ICUUW at the UN High-Level Political Forum - Lee Boeke Burke

ICUUW delegation at the UN HLPF with a representative from Centrul FILIA, a Romanian women's rights NGO (in the middle)
ICUUW delegation at the UN HLPF with a representative from Centrul FILIA, a Romanian women's rights NGO (in the middle)

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Report on UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

NYC, July 10-17, 2023 
Lee Boeke Burke 

As a newbie to UN meetings/events/programs, I often felt a little overwhelmed (especially during the lead up to the HLPF.) but I believe I managed to really get the gist of how things work at this UN event and how in some ways the HLPF differs from other UN happenings. It was obvious that people who had much experience had learned the ropes!  So I feel like I have a greater handle on how the UN functions and the ways it can be dysfunctional. 

Although it is discouraging to learn that the 2030 SDGs are only about 12% realized now, in most sessions participants spoke to the way we needed to step it up….and highlighting the youth as they did this HLPF seemed a necessary positive idea. And there were some very impressive youth speakers. There was also a lot of focus on the importance of good quality data and how to make it trustworthy. And, of course, the importance of leaving no one behind! 

I am amazed how well the US media has managed to ignore the SDGs….and with the exception of our IWC group and a few liberal Catholics, the WMG mornings were peopled by women from around the world other than those from the US…although it was a lot easier for us to get there! It seems to me that the SDGs should seem like highly admirable goals to UUs…worthy of their attention and support! 

Some of my most memorable HLPF experiences… 

  • the session on menstruation and how far Spain and some African countries have come to educate (girls and boys), destigmatize and support girls and women around issues related to their menstruation.
  • the late day side event that focused on partnerships…very impressive.
  • several of the main room forums.
  • The bilateral meeting at the Romanian Embassy.
  • the morning WMG sessions.
  • spending time with you all.
  • and watermelon.

Finally I was happy to leave NY more hopeful about the state of the world…or at least some of the world citizens I met during my HLPF week. Garrison Keillor has a great quote about looking out over a valley at night and seeing all the campfires…. There is a lot of work to do…we need a lot of campfires…