SPSSI and the United NationsTHE 16TH ANNUAL PSYCHOLOGY DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS
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SPSSI has been represented as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and has held consultative status with the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1991 and with the UN's Department of Global Communications (DGC) since 1987. While there are many domains of influence at the UN, three in which SPSSI team members participate are:
SPSSI members submit proposals for panels and prepare statements to various commissions to make informed policy recommendations based on psychological research. Two of the commissions SPSSI engages with are the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the Commission for Social Development (CSocD). Generally, SPSSI works in conjunction with the UN by preparing programs and panels on current social issues (e.g., ageing, children’s rights, health, social development). Statements and programs sponsored or endorsed by SPSSI require the approval of its Executive Committee.
SPSSI regularly collaborates with other UN NGOs. SPSSI is also a member of the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations (PCUN), which was founded by SPSSI United Nations NGO Team members Dr. Florence Denmark, Dr. Harold Cook, and Dr. Corann Okorodudu (who also served as its president).
SPSSI's United Nations NGO Team members (also known as "UN Representatives") are: Dr. Harold Cook, Dr. Joseph De Meyer, Dr. David Livert (Main UN Representative), Dr. Corann Okorodudu, Dr. Laurel Peterson, Dr. Deborah Fish Ragin, Dr. Rachel Ravich, Dr. Peter Walker and Dr. Sheri R. Levy. Click here to learn more about SPSSI's UN Representatives.
SPSSI's United Nations NGO Interns are: Yasmin Hussein, Alison Goldberg, Dr. Anni Sternisko, and Laura Lopez-Aybar.
Click here to learn more about SPSSI's United Nations NGO Team Interns.
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) side event 2024: The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) climate justice team hosted a virtual event entitled "Gender-Based Violence and Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions."March 19, 2024, from 10:30–12:30 ET . The event focused on the intersections between climate change and gender-related economic and social injustices. The panelists for this event were Rehana Shaikh (Gender and Social Development Advisor) Pakistan, Erinn C. Cameron, Ph.D. Clinical Ecopsychologist & HBNU Fogarty Global Health Fellow, Laura López-Aybar, Ph.D. Research Professor at Universidad delSagrado Corazón in Puerto Rico, Luisa Ramírez, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario in Colombia, & SPSSI UN NGO Expert Affiliate. [Watch Recording].
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) and American Psychological Association (APA) hosted a virtual event entitled "The Challenges of Data Disaggregation to Eliminate Systemic Racism and Related Discriminations in the Implementation of the SDGs and Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic" in partnership with missions to the United Nations, nongovernmental organizations, and independent experts on the occasion of the July 2022 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The event was moderated by SPSSI President Dr. Linda Silka, and panelists included: H.E. Maritza Chan (Chargé d’Áffaires, A.I. of the Mission of Costa Rica to the UN); Mr. Edgar Vielma Orozco (Director General of Sociodemographic Statistics at Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography); H.E. Xolisa Mabhongo (Deputy Permanent Representative of the Mission of South Africa to the UN); Dr. Mai Phan (Social Policy Sociology and Social Research, Race Data Disaggregation Expert, Toronto Police Services Professor); and Gay McDougall (Vice Chair, UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, International Human Rights Expert). [watch recording]
15th Annual United Nations Psychology Day: As member of The Psychology Coalition of NGOs having consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (PCUN), The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) co-organized the 15th Annual United Nations Psychology Day. The Psychology Day at the United Nations provides an opportunity for psychology to share with U.N. Permanent Missions, U.N. agencies, NGOs and the private sector the activities of psychologists at the U.N. and the role of psychology in addressing concerns of global importance. Psychology Day also introduces psychologists and psychology students to psychology's current and potential involvement in U.N. activities and issues. [watch recording]
World Environment Day 2024: An Inclusive Call to be Involved
Issues in June 2024 to commemorate World Environment Day, which is held on June 5th every year since 1973. World Environment Day is the primary United Nations outreach day for supporting the environment. To mark this year’s event, which has the theme of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, the UN Committee issued the linked statement highlighting five areas for interdisciplinary and international collaboration on specific UN Sustainability Development Goals related to this theme.
SPSSI Urges Tangible Progress to Remedy Climate Injustice Following COP27, 2022
Issued in December of 2022 and authored by members of SPSSI's UN Committee, this statement briefly summarizes international findings related to psychology and climate injustice and highlights recommendations for making tangible progress on remedying these injustices and realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Meeting Mental Health Needs in an Unequal World 2021
A Statement to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2021 initiated by the Psychology Coalition of NGOs having consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and co-sponsored by the following NGOs: SPSSI, European Health Society.
SPSSI Submits Statement to UN on Disparities in Policing, 2021
In mid-May of 2021, SPSSI's UN Committee submitted a statement to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at the United Nations, which was meeting for its 30th session. The statement provides insight into how psychological research can be used to help reduce disparities in the use of excessive force by law enforcement due to systemic racism.
Past SPSSI UN/NGO Statements
The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) welcomes applications from graduate psychology students to serve as interns with its United Nations NGO Team. The position will commence in September 2020 and continues through the end of Summer 2021. Interns will learn about the UN system, and will engage with SPSSI UN/NGO representatives, other UN psychologists and other NGO interns on social issues of interest to the UN community. SPSSI UN interns serve as non-paid volunteers. Click on the link for application details. Applications for the SPSSI UN/NGO Internship Team!
*Applications are due June 15th each year
The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) welcomes applications from psychologists to join its United Nations NGO Team. SPSSI is An accredited Non-Governmental Organization in consultative status at the United Nations with the Department of Global Communications (DGC) formally known as the Department of Public Information (DPI) the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and we’re active with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
SPSSI UN/NGO representatives serve as non-paid volunteers but are eligible for reimbursement of modest transportation and other expenses. They attend monthly UN/SPSSI team meetings (generally the first Thursday of every month) and engage with the Psychology Coalition of NGOs at the United Nations, UN Psychology Day, and substantive NGO Committees. They participate in a variety of UN events, and share information about the priorities of the UN with SPSSI members through reports, newsletter articles and presentations at SPSSI meetings. The appointment is for two years and is renewable for additional terms of two years. There is a review of the new representative’s work at the end of the first year and continuing reviews occur every two years. Click on the link for application details. Applications to become a SPSSI Representatives at the United Nations!
*Applications are due June 15th each year
Guidelines for Representatives to the UN
Commission on the Status of Women
Commission for Social Development
Commission Population and Development
High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
UNAIDS
Commission for Science & Technology for Development
Statistical Commission
Psychology Coalition of NGOs Accredited at the United Nations (PUNCAN)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
The United Nations Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 because they understood that it would not be possible to build a peaceful world if steps were not taken to achieve economic and social development for all people everywhere, and ensure that their rights were protected. The Sustainable Goals cover a broad range of issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment and social justice.
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