation of the SDGs from their governments. Learn more by visiting the Act4SDGs website. Peoples’ Assemblies are planned in 27 countries by GCAP coalitions – 15 in Africa, 6 in Asia, 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean and 1 in Europe. Learn about how to participate by checking out this People’s Assembly Toolkit. These assemblies organised at the national level will give inputs into the regional and constituency assemblies as part of the Global People’s Assembly. The impact of Covid is still strong in many countries – especially because of vaccine inequality. The debt crisis has led to austerity when increased spending in the social sector is needed. The high inflation of food and energy – further aggravated by the war against the Ukraine – and the increased impact of climate change have resulted in more people living in poverty and hunger than before.
Join #FlipTheScript stunt
Next year, 2023, will be the mid-way point to achieve the SDGs. If we don’t bring radical changes in the policies, we won’t reach them.
Therefore, we call upon all of you to passionately mobilise in the Global Week of Action – let’s globally unite with the FliptheScript Stunt! Find more information on the Stunt here. Invite your community. Feel free to share this information to your circles of influence. We hope to get good outreach and many participants for this important event!
People’s Assembly 2022 toolkit
People´s Assemblies on the local and constituency level take place from July – September 2022 leading the bottom-up process toward regional assemblies in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe and culminating in the Global Week of Action from 16 to 25 September 2022.
The 2022 People´s Assemblies TOOLKIT is available here, you can also download it here. It is also available in French and Spanish.
GCAP mobilises to demand an end to the rising poverty and hunger situation arising out of the COVID pandemic, inequalities, climate change and lately the war and inflation, ensuring free and universal vaccination & social protection linking to Agenda 2030. Hashtags: #PeoplesAssembly #Act4SDGs and #FliptheScript
Global People’s Assembly 2021
The Global People’s Assembly took place from September 21-23 2021. Inputs from the 19 sessions of the Global People´s Assembly and the outcomes of National People´s Assemblies in 28 countries, obtained through bottom-up processes, resulted in a Global People´s Assembly Declaration (also available in Spanish and French). The full recording of the Global People´s Assembly 2021 is available further below, a playlist with clips from Global People´s Assembly 2021 can be found here: The Global People’s Assembly Objectives:
- Provide a platform for people’s voices from around the world that can feature at the forefront of the UNGA Summit – including national, constituency and regional People’s Assemblies from around the world.
- Review the impacts caused by COVID-19. Develop demands and actions – including for the People’s Vaccine within the context of the 2030 Agenda. Discuss the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement and make recommendations.
- Bring the united voice of the Global People’s Assembly to the UN GA, governments and UN organisations
- Strengthen the cooperation between CSO networks for civil society actions and people’s movements
The Global People’s Assembly is based on local, constituency and national People’s Assemblies – in 28 countries:
The Global People´s Assembly was coordinated by GCAP in cooperation with 30 regional and global networks. The Agenda of the Global People´s Assembly can be found here, the recordings in full length are available in the playlist below:
For more information on National People´s Assemblies, visit the main website – peoplesassembly.global, where individuals and organizations were invited to submit additional inputs and where additional resources such as a social media toolkit is available. The main hashtag used: #PeoplesAssembly #Act4SDGs, see also the Trello Board with images. 28 National People´s Assemblies took place in 2021 across four continents:
Asia
Bangladesh – 26 September 2021
National People’s Assembly on SDGs Organised by Noakhali Rural Development Society/ GCAP Bangladesh Download the Agenda of the event here
Organised by GCAP India/ Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA) Download the Charter of Demands here Nepal – 17-28 September 2021 Global Goals Week with People´s Assembly Organised by NGO Federation of Nepal/ GCAP Nepal Download the concept note of the Global Goals Week here Pakistan – 23 September 2021
People´s Assembly on SDGs Organised by Pakistan Development Alliance/GCAP Pakistan Download the narrative report here Philippines – 30 September 2021 People´s Assembly
Organised by the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)/ GCPA Philiipines Read the outcome document here Sri Lanka – 30 September 2021 People´s Assembly
Organised by SUNFO Peoples Movement/GCAP Sri Lanka The charter of demands is available hereAfrica
Ghana – 27 September 2021 People’s Assembly to mark Global Week of Action 2021 Organised by Abibinsroma Foundation/GCAP Ghana Click here to download the final report
National People´s Assembly Organised by NNNGO/GCAP Nigeria Download the narrative report here, the press release here, and an article in a national newspaper here.
