In many countries the macroeconomic situation had already deteriorated before the outbreak of the virus. A vicious circle of debt and austerity policies undermined socio-economic development in many countries.

Many now demand to build back better. But does “building back” really lead to the urgently needed transformational change? What kind of policies and strategies are necessary to ensure that human rights, gender justice and sustainability goals form integral components of all stimulus packages and government responses to the current crisis? How to revalue the importance of care and to rebuild global public services?

These questions will be discussed in this year's report Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2020. It is closely related to the theme of the HLPF 2020. With this virtual side event, we will present preliminary findings to be found in the report later this year.

Brief Statements by

• Roberto Bissio, Coordinator of Social Watch

• María Graciela Cuervo, General Co-coordinator of Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN)

• David Boys, Deputy General Secretary of Public Services International

• Kate Donald, Director Human Rights in Economic and Social Policy at the Center for Economic and Social Rights

Comments by

• Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development

• Stefano Prato, Executive Director of the Society for International Development

• Barbara Adams, President of Global Policy Forum

Moderator/Facilitator

• Bodo Ellmers, Director of Sustainable Development Finance, Global Policy Forum Europe

• Elisabeth Bollrich, Global Economy Expert at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Click here to register

Participants will receive the login details for the web conversation upon registering for this event.