IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING COPENHAGEN COMMITMENTS STRESSED BY SPEAKERS AS THIRD COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

7 October 1998

Press Release
GA/SHC/3466

IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING COPENHAGEN COMMITMENTS STRESSED BY SPEAKERS AS THIRD COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

19981007 Committee Hears Several Calls For Action To Eradicate Poverty, Create Jobs And Promote Social Integration

The mountain of world social problems, prevailing mainly in developing countries, required concerted and coordinated action both at national and international levels, the representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning as it continued its consideration of social development issues.

He said the commitments made in the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, in 1995, of poverty eradication, full employment and social integration, were still far from being implemented.

The representative of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia said the severe social crisis facing many countries should force the international community to strengthen its resolve to pursue the Copenhagen agreement more resolutely. It was more constructive to discuss how to resolve the problems of poverty and unemployment, than to engage in lengthy analyses. The issue was not a lack of normative acts or agreements, but of relevant and actual policies.

The problems of poverty, unemployment and social integration were so great that they could not be quickly solved, said the representative of Belarus. The international community must cooperate to find innovative ways to approach the commitments made in Copenhagen. The technical facilities were in place, "all we need now, are deeds". The United Nations and the international community should work together towards social development, he said, calling for support for countries with transitional economies that were carrying out radical social and economic reforms.

The representative of Ghana said poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy still dominated the lives of a greater proportion of the world's population, most of whom lived in the developing world. The cause was the inequitable

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international economic system. Debt burden and debt servicing obligations of the third world, especially Africa and the least developed countries, compelled those countries to divert resources which otherwise could have been used for social development.

The representative of Portugal said the first World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon 8-12 August), had been an innovative and successful experience of partnership between the Portuguese Government and the United Nations. It had allowed the sharing of experiences and best practices in search of new solutions and more appropriate answers related to youth issues.

The concept of youth empowerment was based on the recognition that young people throughout the world were disproportionately affected by the trends of unemployment, poverty, poor health conditions and HIV/AIDS, as they lacked information and skills to deal with them, said the representative of Botswana. The youth of today were the leaders of tomorrow and they would shape the society that would be inherited by generations to come.

The representative of India said the link between youth and unemployment underlay a number of critical concerns relating to young people, and was key to poverty, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, crime, violence, terrorism and other forms of politically motivated violence. The unemployment of young people was a major challenge to social integration which was among the primary objectives of the Copenhagen Summit.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Nepal, Argentina, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Iran, Morocco, Republic of Korea, Yemen, Slovakia, Malaysia, Malta, Israel, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Monaco.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 8 October, to conclude its discussion of social development issues. It is also scheduled to begin consideration of crime prevention and criminal justice, and international drug control.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue its 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

KHENTHONG NUANTHASING (Lao People's Democratic Republic) said the commitments made in the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995, of poverty eradication, full employment and social integration were still far from being implemented. The mountain of world social problems, that prevailed mainly in developing countries, required concerted and coordinated action both at national and international levels.

His country had identified eight national priority programmes, including food production, stabilization/reduction of shifting cultivation, commercial production and infrastructure development, he said. It had also pursued a social development policy aimed at creating an enabling environment for vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized people in rural and remote areas.

One issue of increasing concern was the problem of youth, he said. Since the adoption of the World Programme of Action for Youth, the policies and programmes undertaken by many countries had proved effective in improving the economic and social well-being of young people, and the Lisbon Declaration on Youth adopted by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Portugal in August was another important source of inspiration. His Government was actively involved in the formulation of national youth policies designed to upgrade the education, health and employment of young people and to develop them into good citizens.

SUPRABHA GHIMIRE (Nepal) said teeming millions dwell in dire straits; employment, social exclusion and disintegration staring in their faces, especially in developing countries. It was necessary for the international community to contribute their share of efforts and resources to the alleviation of global poverty as part of an urgent agenda for the twenty-first century. Nepal welcomed the commitment of the international community to eradicate half of world poverty by 2015 as well as the General Assembly decision to convene the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developing Countries in the year 2001.

Youth was both the agent and beneficiary of change and the Lisbon Conference had identified and broadened the areas of communication and cooperation among youth worldwide, she said. The international community should continue to provide viable strategies to effectively address the problems and concerns of older persons. Nepal had initiated a modest

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programme of rehabilitation and financial support to the disabled and elderly persons to promote social integration and cohesion.