Togo – 13-28 September 2021 Assemblies and workshops in the Global Week of Action 2021 Organised by GCAP Togo Download the narrative report here Senegal – 22 September 2021 National People´s Assembly Organised by CAAPOST-2015 Senegal/GCAP Senegal Download the outcome report here and the resulting political position paper here. 
Kenya – 20-25 September 2021 Global Day of Action and People´s Assembly Organised by Ahadi Achievers Empowerment/GCAP Kenya Download the narrative report here. Zambia – 21 September 2021
National People´s Assembly for a healthy, green and just recovery in Zambia Organised by Civil Society SDGs Campaign Zambia/ GCAP Zambia Download the progress report here
Latin America and the Caribbean
Argentina – 23 September 2021 
National People´s Assembly Organised by PAMPA2030/ GCAP Argentina Download the narrative report here El Salvador – 10 & 11 July 2021 National Encounter/Assembly Organised by Enlaces por la Sustentabilidad/GCAP El Salvador Download the report and declaration of the event here Guatemala – 27 September 2021
Assembly to assess SDG implementation in Guatemala Organised by Tzuk Kim-pop/ GCAP Guatemala Download the narrative report here Nicaragua – 28 October 2021 National Assembly Nicaragua Organised by RENICC/ GCAP Nicaragua Download the agenda here and the outcome document here
GCAP Constituency Group
Global – 22 September 2021 People´s Assembly of CDWD Organised by Social Justice DWD Task Force The recording of the event can be found here
2020 People’s Assemblies
#PeoplesAssembly2020
Resources: Toolkit for the 2020 Virtual People’s Assemblies
During the Global Week of Action (18-26 September) People’s Assemblies are being held in:
Asia
- Bangladesh – 26 September 2020
National People’s Assembly Organised by GCAP Bangladesh Date: Sept 26, Time: tbc Contact, Abdul Awal @ awal@nrdsbd.org
- Japan – 25 September 2020
· “Vegan SDGs Cake Event” in “Shinjuku Dialogue”, a cafe and meeting space. Discussion mainly targeting LGBTI communities · Workshop on Japan SDGs College. Workers and small farmers will participate among others. Organized by Japan Civil Society Netowrk on SDGs (GCAP Japan) Date: Sept 25, Time: tbc Contact, Masaki Inaba, masaki.inaba@gmail.com
- India – 24 September 2020
National People’s Assembly & Release of the 100 HotSpots Study Organised by Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (GCAP India) Date: 24 September 2020, 2.30 – 4 pm Indian Time Contact, Annie Namala @ annie@cseiindia.org.in
WNTA thematic people’s assembly on Climate Action Date: 25 September 2020, 11-12 Indian Time
WNTA thematic people’s assembly on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in Indian Context on the occasion of SDG week of action Date: 23 Sept 3 – 4 pm
- Nepal – 25 September 2020
National SDGs Summit (National People’s Assembly) Organised by NGO Federation of Nepal (GCAP Nepal) Date: Sept 25, 2 pm – 4.30 pm Nepal time Contact, Arjun Bhattarai @ arjun@ngofederation.org – see more info below
- Pakistan – 24 September 2020
National People’s Assembly on SDGs Organised by Pakistan Development Alliance (GCAP Pakistan) Date: Sept 24, 10 am Islamabad time Contact Zia-Ur Rehman @ zia@awazcds.org.pk – see more info below
Charter of Demands: National People’s Assembly on SDGs in Pakistan
- Philippines– 24 September 2020
People’s Assembly on SDGs and Human Rights: What now with COVID? Organised by GCAP Philippines Date: Sept 24, 4 – 6 pm Manila Time Contact, Beckie Malaya @ beckiemalay@yahoo.com – see more info below
- Sri Lanka – 26 September 2020
People’s Assembly for SDG fifth Anniversary Organised by SUNFO (GCAP Sri Lanka) Date: Sept 26, 9.15 am – 12.15 pm (Colombo Time Contact, Wije @ wije_srilanka@yahoo.com – see more info below
Africa
- Ghana – 25 September 2020
- Kenya – 25 September 2020
- Malawi – 25 September 2020
