PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR SPECIAL SESSION ON WORLD SOCIAL SUMMIT TAKES UP ISSUES OF INTEGRATION, EQUALITY, EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Press Release
SOC/4506
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR SPECIAL SESSION ON WORLD SOCIAL SUMMIT TAKES UP ISSUES OF INTEGRATION, EQUALITY, EDUCATION AND HEALTH
19990520 Poland's Representative Calls for International Instrument to Protect Family; Access to Primary Schooling, Protection of Migrant Workers DiscussedAn international legal instrument should be created to protect and support the institution of the family, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of Poland said this morning, in a meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the special session of the General Assembly that will review implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development.
The special session, to be held in Geneva from 26 to 30 June 2000, is intended to provide the opportunity for sharing and comparing experiences and identifying further concrete means of addressing the 10 commitments of the Social Summit, which was held in Copenhagen in 1995. This morning the Committee took up discussions on the commitments concerning: social integration; equality and equity between men and women; and education and health.
Poland's representative added that current international legal protection of the family was not sufficient. A new instrument should address, among other issues, State and society responsibilities for the family, financing of private and public education, family-friendly tax policies and family rights and housing policies.
On the topic of education, the representative of South Africa said the biggest challenge for education was not in providing increased access to primary and secondary schooling, but in keeping children within the school system. It demanded a multi-pronged strategy. The policy makers everywhere needed to make concerted efforts to develop a core of committed teachers and teachers should not indulge in the paper-chase for qualifications. Instead, there should be an effective evaluation system, and teachers should be rewarded according to their work.
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A number of speakers also discussed the rights of migrants and refugees. The representative of the Philippines said her country placed high priority on the protection and integration of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society, especially migrant workers. Such migrants made a significant contribution to the economic growth of many States and, as their role became more relevant, nations must ensure their welfare and protection.
The representative of Iraq said his country once ranked among the developed countries in education and health services. Now, however, Iraq could not meet its population's essential needs due to the economic blockade imposed in 1991. The United Nations imposed a double standard -- it discussed social development, while its other bodies were imposing sanctions in violation of international law. The Preparatory Committee should study the negative effects of the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations on Iraq.
Statements were also made by the representatives of: Guyana (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China), Germany (on behalf of the European Union), Japan, Bangladesh, Swaziland, Indonesia, Cuba, Morocco, Canada, Syria, Norway, United States, Mauritius, Chile, Algeria, Jamaica, Turkey, India, Iran, Sudan, Ghana, Republic of Korea, Barbados and Zambia. A representative of the Observer Mission of the Holy See also spoke.
The Preparatory Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its discussions on further action and initiatives to implement the commitments made at the Social Summit.
Committee Work Programme
The Preparatory Committee for the 2000 Special Session of the General Assembly on the Implementation of the Outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and Further Initiatives met this morning to continue its consideration of further actions and initiatives to implement the commitments made at the Summit. The focus will be on commitments concerning: social integration, equality and equity between women and men; and education and health. (For background information, see Press Release SOC/4498 of 14 May.)
Statements
SONIA ELLIOTT (Guyana), on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said that, in the context of the feminization of poverty, it was important to address the impact of macroeconomic policies on poverty. She called for the consideration of strategies for the empowerment of women, in particular, affirmative action programmes. At the national level, she called for strengthened institutions that could promote social cohesion. In that regard, special emphasis should be placed on the reform of educational systems to establish a more effective linkage between education and production. There was also a need for sustained investment to enhance social networks, especially for the poor and marginalized groups.
In addition, measures should be promoted to protect the health and rights of migrants and children, she added. In that regard, clear penalties must be instituted for the trafficking of women and children. Efforts should also be enhanced to combat the drug menace. Her delegation supported the efforts of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in combating the menace of illegal drugs around the world. She strongly believed that foreign occupation was an impediment to development and should be addressed. She recognized that investment in social services would lead to the full participation of all people in society. International support in that regard was needed, and the decline in official development assistance (ODA) should be reversed.
HUBERT LINHART (Germany), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated countries, said that social integration was closely linked with other topics, including the eradication of poverty and access to social services. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms were essential prerequisites for social integration. He reaffirmed the call of Copenhagen to all governments to ratify and implement the existing international instruments in that respect. Ensuring universal access to social services was a central goal of social development services.
