THIRD COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Press Release
GA/SHC/3465
THIRD COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
19981006 Participation and Inclusion of Elderly and Youth Required To Create Equitable Society for All, Speakers StressThe need to invest in youth, because they are the future, and to care for the elderly, as they are a source of inspiration and guidance, was stressed by speakers this morning, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its consideration of social development questions, including youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family.
Young people were the pillars of the future, the representative of Uganda said, stressing that investment in youth, particularly in education, was crucial because "what we give them today, we give posterity". The representative of the Sudan said young people were the main engine in the development process, and their participation in society was vital. Drawing attention to the situation of the elderly, he said that it was from them that society derived its moral standards.
Noting the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Norway's representative said access for young people to human rights education was vital. Too many were unaware of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. He asked the United Nations to produce a compendium on existing youth rights already included in United Nations human rights instruments.
Old age was a time when people were reminded of their gifts, their talents and the wealth of knowledge and experience that they could share with others, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See stated. Senegal's representative said Africans believed that when an old person died, it was like a whole library had burned. Thus the importance of the International Year of Older Persons as it restated the role of the elderly, highlighting the need for their inclusion in society.
Youth and the elderly were important groups of society that required particular attention, said the representative of Venezuela. Social agendas should be designed around measures and programmes aimed at an equitable
Third Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
society for all, as a stable and permanent peace required justice, which was most genuinely expressed as social justice.
Statements were also made this morning by the representatives of Denmark, Trinidad and Tobago (on behalf of the Caribbean Community), Netherlands, Ukraine, Panama (on behalf of the Rio Group), Philippines, Ecuador, Pakistan, Nigeria and Russian Federation, as well as by a representative of the International Labour Organization.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 7 October, to continue its consideration of social development issues.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue consideration of social development, including questions related to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family. (For background information, see Press Release GA/SHC/3464 of 5 October.)
Statements
HOLGER KALLEHAUGE (Denmark) asked what had been implemented since the General Assembly adoption of the 1993 United Nations Standards Rules with regard to Persons with Disabilities. The Special Rapporteur, Bengt Lindqvist, and his panel of experts had done an excellent job with a very limited budget, based exclusively on voluntary contributions from Member States. Denmark had donated $100,000 for the continuation of the Special Rapporteur's efforts.
The Commission on Human Rights' fifty-fourth session had adopted, on 9 April this year, an important resolution on the human rights of persons with disabilities, he said. The text recognized that any violation of the fundamental principle of equality and any discrimination or other negative differential treatment of persons with disabilities, inconsistent with the United Nations Standards of Rules was an infringement of their human rights.
To celebrate the International Day of Disabled People, the International Disability Foundation, based in Geneva, would be publishing a World Disability Report on 3 December to promote awareness about persons with disabilities, their rights, their needs, their potential and their contribution, he concluded.
BENTE PEDERSEN (Denmark) said that youth were not alike, rooted as they were in different cultures, religions, and political and economic circumstances. They were impatient, idealistic and had a lot of energy. Excluding them created frustration, but if young people were included in the democratic processes, they could contribute to development.
That was very important, since surveys showed that persons set their values in their young years, he said. Positive, as well as negative values were settled very early in life and were difficult to change later on. "If we really want to develop a democratic and tolerant global community, youth is the key", he stressed. He cited the Third World Youth Forum of the United Nations, held in Braga, Portugal, which had made a number of recommendations to the United Nations, to give high priority to the human rights situation of young people by monitoring and reporting on violations of their human rights and identifying areas where young people were particularly vulnerable.
Archbishop RENATO MARTINO, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, said a general consensus was emerging about democracy in politics and in a market economy, but another consensus still needed to be forged in the social field. At the same time, there was a fuller appreciation of the link between human
Third Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
rights and freedom. The Holy See attached great importance to the outcome of the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development, and hoped that the commitments assumed there would be faithfully implemented.
He also applauded the launching of the International Year of Older Persons. Old age was a time when people would be reminded of their gifts, their talents and the wealth of knowledge and experience that they could share with others. The Holy See had also participated in the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, a meeting focused on the future generations of the world and those who would inherit the goods, as well as the problems that may be left to them.
The United Nations must renew its recognition of the sacred dignity of all human life, especially the most vulnerable, he said. It was in the environment of the family that respect for rights and dignity was first learned, and the family was the first defence against the troubles of the world. He called for a renewed international consensus on the essential role of development assistance. Without a renewed commitment to direct investment flows, market access and the level of assistance promised at Copenhagen, there could be no real hope for progress in human development.
FRED BEYENDEZA (Uganda) said that the goal of eliminating poverty was very difficult for every Member State to achieve. His country's policies focused on human resources development, industrialization and the service sector, the modernization of agriculture, and education for all. The youth were the pillars of the future as "what we give them today, we give posterity", he said. Unfortunately, the conditions they lived in did not prepare them for the challenge. In Africa, there was HIV/AIDS, homelessness, deprivation of education, hunger and disease.