RICARDO BOCALANDRO (Argentina) said the present social picture was the result of the inadequacies of the industrial structure. The world faced major challenges -- the sharp reduction of unemployment, eradication of poverty and elimination of social imbalances. Argentina had increased its policies towards those goals, and had achieved successes such as improvement in the employment situation and the situation of women in society. The present global financial crisis could give rise to an opportunity change. Social inequity was not a result of the market system itself, but a sign that the system needed to be reformed.

Given the gradual acceleration of the ageing of society, it was necessary to lay the foundation of a society for all ages, he said. The ageing of societies required national and international attention. Civil society should also pay attention to the problem. In Argentina, the emerging new family patterns had led to the introduction of programmes designed to help vulnerable groups, including the elderly and the poor. Investments in people were essential if social policies were to move the Argentine State forward.

JACK WILMOT (Ghana) said poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy still dominated the lives of a greater proportion of the world's population, most of whom live in the developing world. The cause for that was the inequitable international economic system. Debt burden and debt servicing obligations of the third world, especially Africa and the least developed countries, compelled those countries to divert resources which otherwise could have been used for social development.

Ghana had fashioned programmes to preserve the traditional position of the aged, he said. Efforts were being made to promote multi-generational relationships and to create opportunities for the aged to participate in socio-economic life. Extension of credit facilities and training were important contributions to the implementation of the principles and objectives of the Social Summit. Also important was the emphasis on individual life courses, the need for family care for the aged to be supported by formal provision of health and social services. Speaking about youth, lack of employment opportunity in rural third world had forced youth to migrate to big cities to look for greener pastures. In accordance with the Lisbon Declaration, Ghana was considering a draft national youth policy aimed at empowering youth to contribute significantly towards the country's social and economic programmes for sustainable development.

NASTE CALOVSKI (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) said the focus of social development was at the national level, but international cooperation in the field was increasing and becoming more important. The role of the United Nations was of paramount importance, and should be that of a

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leader, coordinator, promoter of a better life, and alleviator of social difficulties. The severe social crisis faced by many countries due to the present financial turbulence and other factors, should force the international community to strengthen its resolve to pursue the Copenhagen outcome more resolutely and in a more concrete manner.

Risks and uncertainties had multiplied, and the dangers of social marginalization had increased, he said. It was more constructive to discuss how to ease and end the problems of poverty and unemployment, than to have lengthy analyses of them. The problem was not a lack of normative acts or agreements, but relevant and actual policies that should truly influence development in a continuous manner. The concept of a society for all ages should be promoted. His country tradition was to consider older persons, not as a problem of the family or of the society, but as the most important part of the population. They were the natural teachers of the younger generations.

ABDALLAH BAALI (Algeria) said that social questions should be addressed as articulated by the Copenhagen Summit. In fact, there was a new sense of urgency, needing common solutions, as gaps within and between countries increased. The international economic system was dysfunctional because its unbridled globalization had affected everyone. Globalization had increasingly led to impoverishment and exclusion.

Algeria respected the elderly and the family as a melting pot where personalities were shaped, he said. National measures were in place to promote national solidarity, the family, and the youth, disabled and the aged. National social associations and national organs were studying and researching those issues and formulating appropriate programmes for families, such as institutions for neighbourhood activities, for underprivileged groups, and other solidarity measures. A major concern was youth. Seventy per cent of his country's population were less than 30 years of age. Their needs were immense in health, education, and leisure. Education and training were allocated one-third of the state budget, since schooling was free and compulsory. Further, article 59 of Algeria's Constitution guaranteed survival for people without strength or ability to look after themselves.

TLEUZHAN SEKSENBAYEV (Kazakhstan) said that over the last few years, the social strategy of Kazakhstan had been taking place in the context of deep changes in its society. It had prepared a number of measures intended to reduce the problems in the social and economic spheres, giving particular attention to the problems of youth, the elderly and families. He welcomed the launching of the International Year of Older Persons, noting the positive shift of opinions in regard to the elderly. It was important to find specific concrete means for implementing the goals of the year. Kazakhstan had worked out a programme that provided for complete coverage in care for elderly people, and had set aside funds to carry out that policy.