He said that the Union suggested recommending measures to promote implementation of the 20/20 initiative in interested countries, in cooperation
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with civil society. The Union also suggested concrete measures be recommended to achieve progress in attaining the agreed goals of Copenhagen, especially access to basic health services, to sexual and reproductive health services and to education for all. The focus should be on policies that addressed the causes of deprivation, rather than the symptoms.
The concept of participation should also be applied in the field of social services, he continued. It was also necessary to share good practices on how to establish social protection systems covering risks that could not be mastered by the beneficiaries themselves, ensuring access for people living in poverty and promoting the role of systems of self-help and mutual benefit, including small, innovative schemes. A gender perspective should be mainstreamed in all proposals for new initiatives, and States should strive to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It was also necessary to strengthen cooperation between relevant organizations aimed at conflict prevention and addressing the social consequences of conflict.
YUJI KUMAMARU (Japan) said the aim of the Social Summit was to create a society for all. In order to realize a society for all, it was important to include all peoples and groups in the political and social processes. Through the observance of the International Year of Volunteers, 2001, social responsibility would be enhanced. The role of volunteers should be enhanced, as a crucial component of social development. The special session should encourage volunteer efforts around the world. Also, international cooperation was needed in combating terrorism and other forms of violence. Those issues should remain a matter of priority to encourage social development and enhance human security. He added that the special session should also consider the follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons.
ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) said the centrifugal tendencies pulling societies apart were a result of poverty, marginalization of social groups, weakening of social safety nets, and lack of social equity in the distribution of resources. External factors also contributed. Nations were being marginalized in a globalized economy. Some causes, such as racism, intolerance, violence and crime, existed at both the national and international levels.
How were such forces to be handled? he asked. At the national level, the focus should be on establishing a society for all through social inclusion. International initiatives should strengthen national efforts and should counter the effects of marginalization at the individual, country and regional levels. The tendency towards social disintegration and exacerbated inequality within and among countries had to be reversed.
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In a number of critical areas, he continued, commitments for action had already been made and now had to be implemented. Tangible actions had to be taken to empower women, since women's issues were not just a "fashion statement". Also, education and health services were the critical tools to empower people, build capacity and reduce poverty. Targets should be set in those areas, and civil society should complement State efforts through community-based organizations. Community participation in both design and implementation of strategies was crucial, for when the community had stake, the likelihood of success was highest.
MAJOZI SITHOLE (Swaziland) said it was imperative to make an assessment of what had been achieved and the strategies employed since the Social Summit. The Summit provided the impetus for most countries, especially in the developing world, to elaborate national plans of action and enhance a favourable environment for development. In that regard, it was important to set realistic aims for the special session, thus, ensuring that it would achieve its ultimate goals within a set time frame.
He added that the capacity of countries to fully implement the commitments agreed to at the Summit must be matched by a strong economic capacity. The negative effects which disrupt economic growth, such as slow growth in the world economy, declining commodity prices, natural disasters, and civil strife, were factors that delayed the process of social development. It was, therefore, important to review and strengthen the fight against poverty and ensure a favourable national and international political, economic and legal environment that was conducive to social development.
IRENA BORUTA, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Poland, said that the Committee should reopen the debate on the need to develop a legal instrument on the rights of the family. Current international legal protection of the family was not sufficient, and improved international legal protection should be directed at the family, which helped to unify the community. The new instrument should address, among other things: the issues of State and society responsibilities for the family; the link between social policy towards the family and national economic policy; financing of private and public education; tax policy towards the family; family rights and housing policies; and the question of the family and migration.
The improved international legal protection and support should enable the family to fulfil its functions and secure the needs of its individual members, she continued. Development of any new instrument would have to be preceded by an inventory of existing international legal norms in that area and by extensive research into the policies adopted in particular countries and the existing practice. An assessment of the existing instruments would have to be carried out. Next, a declaration on the rights of the family could
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be developed, followed by the elaboration of a more formal instrument. Her delegation had already initiated action towards promoting family rights within the system of international human rights.
