EXPERT PANEL AT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DISCUSSES STRATEGIES FOR POVERTY ERADICATION
Press Release
SOC/4394
EXPERT PANEL AT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DISCUSSES STRATEGIES FOR POVERTY ERADICATION
19960523 Importance of Economic Diversification, Education, Among Issues Stressed as Requirements to Combat PovertyPoverty could be tackled by creating new ways of earning livelihood, by increasing labour productivity and by redistribution through fiscal measures, the Commission for Social Development was told yesterday afternoon as it heard an expert panel's formulation of integrated strategies for poverty eradication.
The panel was part of the Commission's special session to discuss ways of implementing the goals of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, which included attacking poverty, unemployment and social exclusion. The panel format was part of the Commission's efforts to open its debate to experts and main actors of civil society in the field of social development.
The importance of diversifying the economy, of education and of training in efforts to combat poverty was stressed by panel participants. The introduction of structural policy measures to make the economy more robust was also stressed and short-term measures for poverty eradication were decried. Governments should look at ways of creating employment and not leave that area entirely to the private sector, it was argued.
A panelist stated that economic growth did not automatically bring employment or reduce poverty, and offered the experience of Thailand as an example. The gross national product (GNP) of Thailand had doubled in the last decade. However, that had not led to the eradication of poverty. In fact, economic growth had widened the gap between the rich and the poor, with an impact on the social and political spheres. The labour market had expanded but a lot of the people did not have the skills required to compete or succeed in it. As a result, nationals of other countries with requisite professional skills were being imported, whereas Thais who lacked requisite skills were going to other countries to work as wage labour.
Addressing the issue of poverty eradication in African countries, another panelist said the solution to their economic problems was to become self-reliant. Disengagement from export crops was essential and they should diversify their economies. Also, efforts should be made to integrate the informal sector into the regular economy.
The need to identify international bodies that would take responsibility for monitoring poverty eradication and social development programmes was emphasized, as was the need for all States, including developed countries, to report to such a body on their poverty eradication plans. The Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization (WTO) should also report to that body, as called for in the final documents of the Social Summit, it was noted.
During the panel discussion, questions were asked by Commission members and by representatives of non-governmental organizations on issues such as the model for involvement of the informal sector in economic growth and the role of the media in poverty eradication.
In reply to questions, one of the panelists emphasized that the potential of small and medium-size enterprises was great, although they needed to be stimulated by governments through measures such as the extension of credit facilities. It was also stated that the major risk in the informal sector was that it often ignored the legality of jobs and the rights of workers, thus the importance of institution-building, both at the national and the international levels. The need for media involvement in strategies for the eradication of poverty was emphasized.
Taking part in the panel discussion were the following: Roberto Bissio, Director, Instituto del Tercer Mundo, Montevideo; Louis Emmerij, Special Adviser to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, D.C.; Valimohamed Jamal, Senior Specialist on Labour Markets and Human Resources, International Labour Organisation (ILO) East Asia Multi- Disciplinary Advisory Team, Bangkok; Pasuk Phongpaichit, Political Economy Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok; Gerry Rodgers, Director, ILO Latin America Multi-Disciplinary Technical Advisory Team, Santiago.
Also yesterday afternoon, the Commission continued its general discussion on strategies and action for the eradication of poverty by hearing a statement by Engin Ansay, Observer for the Organization of the Islamic Conference. He said the organization supported the noble objective of developing strategies and actions for the eradication of poverty. The organization would support a programme approach reflecting national priorities through a range of coordinated interventions in specific social development areas such as education, health and employment generation. Efforts should be made to guard against the tendency to divert all international support towards the build-up of macro programmes and ambitious plans at the expense of projects that might be crucial in a given situation. National priorities should be emphasized within a framework requiring international financial and technical assistance. That approach would be supportive of the role of the private sector and of the non-governmental organizations.
The Commission will meet again at 10 a.m. today, 23 May, for another panel discussion on the following theme: "Meeting basic human needs of all".
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Social Development Commission - 3 - Press Release SOC/4394 4th Meeting (PM) 23 May 1996