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The analysis of social problems in Kazakhstan also led to consideration of the disabled, the majority of whom were elderly, he said. It was important to establish policies for the protection of the disabled, and Kazakhstan was working towards such policies. To increase awareness of their problems, it had set up a day for the disabled, the second Sunday in October. It was also setting up industries where disabled people with specialized skills could work, and was working to increase access in general for disabled persons. However, for economic reasons, there were a number of serious obstacles to carrying out those tasks in the country.

MEHDI DANESH-YAZDI (Iran) said that comprehensive protection and support for the family, as recognized by the Copenhagen Declaration, required provision of the necessary political, socio-economic and cultural environment at the national level. Despite scientific and technological progress, there was a lack of humane care for the elderly and the disabled. The United Nations was a proper forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences to protect and support the family institution.

In Iran, inspired and exalted by the teachings of Islam, older people did not suffer from isolation and neglect, he said. They were a source of inspiration and guidance, and the family took main responsibility for their care. The Government had expanded assistance for those needing it through welfare association.

The role of youth was very important, he said. Like other issues before modern society, the next century belonged to them, he said, welcoming the Lisbon Conference and its outcome. The Lisbon Declaration was reflective of the common understanding throughout the international community on issues related to young men and women. If those human resources were not properly nurtured and developed, they would not be able to shoulder their responsibilities. Education was key to their empowerment. In Iran, literacy rates had increased for the 11 to 29 age group to 92 per cent. More than 57 per cent of young men and more than 43 per cent of women were receiving higher education.

YAMINA BENNANI (Morocco) said the creation of an environment fit for social development must be founded on the concept of human rights. Over the past 10 years, economic growth in Morocco had not brought benefit to the population as a whole. For the coming five years, Morocco had established a national plan of social adjustment, aimed at the improvement of conditions in rural societies, in particular, to relieve unemployment and the effects of poverty.

Young people would be particularly challenged in the new century, she said. Morocco had implemented many policies that would help address the social impact of the changing society on youth. One example was a policy to encourage young entrepreneurs, providing loans and helping them to set up

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their own businesses. The ageing of world societies also brought with it many new challenges. In particular, special attention must be given to the problems faced by older women. In line with both national and international recommendations, Morocco had worked out programmes for the elderly, based largely on family policies.

SUH DAE-WON (Republic of Korea) said that his country did not consider the new demographic trend to represent a loss or weight to its society. Instead, it viewed it as a way to utilize the lifetime experience and knowledge of a significant part of its population. The creation of jobs was one of the most desirable solutions. Also, a more comprehensive and integrated approach was needed to satisfy the problems of hunger, health, housing and other basic needs of old people.

Given the success of the human development index (HDI) and the gender development index (GDI), he called for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to explore the feasibility of an ageing-related development index (ADI) to be included in the next Human Development Report. Culturally, his country still maintained a strong family tradition of supporting its elders. At the same time, his Government offered a broad range of benefits, including medical insurance and old age pensions. Last year, the "Welfare Law for Older Persons" was amended to further broaden its health and medical coverage. A similar law to promote employment of older persons provided substantial incentives to private companies to employ older people.

NORIA AL-HAMAMI (Yemen) said social development encompassed humanitarian questions of importance to both developed and developing countries. She called for cooperation among all countries, and with the United Nations, to make it possible to create realistic mechanisms to work towards social development. In accordance with its limited resources and capabilities, Yemen had established policies of social welfare to alleviate poverty and improve conditions for its people. It was providing services for vulnerable groups to provide a life with dignity for its citizens, particulary children, the elderly and the disabled.

Yemen had introduced policies to generate employment, particularly for the able poor, and to raise awareness of the problems facing vulnerable groups, and to increase training and rehabilitation for them, she said. The Government had set aside funds for the implementation of such policies, but limited financial resources were hampering the implementation of its development programmes. Civil society was playing an important role in assisting in the implementation of such policies. She thanked non-governmental organizations from many countries, especially from the Netherlands, Germany and Japan, which had been particularly helpful, for their work.

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EVA KIMLIKOVA (Slovakia) said ongoing changes in the Slovak social system, in the spirit of transformation from state paternalism to a socially fair society, were directed towards promotion and development of the social and economic rights of its inhabitants. One of the priorities of social policies in her country was the care of the elderly. The main aim was to retain their self-sufficiency, longevity in their own families and communities, and the maintenance of their dignity. Slovak activities towards the International Year of Older Persons included a focus on media policy, education, science and research, and social and economic conditions.