JONI SINGA (Indonesia) said that social integration in his country was essential to its nation-building efforts. Next month elections would be held and an integral part of that process was respect for the rule of law and diversity. In that regard, his country was involved in the ratification of at least eight international human rights instruments. It was clear that social development could not proceed without gender equality. His country had undertaken gender analysis and training programmes in for decision-makers and other members of society. There were also gender-awareness centres around the country for further education efforts. His country had adopted a zero- tolerance policy against violence against women, and there was a law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.
Although his country was in the midst of a financial crisis, it was committed to eliminating illiteracy and improving its basic education services, he said. In March of this year, a programme was launched to improve health services. Its goal was to ensure that all people in Indonesia would have basic health care by 2010.
N. PILLAY (South Africa) associated himself with the statement by Guyana on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. He said that it was necessary to improve the quality of education in developing countries, for the quality of education was critical for both social and economic development. The biggest challenge was not in providing increased access to primary and secondary schooling, but in keeping children within the school system. It demanded a multi-pronged strategy. The policy-makers everywhere needed to make concerted efforts to develop the core of committed teachers, and teachers should not indulge in the paper-chase for qualifications. Instead, there should be an effective evaluation system, and teachers should be rewarded according to their work.
There was also a need to work towards improving linkages between the education system and the labour market to avoid the educated unemployed, he said. The infrastructure should include innovative schools and clinics and the means to finance them. Suitable sanitation and other physical infrastructure should also be provided. Another need was the development of a reasonable strategy for combating HIV/AIDS, which presented a serious threat, and its economic implications were cataclysmic. Governments of the region should accord the highest priority to a massive education campaign on the disease. It was also necessary to bridge the gap between policy development and implementation.
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MERCEDES DE ARMAS GARCIA (Cuba) said that the private sector could and should participate in the development efforts in a responsible way. However, in her country the public sector had great success in implementing social development policies. Cuba had made a number of improvements in health and social services, which include an increase in doctors compared to inhabitants and a reduction in infant mortality rates. There was no illiteracy in Cuba, and nearly all people attended school through the sixth grade. Its social indicators surpassed those of many countries that had more resources than Cuba. Her country had accomplished those goals based on the full participation of the public sector.
NAIMA SENHADJI (Morocco) said the 20/20 initiative needed to be revised and reconsidered, because it did not take into account the provision of all social services. It also evaluated social programmes in a way that did not truly depict a country's efforts. The weaknesses in the 20/20 initiative should be considered during the special session.
LOUISE GALARNEAU (Canada) said that it was always necessary to provide a social safety net to ensure that those with special needs had those needs met. Also, discussions on social integration should take into account the needs of women, who shared most of the responsibility for child care. Gender equality should be taken into account in policies at both the national and international levels. Social development was threatened by instability and conflict, and there was a need for international cooperation to deal with the consequences of that conflict.
ALI AL-KHALIL, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Syria, said that his Government was making significant efforts to improve the living standards in the country and ensure the health, educational and food provision services. At present, the Government was implementing a national plan to integrate the elderly into the life of society. That work was being done in cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in that area of social development. Great efforts were being made to assist the disabled. Special attention was being paid to the promotion of the rights of women and children.
However, the question was how his Government could bring about social integration and social development, as long as deprivation and oppression continued and people had no access to social services, he said. Israel's occupation of the Syrian Arab Golan had led to displacement from the territory, which caused great suffering among the population. Many women had been forced to become heads of family, as wives of detainees. The right to family unification was denied in the occupied territory, and that situation had a negative effect on social cohesion. Syrian Arab citizens under occupation were denied the effects of social, economic and human development.
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Despite the measures undertaken by his Government to guarantee the standard of living, more resources and efforts were needed, he said. The Israeli occupants continued to build settlements and to change the demographic aspect of the Golan. That had a negative effect on social development and integration. Consequently, the foreign occupation must be ended. The conditions should be created that would allow the citizens to return to their property and invest in national resources, to allow for social integration and development for all. MARIANNE LOE (Norway) said that promoting social integration meant providing opportunities for all, including the disabled. The HIV/AIDS pandemic eroded human, social and economic development, and decisive action was of critical importance in that respect. Action was also needed to counteract the social exclusion and discrimination of the infected. Gender equality must be an explicit point in implementing the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.
