To broaden social participation and amplify new voices, an unprecedented G20 Social meeting will bring together civil society organizations and popular movements on August 20 in Rio de Janeiro. The event will also see the launch of the G20 Social digital platform, integrated into the government's Brasil Participativo online platform
On August 20, social movements from across the country will gather at Fundição Progresso in Rio de Janeiro from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to discuss and systematize proposals for the G20 Social Summit. Registration for the meeting can be completed via the form here at until August 12, 2024.
During the event, three plenary sessions will focus on key G20 priorities: combating hunger, poverty, and inequality; promoting sustainable development (across economic, social, and environmental dimensions); and reforming global governance.
This is the first time an open people's forum is being held within the G20 process, engaging not only civil society organizations that typically participate in the forum's discussions but also grassroots social movements. This initiative will bring the perspectives of local communities, community leaders, grassroots associations, peasant leagues, territorial youth, and other grassroots movements into the G20 dialogue.
"This is an extremely important moment for the G20, as it will not only broaden the representativeness of the discussions but also democratize the debates and increase participation in the discussions shaping the G20 Social Summit. It will provide access to those who were unable to engage in technical working groups and engagement groups," explains Minister Márcio Macêdo, coordinator of the G20 Social.
The preparatory meeting for the G20 Social Summit is an initiative of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic, with support from the City Hall and the State Government of Rio de Janeiro.
Brasil Participativo
On August 20, the program will contemplate the launch of the G20 Social's digital environment, which is integrated into the Brazilian Government's social participation platform, Brasil Participativo. The platform will be available for the population to contribute online with proposals for the G20. It will be adapted to receive international contributions with the addition of trilingual digital environments (Portuguese, English, and Spanish).
Brasil Participativo will also serve as a database for documents and materials elaborated by civil society. Between August and October, in addition to the public consultation process, the platform will promote surveys about the G20 priority axes.
An innovative track
The G20 Social Summit preparatory meeting is yet another innovative and inclusive agenda carried forward by the Brazilian presidency in the G20 Social track.
Since Brasil assumed the G20 presidency, it has introduced new initiatives, including cross-cutting actions by engagement groups and meetings between social actors and G20 authorities.
In the forum's 25 years of history, the establishment of a space for civil society's effective participation represents a concrete advancement. Before this, social participation did not include the possibility of taking part in decision-making processes such as agenda negotiations. For the first time, the Brazilian government enabled the integration of the G20 countries' societies in global geopolitical and financial discussions.
The themes and proposals presented during the preparatory meeting will be systematized into three final documents. These will later be unified in a synthesis report that will guide the agenda of the G20 Social Summit, scheduled for November 14, 15 and 16, 2024- the three days preceding the world's largest economies' Leaders' Summit.
What: G20 Social Summit preparatory meeting
When: Tuesday (August 20)
Venue: Fundição Progresso, R. dos Arcos, 24 - a 50 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Registration: Registration for the meeting can be done until August 12, 2024 through the form available here.
Observation: Open slots are available for social movements. To ensure broad and effective participation, it is desirable to consider factors such as gender equity, ethnic-racial diversity, regional and territorial diversity, income, and cultural diversity.