The theme "Towards a society for all ages" should not overlook the fact that many countries had a large proportion of children and young people in their population, she said. The world's youth made up approximately one-fifth of the society, and investments in youth by a society were essential to the achievement of sustained economic growth and development. Slovakia had implemented state policies focused on advancing a partnership with youth, to support their independence, responsibility and readiness to participate in the activities of society. About 300 civil associations were also active in work with children and young people in Slovakia.

AMIHAMZAH AHMAD (Malaysia) said that all the commitments contained in the Copenhagen Declaration were part of his country's well-established and broadly supported policies and programmes. About 29 per cent of his Government's public expenditure had been allocated for the social sector within its five-year development plan. A Social Action Master Plan had been put in place to implement those programmes and activities within the context of its national social agenda.

Where the major social development goals of eradication of poverty, social integration and increased employment were concerned, Malaysia had lowered the percentage of absolute poverty from 60 per cent in 1970 to 13.5 per cent in 1990, he said. Despite the slowdown of economic growth, the target was to bring it down to 5.5 per cent by 2000. It had ensured that the preparation of the entire population for the later stages of life became an integral part of its social and economic development policies. Steps had been taken to maintain strong family ties. Offspring were encouraged to take care of the elderly by providing them with tax relief for the medical expenses of their elderly parents. Besides, the Government had provided homes for the elderly who were poor and had no dependents. It had also contributed to the establishment and reconstruction of four homes for the elderly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

ANTON TABONE (Malta) said the elderly should have a role to play within society, and everyone must lend an ear to the experienced advice and wisdom of the elderly. Old age was not a disease, but a phase of life that required care, respect and love. Malta had instituted policies that included providing home care facilities that would allow the elderly to remain living in familiar

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surroundings, the setting up of day care centres so the elderly could remain active within their communities, and rehabilitation services to provide the best possible health care. The Government was also discussing reform of the pension system that would provide a safety-net for the elderly.

Malta was contributing over $250,000 a year towards the International Institute on Ageing (INIA), which was set up jointly between the United Nations and Malta, he said. The Institute served as a bridge between countries for the collection, exchange and dissemination of data, information and skills on all aspects of ageing. It promoted technical cooperation in network-building and the establishment of focal points for training needs and training-related activities. Over the past 10 years, INIA had conducted training courses for participants from virtually every developing country in the world. The time had come for the United Nations to give INIA a more formal status in the light of the need for such an institute to the Member States.

MAMATA BANERJEE (India) said that the Lisbon Declaration was an important document that identified the key priority areas for attention, and provided for the full participation of youth in decision-making and in the life of society. But, there was an area that needed urgent attention, namely, the extremely gloomy picture of the world economy that emerged from the deliberations of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. this week. The link between youth and unemployment underlay a number of critical concerns relating to youth and was key to poverty, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, crime, violence, terrorism and other forms of politically motivated violence. It was one of the primary objectives of the Copenhagen Summit.

On the issue of older persons, she said they were not merely beneficiaries, but also agents of development. Also, security in old age derived directly from the security of an individual's working years. Even in a millennium which began with a third of the population over 60 years of age, the traditional roles assumed by the elderly were mutating. The acceleration in the number of the ageing carried consequences for the economies of nations in terms of social costs expended upon them and the significant returns they provided in the context of savings and expenditures. "We see age not as a reward or a liability but simply as a part of the exultation of the larger freedom to which the United Nations Charter pledges", she concluded.

IGAR GUBAREVICH (Belarus) said the main aim of the social policy of Belarus was the creation for every citizen of conditions that would enable him, through his own enterprise, to provide for himself and his family. In order to solve the problems entailed in the transition from the old system, programmes of state support for families bringing up children, poor families, large families, the disabled, and other vulnerable groups had been instituted. Support for older persons was a particular concern. Belarus had adopted a plan for the training and introduction of measures within the framework of the International Year of Older Persons.