No investment was more important than investment in primary health and education, she continued. Investing in girls education benefited society on the whole and meant educating the whole family. The 20/20 initiative called for a partnership and for provision of basic social services to all. It was more directly targeted at the poor than many other international initiatives. A number of recommendations had been made since the 20/20 initiative, and Norway proposed to develop measures to promote those recommendations.
KATHERINE SEELMAN (United States) said that her country had increased federal funding for community-based health services, which serve those without the ability to pay. The United States Agency for International Development created a worldwide programme to advance a wide range of education programmes in developing countries. It helped address early childhood education and education for those out of school, among other issues. The United States was also involved in worldwide health programmes that combated infectious disease -- particularly HIV/AIDS. Those worldwide incentives were meant to deepen worldwide awareness of that disease. The international community must redouble its efforts to support child immunization efforts and to combat HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
ANBANADEN VEERASAMY (Mauritius) said the elderly were provided with a number of facilities in his country and the disabled were provided with needed devices, such as wheelchairs. Legislation had also ensured that disabled persons made up a percentage of the work force. There were also measures to eliminate discrimination and all prejudices against women. There had been rapid changes to the health sector to ensure that all people had access to health services in all parts of the country. Such efforts had increased the life expectancy of both men and women. There was, however, a need for more international solidarity to support social development efforts and bring an end to human suffering.
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ALEJANDRA KRAUSE (Chile) said that the Government of Chile had taken action in 1993 for the integration of ethnic minorities, as well as undertaking programmes to promote the development of indigenous communities. A National Committee for the Elderly had been created in 1995, with a focus on nutrition, education and a healthy life for that segment of the population. The Government had also instituted housing and social programmes to integrate those over 60 years of age, thus, reducing poverty among the elderly. Young people, a priority group, had benefited from the creation of a National Institute for Youth. Most of the programmes aimed at that group focused on improving socialization and community living. Regarding gender equality, the National Congress had ratified a constitutional reform last Saturday, stipulating the equality of men and women.
DALILA SAMAH (Algeria) said the machinery to combat social exclusion and help the poorest members of society must be established. States should also strengthen health care services, with clinics located in the neediest areas. Children and young people must enjoy social protection, so that they could be integrated into society. Children should have access to social assistance and health care, and States needed to develop ways to protect young people from the problems of drugs. There was also a need to expand jobs for the disabled by creating micro-enterprises and ensure that their special situations were taken into account in education and training programmes.
FAITH INNERARITY (Jamaica) said that, in a number of developing countries, crime and illicit drugs were a major cause of social disintegration. That trend was also applicable to poor communities in developed countries. A 1997 report of the UNDCP states that the magnitude of the drug problem was a concern in terms of both supply and demand. The money generated from the drug trade was equal to or surpassing such industries as oil, gas and steel.
She added that there must be emphasis on removing the underlying causes of the drug problem and not just treating the symptoms. Drug use came from a lack of expectations and choices. When people had no other options, they invented new purposes in life -- they became frustrated and dropped out of society. Every effort should be made to offer alternatives to marginalized groups, which tended to become involved in drugs. Also, alternative crops should be available to farmers.
ADDUL MUNIM AL-KADHE (Iraq) said his country once ranked among the developed countries in education and health services. Education was free at all levels, including higher education. It had completely eliminated illiteracy, and all Iraqis received free health services and medicine. However, due to the economic blockade imposed in 1991, there had been an increase in poverty and unemployment. Now, Iraq could not meet its population's essential needs.
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Essential human, economic and cultural rights had been destroyed due to the blockade, he continued. Women, children and the elderly were especially vulnerable to the effects of the blockade. The international community was responsible for his country's social and economic problems. The United Nations imposed a double standard -- at one point, discussing social development, while its other bodies were imposing sanctions in violation of international law. The Preparatory Committee should study the negative effects of the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations on Iraq.
YUSUF ISIK (Turkey) said that the development of new products associated with knowledge and information -- such as e-mail and the Internet -- made it necessary to make innovations aimed at preventing social exclusion. Regarding gender equality, one aspect that required further action was the greater participation of women in social, economic and political decision-making. Turkey was deeply committed to gender equality, and had done much to promote the prevention of violence against women. Turkish NGOs had been particularly active in that field. Regarding health, it was necessary to strike the right balance between efficiency and equity in the research and development of drugs.