Uganda emphasized the role of the family as the core of society, which provided a safety net for all ages in Africa, he said, adding that because of poverty, it was hard to cope now. That had given rise to a new phenomenon of street children. If educated and fed, the youth could work and contribute to society. In 1997, Uganda had launched a universal primary education programme, which had had overwhelming response, increasing enrolment in primary school from 2 million to 5.7 million.
Ugandans had been empowered with their inclusion in the decision-making process, such as in the spending of taxes, he said. That had involved people from the grassroots level and up and had helped to build capacity. As a result of that approach, in the last 12 years industry had increased by 15 per cent per annum, and agriculture grew by 6.3 per cent annually. Yet, much remained to be done and measures such as reducing the debt burden could help. He called for the United Nations to continue monitoring social development targets so they could be reached.
Third Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
YVONNE GITTENS-JOSEPH (Trinidad and Tobago), speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community, said the primary aim of social development should be the promotion of social integration and participation of all people in society. It required placing people at the centre of development, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals. Responsibility for social development policies rested with national governments, but must be undertaken with the cooperation of civil society.
The financial crisis in the world was severely affecting social structures and leading to growing vulnerability and the marginalization of individuals and groups, having a destabilizing effect on social integration, she said. Young people were faced with special problems and uncertainties. The Braga Action Plan identified priority areas to address the concerns of youth, including education, employment, hunger, poverty and health. She thanked the Government of Portugal for hosting the two youth conferences this summer, and said that Member States of CARICOM had launched many programmes to alleviate problems afflicting young people in their countries and to promote youth participation in national development.
Longevity was one of the greatest achievements of the century, but the ageing of the world's population had caused unprecedented challenges, she said. Women were living longer than men, and the situation of older women needed special attention. Economic security for older women was critical. Countries in the Caribbean region were actively involved in preparations to celebrate the International Year of Older Persons next year. The aged were most vulnerable to health challenges. The rapid growth of the aged in the Caribbean population required innovative strategies. The Council of Human and Social Development of CARICOM had developed an integrated approach to planning in order to develop comprehensive services for the elderly.
She said the family was the most fundamental social unit in providing support and operating as a primary agent of social integration for youth, the aged, and persons with disabilities. Socio-economic changes throughout the world had influenced family life and structure. Many support mechanisms were no longer available, and the family was in crisis. It was important to develop family-sensitive programmes, and CARICOM Member States were attempting to provide support systems to assist families in overcoming the many social problems that confronted them. ` DAG REIDAR STODLE SEIFFERT (Norway) said the Braga Youth Action Plan and the Lisbon Declaration on Youth Policies and Programmes issued in Portugal this year provided important guidelines for the United Nations system and national governments. Noting the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said access for young people to human rights education was vital. Too many were unaware of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. He asked the United Nations to produce a compendium on existing youth rights already included in the reports adopted by the General Assembly and United Nations human rights instruments.
Third Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
Youth issues were cross-sectoral and should be mainstreamed into all levels of decision-making, he said. They should be given a higher priority in the United Nations system. The participation of youth in the development of democracy was central in the documents that came out of Portugal this summer. Norway had sent youth representatives to the General Assembly for almost 30 years. The next generations would be even more affected by international events than those in the present, and a better organized international community would be required to meet the needs of the future.
INGRID DE BONDT (Netherlands) said that whatever group young people belonged to, they all were on a quest, seeking their own ideas, their own personalities and their own ideals -- in short, their identities. But, they were often victims of prejudice and discrimination, which made it difficult for them to participate in society. Not being accepted by others was often the experience of a young person of a minority group speaking his or her own language.
Social integration could never be achieved if young people could not be themselves, she said. The first step was to recognize everyone's right to enjoy and express their own culture, as stated in article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. States were required to act in accordance with the relevant international instruments and to amend their national laws accordingly. In that regard, the Braga Youth Action Plan had been drawn up at the Third United Nations World Youth Forum to focus on the importance of intercultural and interreligious learning. The views of young people should be heard and youth policy and policy on minorities should reflect them.
MYKOLA MELENEVS'KY (Ukraine) said the impact of the current global economic crisis was being felt in Ukraine, leading to many problems for its people. The Government was taking urgent measures to ensure social protection of the most vulnerable of its population, and was introducing aim-oriented assistance through the establishment of a system of special services in the administrative divisions.
Another factor leading to problems in Ukraine was the ageing of the population, he said. With a sharp reduction in the birth rate, his country was not able to achieve a simple reproduction of its population. Observance of the International Year of Older Persons would help to better understand the problems of the aged and find new effective approaches to solve them, both at national and international levels. Preparations for the Year were under way in Ukraine. A "Health of Older Persons" decree had been issued by the President of Ukraine last year, and in July this year, the National Committee for the International Year of Older Persons had been established by the Government.