- Mali – 25 September 2020
- Mauritius – 25 September 2020
- Nigeria – 24 September 2020 – Nigeria 2020 People’s Assembly Radio Ad
- Senegal – 24 September 2020
- Tanzania – 25 September 2020
- Uganda – 25 September 2020
- Zambia – 25 September 2020 – Charter of Demands & Press Release
- Zimbabwe – 25 September 2020
Regional
- Regional People’s Assembly on Discrimination based on Work and Descent (DWD)– 22 September 2020
People’s Assemblies are also planned in 5 countries in Latin America and 7 countries in Europe.
2019 People’s Assembly
24 and 25 September 2019 parallel to the SDG Summit in the Church Center – opposite the UN, New York
People’s Assembly Declaration – 25 September 2019 – EN | ES | FR | IT | SK
#PeoplesAssembly2019 | #StandTogetherNow
Download the People’s Assembly Program
While Heads of State met on 24 and 25 September 2019 for the SDG Summit to review the progress of Agenda 2030, 22 partners including GCAP organized a parallel People’s Assembly. The People’s Assembly brought together people’s representatives and civil society from around the world to give grassroots and marginalised people a voice. Most importantly, it was a space for all to jointly analyse the structural reasons for the injustices, act and plan for common future actions to create systemic change to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Civil society plays a key role in advocating and implementing much needed change and to work on the structural causes of poverty and inequalities. However, we are being threatened and civic space to work is dwindling. Civil Society must fight back together and reclaim our space. We are at the crossroads, as inequality has risen to unsustainable levels and climate change is causing incalculable damage. We can implement change or continue with the status quo. We are determined to act to save the planet and humanity, particularly ensure that no one is left behind. To galvanise people’s voice across the world, we organised a Global Week of Action from 20 – 27 September together with partners, with joint mobilizations and mass actions across movements & borders for Voice – Equality – Climate and Environmental Justice – #StandTogetherNow. 
The main themes of the People’s Assembly were:
- Civic Space (voices)
- Inequalities
- Climate and Environmental Justice
The objectives of the People’s Assembly were to:
- Bring the “People’s Voices” to the fore at the SDG Summit
- Strategize to reclaim civil society space
- Discuss the implementation of Agenda 2030 and make recommendations for a stronger accountability mechanism
- Strengthen the cooperation with various CSO networks and INGOs for civil society actions and people’s movement
The Political Declaration was approved by the Heads of State on 24 September 2019. The People’s Assembly has taken the opportunity to make an alternative declaration. 2019 Global People’s Assembly Partners:
- Asia Dalits Rights Forum
- FEMNET
- PACJA – Pan African Climate Justice Alliance
- LATINDADD
- Major Group for Children and Youth
- Women’s Major Group
- NGO Major Group
- Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD)
- ActionAid
- Bread for the World, Germany
- Gray Panthers
- CPDE – CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness
- CIVICUS
- Forus
- Global Policy Forum
- TAP Network
- Centre for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)
- SDG Watch Europe
- Heinrich Boell Foundation Washington, DC
- Climate, Land, Ambition and Rights Alliance (CLARA)
- Trust Africa
Coordination:
Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
Financial contributors:
ActionAid, Bread for the World, Heinrich Boell Foundation Washington, DC, VOICE, EU and contributions from several other of the partners.
Contact
To get in contact with us, please email PeoplesAssembly@gcap.global.