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The international community still had far to go in the work towards social development and the implementation of the commitments of the Copenhagen Summit, he said. The United Nations and the international community should work together towards social development. The international community should also support countries that had transitional economies and that were carrying out radical social and economic transitions. The problems of poverty, unemployment and social integration were so great that they could not be solved in the near future, but the international community must cooperate to find innovative ways to approach them. The technical facilities were in place, "all we need now, are deeds".

ERELLA HADAR (Israel) said that for people with disabilities, the law was the sole safeguard. Measures on the equal rights for people with disabilities had been passed to ensure that they would live a life of respect, honour, and equality. Commitment to those ran deep in the history, heritage and culture of Israel. But more than 10 per cent of Israelis lived with disabilities -- physical, mental, or cognitive. Further, 70 per cent of those with severe disabilities were unemployed.

The law sought to uphold the principle that people with disabilities were equally entitled to public services that could be made available, she said. For example, a person with a disability was entitled to public transportation that was accessible and suitable for his or her needs and available at frequent times. That included access to stations, ports and airports. The law also prohibited discrimination in hiring, employment conditions, promotion, training or professional education, dismissal or severance pay, benefits given, payments and pensions. "Discrimination" was defined as the failure to carry out the adjustments required by the special needs of a person with disabilities. It was illegal to publish an advertisement for employment or refer to vocational training in a way that discriminated against people with disabilities.

ANTONIO MONTEIRO (Portugal) expressed his gratitude to all participants in the Lisbon Conference. The Conference had been an innovative and successful experience of the partnership between the Portuguese Government and the United Nations. The Conference had provided an opportunity for a wide exchange of views on the problems and challenges faced by all countries. It had allowed the sharing of experiences and best practices in search of new solutions and more appropriate answers related to youth issues. It had been an important contribution, a step further to implement the World Programme of Action for Youth.

Two months after the holding of the Conference, it was premature to try to evaluate its outcome, he said. Portugal considered that the next session of the Commission for Social Development, in February 1999, could provide an opportunity to organize a panel of experts as a first measure to follow up on the Conference. He was convinced that important decisions would be taken next year on the role to be assumed by the United Nations regarding the recommendations and commitments adopted in Lisbon.

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RIM YONG CHOL (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said that to achieve social development meant getting rid of all manner of social inequality and social evils so as to let all people lead an independent and creative life with equal status and rights. In short, it meant allowing people to have stable jobs and to play a role as genuine masters of society, enjoying all social benefits, including public health and education.

Only when younger generations were growing into social beings, sound and noble in morality through education and instruction, would it possible to free them from all sorts of crimes and social evils, he said. It would make them fulfil their duties as the main motive forces in social development. The future of social development was not related to material wealth. Rather, it largely depended on how social policies were carried out. In that connection, his Government urged international financial bodies to pay special attention to increasing financial and technical assistance for the developing countries.

SUSAN MPE (Botswana) said the majority of Botswana's population was composed of young people, which was a significant and distinct group in the centre of a rapidly changing society. Young people were experiencing a range of problems that needed special attention and support if their capacity to contribute to the future development of the country was to be enhanced. In Botswana, youth empowerment strategy was part of a broader national initiative on citizen empowerment and community-managed development.

The concept of youth empowerment was based on the recognition that young people throughout the world were disproportionately affected by the trends of unemployment, poverty, poor health conditions and HIV/AIDS, as they lacked information and skills to deal with them, she said. Youth empowerment was therefore the cornerstone of the Botswana national youth policy. The youth of today were the leaders of tomorrow, and they would shape the society that would be inherited by generations to come. JACQUES BOISSON (Monaco) said that the Princess of Monaco had spoken of providing special additional security to the ageing, by giving them greater comfort and making it possible for them to lead an independent life as long as they could. To those beyond the age of seventy, besides financial assistance, the Government provided home services such as meals at home, and the Princess Grace Hospital Centre provided medical care at home so that older people could avoid difficulties related to hospitalization. In accordance with the theme "Towards a society for all ages", Monaco had planned conferences related to health, financial and legal problems, he said. Initiatives were being made to raise the awareness of children. Numerous school competitions and athletic events were being planned for 1999. At the core of the Government's principal concerns was the improvement of the living conditions, especially for the elderly. The elderly, who represented a wealth of knowledge and experience, could take a significant role in upkeeping the language of Monaco, since they knew the language best. To improve the life of older people was not enough; they must remain active and contribute to the progress and development of society.

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