MARY MORGAN-MOSS (Panama), speaking on behalf of the member countries of the Rio Group, reaffirmed that their Governments were dedicated to formulating
Third Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
common policies and strategies for social development programmes for vulnerable groups within their societies.
There was no ideal economic system, she said. Many persons were living in poverty in developing countries, and even in the developed countries there were areas of great poverty. Yet changes could not be forced, they should be the result of education and debate. To reduce their vulnerability, the poor must be able to overcome limitations and establish sustainable undertakings, breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.
The Rio Group had participated actively in the Commission for Social Development, and was pleased that the Commission was working with the Commission on Sustainable Development to come up with strategies for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, she said. The Rio Group was made up of democracies. Its Governments recognized that everyone should have equal rights, even the most vulnerable members of society.
Turning to the many problems facing young people, she said youth policies, particularly policies on education, needed to be given government priority. The Governments of the Rio Group had participated in the August Conference on Youth in Lisbon. The Lisbon Declaration should serve as a guide to national governments in developing policies on youth, and young people themselves should participate in the formulation of such policies.
LINGLINGAY LACANLALE (Philippines) said that the care of the elderly lay with the family, and this would continue despite many changes. By the year 2000, the population of older persons -- above 60 years of age -- would be approximately 5 million, an increase of almost 2 million since 1995. Thus, her Government had taken important legislative and institutional measures to ensure that the welfare of the elderly was promoted.
All those programmes, however, rested on assumptions of a robust and growing economy, she went on. Though less affected than its neighbours, the Philippines had experienced a sharp increase in the number of unemployed, from 2.5 million in June last year to 4.3 million this year. Inflation had risen from 4.6 per cent to 9.9 per cent. The Government's revenues had gone down. The currency had devalued to cause a huge deficit in the budget. All that resulted in reducing the Government's social spending. Nonetheless, her Government supported a new culture of ageing as a long-term goal which would look at older persons as agents and beneficiaries of development and seek to strike a sustainable balance between supporting dependency and investing in the continuing development of older persons.
With regard to youth, she welcomed the recently concluded World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon.
ILHAM IBRAHIM MOHAMED AHMED (Sudan) said social development was linked with peace and stability, and his Government was therefore striving to solve
Third Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
the conflict in the south of the country. Consequently, it was heeding international calls for a ceasefire.
The participation of young people in society was vital, he said. Young people were the main engine in the development process. The Government of the Sudan supported youth activities in many domains, including cultural and intellectual areas. Noting the importance of education, the Government had increased educational opportunities and established universities in each state of the Sudan. It was also working towards the eradication of illiteracy, and had expanded primary education in all areas of the country.
The situation of the elderly also required utmost attention, he said. It was from the elderly that society derived its moral standards. In the Sudan, the elderly enjoyed a privileged position, and were respected by society. That attitude was inspired by Islam, which exhorted obedience to both parents and respect for the elderly. For the Sudan, the family was the nucleus of society, the primary root of the child, which was the pillar of the future. The Government had therefore adopted policies for facilitating marriages and given particular attention to the rights of the family.
MONICA MARTINEZ (Ecuador) said that longevity, the increase of 20 years, represented the biggest challenge of the next millennium. That was also true in developing countries. The International Year of Older Persons required the commitment of all Member States and of the United Nations. Despite the relative youth of his country, it was enthusiastic about the theme -- "Towards a society for all ages" -- and was giving it the due focus.
With private and public institutions and non-governmental organizations, Ecuador was developing measures to help the elderly and to include that group in its policies, she said. It was welcome that the Lisbon Declaration and the Braga Youth Action Plan had dealt with youth in the context of social development. LYDA APONTE DE ZACKLIN (Venezuela) said her country had designed a social agenda around measures and programmes aimed at an equitable society for all members of society. Stable and permanent peace required justice, which was most genuinely expressed as social justice. Youth and the elderly were important groups of society that required particular attention. A Venezuelan national youth employment programme offered an alternative to young people who were excluded from educational programmes. Such policies were designed to lead to the integration and development of young people. Venezuela was also carrying out programmes for the elderly, she said. The programme of geriatric care facilities provided daily food, therapeutic care and other facilities for the elderly. There were 41 units functioning in different areas of the country. Educational courses were also offered in many cities, so that elderly people could be included in the economically productive sector. The concept of a society for all was being considered from all its aspects in Venezuela.
Third Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
IBRA DEGUENE KA (Senegal) said that social issues were at the heart of international politics. The proof of that was in the financial crisis in Asia. Not one sector was spared from the globalization of the world -- neither young people, women, nor older persons. Thus, this unprecedented problem had to be attacked at the global level, and he called on Member States to implement the 10 commitments adopted by the Social Summit and to participate in the "Copenhagen Plus Five" event.
