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My experience at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) was extraordinary. It was an incredible opportunity to represent the Mary Ward Centre and Crisis in Our City by presenting the policy research I completed on housing justice in Canada. Throughout the week, I presented the research during two UN side events, where I had the chance to speak with NGOs, civil society organizations, government representatives, and people from around the world who are working tow

What does meaningful youth engagement look like? At the 2026 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) Official Side Event, Youth Voices for a Sustainable Future, young people shared their experiences and recommendations for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Mary Ward Centre participated as an event partner alongside international faith-based organizations and civil society groups committed to strengthening youth participation in global conversations.

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, establishing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. With only four years remaining until the 2030 deadline, global progress remains critically insufficient.

Join us for the national launch of Canada's new People's Report in light of the recent World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2).

My name is Eleyna and I am a 15 year old girl activist who wants to make a change in the world! Attending this year’s International Day of the Girl Speak Out at the UN headquarters was a lifetime experience. I came as a representative from Toronto, Canada, for the Loretto Sisters and the Mary Ward Centre, and as a planning member for the Working Group on Girls.

Ultimately, my participation at the HLPF reaffirmed my commitment to advocacy. It strengthened my resolve to confront gendered expectations and to champion inclusive, compassionate spaces where every voice—especially those of women and girls—can be heard and valued.

I am so grateful to have been able to contribute to our shared report! It is especially meaningful for me to share my skills with the work of the Mary Ward Centre as I discern my own vocation, and a joy to use my “researcher muscles” for the first time since finishing my PhD. My work on this included some consulting on methodology and analysis, background research, and writing/editing.

The Mary Ward Centre organized two virtual side events during the HLPF in collaboration with the IBVM-Loreto Generalate NGO to the UN and many other organizations. Recordings of the events are available on The Mary Ward Centre YouTube page.

From July 14 - 23, 2025, the Mary Ward Centre participated in the United Nations annual High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). This year’s HLPF made a deep dive analysis of five of the SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

This year, I had the honor of being invited to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum by the Mary Ward Centre and the Sisters of St.

This event offered community-based perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 1: No Poverty. Through panel pre