GAUTAM MUKHOPADHAYA (India), associating himself with the statement of the Group of 77 and China, said that challenges to social integration were both vertical and horizontal. There were challenges of an economic character, such as poverty, and those of a social character, involving other forms of stratification. India's legislature had recently passed a constitutional provision stipulating that 22.5 per cent of jobs be reserved for marginalized segments of the population, as well as those who were disadvantaged and discriminated against. On gender equality, a 1994 constitutional amendment had been passed reserving legislative seats for women at the local, regional and national levels.
MEHDI HAMZEHEI (Iran) said he was not convinced that there could be a single method of social integration and participation. It was incumbent on each national government to undertake social integration and participation, the aim of which -- at both national and international levels -- should not be to eliminate diversity, but to allow different cultures, ethnicities and nationalities to live together in mutual respect. Civil society played a pivotal role in promoting social integration, just as government was responsible for upholding the idea that the rule of law was paramount. Regarding the equality of women, the traditional outlook based on the erroneous notion of the superiority of men over women had ignored the fact that both men and women were valuable components of humanity. Comprehensive and sustainable development was only possible when both could contribute.
SAYDA BASHAR, Minister of Social Planning of the Sudan, said that women were active in the Sudan in both economic and social areas. They had the right to vote and stand for election. They also had the right to equal pay.
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Those rights were guaranteed in Sudan's Constitution. Women were making progress in all areas -- they serve as parliamentarians, local governors and judges. There was also a national plan to guarantee women's participation in several sectors, including education. The Sudan had also been able to keep its women attending schools in the country instead of losing them to foreign schools for higher education. On the issue of health, a national campaign was started to serve all areas of the country. Specialized hospitals and clinics had been set up, and they had a positive impact on the elimination of diseases and the promotion of public health.
BEATRICE ROSA BROBBEY (Ghana) said that, although a lot had been done in the advancement of women, discrimination still existed around the world. Her Government had established scholarship schemes for women, as well as micro- credit schemes, to make them partners in economic development. Governments must act and implement laws to outlaw traditional practices that harmed the health of women and violated their rights. They must also commit to adopting affirmative action aimed at promoting the role of women in the decision-making processes of the State.
EVELYN GARCIA (Philippines) said her country placed high priority on the protection and integration of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society. Migrant workers made a significant contribution to the economic growth of many States. As their role became more relevant, there was a need to look into the welfare and protection of those workers. National efforts to protect them were not enough. The issue of migration called for international cooperation. The special session should examine the issue of migrants, as well as measures to prohibit trafficking.
MA YOUNG-SAM (Republic of Korea) said gender mainstreaming should begin with the closing of the gender gap in primary education. The special session should find ways of mobilizing resources for universal education by the year 2015. Education had proved to be the most rewarding investment for the Republic of Korea. The Korean delegation supported the Group of 77 and China on strengthening the role of the family to enhance social cohesion.
JAMES REINERT, observer of the Holy See, said special attention should be paid to human mobility because that would be a significant characteristic of society in the future. The fundamental human rights of undocumented migrants must be upheld at all times, especially in terms of ensuring their right of appeal against violations of those rights. There should also be concern over illegal trafficking in undocumented migrants. Conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction must include a strong social dimension. There was a need to address the issue of infectious diseases and other maladies that continued to take a heavy toll on human life.
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HAMOND LASHLEY, Minister of Social Affairs of Barbados, said that the registration and integration of persons with disabilities was proving to be a difficult task for his Government. A draft policy on their integration was available to members of the Preparatory Committee, whose comments would be welcome.
DAWSON LUPUNGA, Minister of Community Development and Social Services of Zambia, associating himself with the statement of the Group of 77 and China, said his country had adopted a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the care of affected families. That had been pursued on the premise that every sector, public or private, could play a role in preventing the further spread of the pandemic and in mitigating its impact, especially on the family unit.
Regarding governance, he said, a key initiative in the area of justice delivery was the introduction of alternative dispute resolution. Zambia proposed that alternative dispute resolution be adopted as a justice enhancing measure. Regarding gender equality, some of the most glaring imbalances were in agricultural production and education. While calling for further productive empowerment of women in agriculture, Zambia was also implementing the Programme for the Advancement of Girls Education to counter the high drop-out rate caused by social, economic and cultural constraints.
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