He also expressed appreciation of the Secretary-General's report on preparing for 1999 as the Year of Older Persons, to restate the role of the elderly in society, which must remain a society of inclusion. Among Africans, when an old person died, a whole library was burned, it was said. The Year offered opportunities to realize all the United Nations principles and international action plans on ageing. But resources had to be increased, particularly to help developing countries in that regard.
He congratulated Portugal on the holding of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth and the adoption of the Lisbon Declaration. The achievement of social development would have an impact on civil, social and cultural life, strengthen society, alleviate poverty, entail fertile and ongoing dialogue and synergy among States and non-governmental organizations to implement the Copenhagen objectives. In the world of globalization, it was important to consider the social dimension in financial challenges. Fresh additional resources should be mobilized and the elimination of poverty should be given the highest priority.
MUNAWAR SAFED BHATTI (Pakistan) said that the disparity of the world's richest and poorest had further widened, as the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) 1998 Human Development Report showed. For example, 20 per cent of the population of the world's highest income countries count for 86 per cent of total expenditure on consumption, while the poorest 20 per cent shared a small portion of 1.3 per cent. Only a concerted action by the international community could initiate a position change. In that regard, the outcome of the First World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth Affairs in Lisbon and its outcome were very important, he said. Pakistan laid special emphasis on quality education and professional training to the youth to prepare them for an active role in society. In its eighth five-year plan, more than 5.72 million additional jobs would be created to meet the increasing pressure on the employment market. That would continue in the ninth five-year plan. Turning to the Year of Older Persons, he said Pakistan had already initiated a public awareness campaign on what was described as "humanity is coming of age". Older people were a source of inspiration and guidance rather than a burden in Pakistani society; thus, the family had to shoulder the main responsibility for older members of society. His Government also provided incentives such as old age benefit schemes, including old age pension, and Dar-ul-Ammans (safety houses) for old people without care-givers.
Third Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
IBRAHIM GAMBARI (Nigeria) said Nigeria, as a country which had a lot of respect and regard for the elderly, was concerned by the neglect of older persons, especially in developing countries, where deteriorating economic conditions contributed to the adverse and worsening situation of older persons.
Nigeria had implemented many programmes, in particular the Family Support Programme in response to that global trend, he said. The Family Support Programme generally facilitated the initiation of supportive programmes that would further promote and improve the welfare of the most disadvantaged groups in society.
The focal point for the preparation of the International Year of Older Persons in Nigeria was the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, he said. The majority of older persons worldwide were women. It was imperative that global activities during the Year endeavoured to give due consideration to the peculiar problems faced by them.
ANDREI NIKIFOROV (Russian Federation) said social development was a vital issue today. His Government was aware of the need for reforms to make the economy socio-oriented to counter the fall in the standard of living of its people. Mechanisms, far from perfect, were being put in place to protect workers, families, veterans, and to reduce the gap between social groups.
The strategic aims of the Russian Federation were determined by social reforms up to the year 2000, such as the programmes for youth, children, the elderly, the family, and State and society, he said. Problems in those areas were still not solved, it was important that besides internal and national efforts, the international community combined efforts to help tackle them, especially in the case of transitional economies.
In combining the efforts of the international community in social dimension, many results had been achieved, he said. The General Assembly should give new impetus to the alleviation of the problems of the young, the disabled, and the ageing. They should be provided equal opportunities. The Russian Federation had set up a special committee to look at that. Welcoming the results of the Youth Conference in Lisbon, he said more efforts were needed to implement the results of the Copenhagen Summit, adding that non-governmental organizations had an important role to play.
STEVEN MILLER, a representative of the International Labour Organization (ILO), said the ILO had actively participated in the conferences on youth that had been held in Portugal over the summer. It recognized that the question of youth unemployment was intricately linked with the question of social security and protection for older people. That stemmed from the realization that provision of productive employment for youth laid the foundation for the integration of older persons into society, both through the provision of social security for today's older citizens and active retirement for tomorrow's.
Third Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/SHC/3465 4th Meeting (AM) 6 October 1998
The ILO was working towards a new convention to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, which was expected to be adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 1999, he said. A resolution adopted at the Conference in 1998 gave youth employment high priority. The resolution advocated that an international strategy be drawn up for youth employment, disseminating best practice information and research on employment initiatives for youth.
The ILO was also concerned with the situation of older workers and the elderly, who deserved social security and protection after a productive working life, he said. The ILO was active in the field of social security. Many countries were faced with the need to reform their old-age pension systems, or even to establish new ones. The ILO would therefore provide assistance to its membership concerning alternative schemes, the political and social process of reform, and the adaptability and suitability of the various options to the circumstances and traditions of each country.
* *** *