"Sustainable development is at the top of the list. This is critical to empowering people – to eradicating poverty, lifting billions of people from poverty, generating decent jobs, expanding education, and protecting our fragile planet from this ever-warming temperature." United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message for the Vienna Community, 16 February 2012

The United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN) provides a global platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices in social development from around the world.

UNSDN launched a call for stories on “People’s Empowerment” last year. The objective was to promote the priority theme of the Commission for Social Development on “Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all” and to support the three core issues of social development namely: Poverty eradication, social integration, full employment and decent work for all.

UNSDN trusts that major social challenges of our time can be solved only with the full participation of people at all levels of society. More than 150 stories have been received. We would like to thank everyone who submitted their stories.

The six winners are:

1. “Empowerment comes in full article”

2. “Florence and the machines – How the Rural Prosperity Initiative is helping rural-women achieve wealth and equality in Zambia”

3. “From our thoughts, to our voice, to everyone’s hearts”

4. “On Bun Cheang: a small private entrepreneur serving his community”

5. “Plastic Caps for Wheelchairs – Kosova Cap Project”

6. “Runway-Walking for Equality”

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

“Empowerment has many meanings. I think ultimately it is about people and the human potential that is within us all,” Daniela Bas, Director of UNDESA’s Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD).