THIRD COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON PROGRAMMES FOR DISABLED, AGEING

Press Release
GA/SHC/3574

THIRD COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON PROGRAMMES FOR DISABLED, AGEING

In today’s interdependent world, only a high level of international cooperation in the form of transparent markets and fair rules for trade can eliminate poverty and achieve social development, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard this morning as it continued to consider aspects of social development and the follow-up of the 1999 International Year of Older Persons.

Speaking in his country’s capacity as Secretariat of the Rio Group of Latin American and Caribbean nations, Colombia's representative called for removing the subsidies maintained by industrialized countries. That would allow developing countries to compete fairly with job-creating exports that improved social conditions.

He said political commitments had been made, including at the follow-up to the Copenhagen Summit earlier this year. But political will and determination were not enough. It was time to move from words to action. “We all know the barriers to social development”, he said, “we all know what to do”. The “recipe” for social development in the domestic sphere included democracy and good governance. In the international sphere, it comprised access to markets, fair trade rules and reduction of external debt.

The partnership approach to social development should be revitalized, said the representative of Ukraine. National actions remained paramount, but globalization, liberalization and economic reforms at national levels mandated international cooperation. The United Nations was key to establishing effective mechanisms for cooperation based on non-discrimination, open competition, partnership and mutual benefit. The countries with economies in transition could facilitate the process of world economic integration.

The representative of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia said social development would continue to dominate the Organization's work because of the gravity of problems and the hope that much better results could be achieved. His country continued to be beset by problems beyond its control, although regional efforts through the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe were helping to improve national and regional social situations.

Also addressing the Committee this morning were the representatives of Nigeria (on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing nations and China), Netherlands, Japan, Denmark, Chile and the Russian Federation.

Youth representatives of Denmark and Australia also spoke.

Third Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SHC/3574 4th Meeting (AM) 26 September 2000

In addition, an observer for the International Labour Organization (ILO) addressed the Committee.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. to continue considering questions related to social development and to the follow-up of the 1999 International Year of Older Persons.

Third Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/SHC/3574 4th Meeting (AM) 26 September 2000

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue considering social development, including questions related to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family. It would also consider follow-up to the 1999 International Year of Older Persons. (For background see Press Release GA/SHC/3573 of 25 September.)

S.S. ADEKANYE (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing nations and China, said the five-year follow-up to the World Social Summit, held earlier this year in Geneva, had affirmed that, despite outstanding progress, a large proportion of humanity remained desperately poor. Extreme poverty was indeed an affront to a common humanity. Integrating developing countries into the global economy so they could share in the benefits of rapid technological advances and unprecedented opportunities meant overcoming the obstacles militating against their integration.

Poverty eradication remained at the centre of the national policy agenda of most G-77 countries, he continued. Failure to achieve the desired result was not a consequence of not trying hard enough. Rather, fiscal and budgetary austerity imposed by the international financial institutions left few resources for initiating job creation programmes. Further, globalization in many cases had wiped out gains, as witnessed in the Asian financial crisis and its reverberating effects. Addressing poverty eradication, therefore, required finding a permanent solution to the debt issue. Creditors must remit developing countries' debts to allow for economic renewal. Also, markets in developed countries must become more open and accessible for products of developing countries.

Turning to the demographic revolution of an ageing world population, he said public awareness must be raised to meet the challenges and make policy changes. An ageing population presented health needs. It needed retraining programmes to re-engage the aged so that they were both agents and beneficiaries in productive development. Those issues should be addressed in preparations for the 2002 Second World Assembly on Ageing.

ALVARO TIRADO MEJIA (Colombia), speaking in his country’s capacity as Secretariat of the Rio Group of Latin America and Caribbean nations, said that last year’s special session of the World Summit for Social Development had renewed the political commitment of Member States to the agreements reached at the Social Summit in Copenhagen. But, in today’s globalized and interdependent world, it was not enough to have the will and determination to eliminate poverty and achieve development. What was also needed was a high level of international cooperation, transparent markets and fair and just rules for international trade. In particular, the subsidies maintained by some industrialized countries should be removed to allow fair and loyal competition from the developing countries -- countries whose exports helped to create jobs and improve the social conditions of their peoples.

As for the member countries of the Rio Group, he said that it was now essential to move from words to action. “We all know what the barriers to social development are”, he said, “we all know what we need to do”. If the “recipe” for social development in the domestic sphere included democracy, good government, the end of corruption and universal education and healthcare, it was equally true that in the international sphere, the recipe comprised access to markets, fair trade rules and reduction of external debt.

Turning to the situation of older persons, he said current figures in his region indicated that while the under-15 age group had been growing at a rate of 0.2 per cent, the over-65 population was growing at a rate of nearly 3 per cent. The reasons for ageing of populations in the region were diverse. Progress in the medical field, technological advances and declining birth rates had all been cited. Whatever the reason, the alarm had been sounded and the international community must now be alert to the impact rapidly ageing populations would have on social policy and sustainability. The countries of the Rio Group had developed programmes for older adults and had made particular efforts to include their concerns in policy-making decisions. However, reviewing and tailoring the Plan of Action on Ageing to meet new challenges would be a vital step in efforts to effectively address the problems of older adults.

MARLOU PIJNAPPEL (Netherlands) addressed the situation of young asylum- seekers in a multicultural society. She said the youth representatives at the United Nations were the wind of change because they had the opportunity to be heard. There were many young people, however, who were migrants roaming the globe looking for a safe home. They were under severe pressure to build a new life. An asylum policy for them should differ from that for adult refugees. Once granted asylum, a legal foster parent should be appointed for them. Suitable education should be afforded them. They should get professional help to overcome trauma, and be encouraged to integrate and receive support from national youth non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In addition, she said the native inhabitants’ attitudes in host countries were a concern. "Imagine what it must feel like to run away from an unstable environment and arrive in one where people don't accept you because you are a little bit different!" she said. Racial hatred was never justified, especially among young people, who were the key to a more tolerant society. The young people in host countries should be the wind of change for their elders. She added that her country intended to circulate a resolution on "honour crimes”.

TSUNEKO YANAGAWA (Japan) said that while she was pleased to note that the international community had begun to pay particular attention to the situation of the world’s older persons, Member States must intensify their efforts to deal with the issue at every level in order to address the very special concerns of the ageing. Seventeen per cent of Japan’s population was elderly, she continued, and the Government had long recognized their potential. It had adopted measures based on the concept of “active ageing”, which recognized that the vitality of societies increasingly depended on active participation by older people. That concept therefore fostered economic and social conditions, including information and technological developments, that allowed people of all ages to remain fully integrated into society. By way of example, she said that earlier this year the Government had introduced a new elderly care system so that the responsibility borne by families might be shared by society at large. That had been a particularly important advance in light of the increasing number of elderly in Japanese society.

She went on to say that it was of the utmost importance to respect the rights of persons with disabilities so as to enable them to live their lives more fully. She echoed the view of the Secretary-General’s report that “a disability was something to be overcome, an endeavour to be shared by the person with the disability and society at large.” With that in mind, she encouraged the use of information and telecommunication technology, which would provide disabled persons with greater access to economic, social, cultural and political fields, thus allowing them to participate more actively in society. For its part, Japan was developing comprehensive and systematic policies for disabled persons. Those polices would be based on two objectives: normalization and rehabilitation.

HOLGER KALLEHAUGE (Denmark) addressed the issue of persons with disabilities. He cited the United Nations Standard Rules as the most valuable international instrument in the disability field. The disability dimension should be more effectively included in multilateral cooperative efforts. Three principles were essential for a minority group such as persons with disabilities. They must have equality of opportunity. They must be able to participate and they must be included. The disabled had the same rights as others.

He said the Standard Rules should be revised to give more specific attention to the needs of women and girls, children and elderly persons with disabilities, as well as to those with developmental and psychiatric disabilities. The right to adequate shelter and to development must be included. A decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, healthcare and education, decent work and protection against calamities were not just development goals, they were human rights. That was equally true for disabled people. “Laws alone cannot guarantee human rights, but without laws there are not rights to protect”, he said. Yet that was the situation of most persons with disabilities in the world today.

JEPPE BRUUS CHRISTENSEN (Youth Delegate, Denmark) said young people were a resource and partner in United Nations programmes, and their participation should be encouraged. They were a key to the future in both decision-making and in implementation of development programmes. Being part of the development process, they could ensure programme continuity.

The United Nations system should promote a greater focus on youth, she said. First, more youth delegates should be included in the General Assembly, a policy Denmark had pursued for 25 years. Also, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) should give special attention to youth in its annual Human Development Report.

CARRIE MCDOUGALL (Youth Delegate, Australia) stressed the issue of meaningful youth participation at the national, regional and international levels as an essential element in addressing a range of concerns. She pointed to intergenerational equity as an important component of sustainable development. Young people participating in decisions taken today would pass on the result to the next generation.

To improve young people's participation in decision-making processes, her Government had dedicated a week this year to raising awareness of issues affecting young people. It had also drawn attention during the week to the diverse contributions of young people to their societies. Enumerating other initiatives her Government had taken to highlight young people's views and abilities, she said the way to give young people their appropriate role in making decisions today was to remember that they were not only tomorrow's leaders but also actors in today's world. Young people also belonged to "We the Peoples", she said.

JUAN GABRIEL VALDES (Chile) said that once again the usefulness of a general discussion among Committee members was being questioned. Open debate and discussion were vitally important, as they put on the record commitment of governments to the work of the United Nations. In particular, they allowed for an exchange of experience that might lead to solutions to specific problems. In that regard, the work done by the Organization on ageing, human development and education had proved helpful to governments in shaping and adopting policies. In the case of Chile, United Nations agency reports in the early 1990s had indicated increased growth among elderly populations of the region. It was obvious that this would become an issue that needed to be addressed quickly and directly. Chile had indeed acted on those indicators, and had established a national policy for older adults in 1996. The goal of that policy had been to develop a cultural change for older persons, aimed at achieving a better standard of living as well as equity and solidarity among generations.

Chile, along with a number of NGOs, was presently involved in nearly 20 programmes aimed at improving the social situation of the elderly. Those programmes addressed such concerns as health, social protection and social integration. There was also a particular focus on older persons living in poverty. Discussion and debate surrounding the celebration of the International Year of Older Persons had highlighted several important aspects of ageing that went beyond the generally recognized poverty and health concerns. It was now recognized that the situation of persons over 65 included several special variables, such as the issues of marginalization and abandonment as well as the loss of social esteem and self-worth. The situation of elderly women and those living in rural areas also needed specific attention. In that regard, it was necessary to develop a national plan that would allow better implementation of policies and enhanced correlation of all national programmes already in place, such as healthcare and pension plans, to include other aspects such as continuing education.

NASTE CALOVSKI (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) said social development would continue to dominate the Organization's work because of the gravity of the problems and the hope that much better results could be achieved. Recalling the five-year review earlier this year of the Copenhagen Plan of Action and the Millennium Declaration, he said the time had come to leave generalities behind and move on to practical and concrete efforts in implementing the commitments undertaken by States.

He said the social situation in his country continued to be burdened by factors outside its control. There were negative effects of regional developments, caused by people’s eagerness to pass swiftly beyond the present stage of political and economic transition. Unemployment was a major problem as a result of that transition and of administrative reform. Various measures and programmes had been instituted nationally to address the problem. In addition, the prospect of integration into the European Union was proving to have a positive effect, as was the continued strengthening of the economy. Finally, the regional social situation was improving as a result of the implementation of region-wide efforts through the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe.

KIRILL BARSKIY (Russian Federation) said that by the close of the twentieth century, the international community had realized that the human condition should be at the centre of global strategies for social development. That idea had been reaffirmed by the agreements made at the World Social Summit in Copenhagen and its follow-up special session. Now it was time to implement all those commitments. How such implementation could be achieved would depend on whether the effects of globalilzation, advances in information technologies and medicine and unprecedented global wealth could all be harnessed and consolidated to achieve fair, equitable and sustainable social development in the new century.

Like the international community, Russia had taken many steps to overcome difficulties in the social sphere and to increase the effectiveness of its social policies. One of its main thrusts had been the fight against poverty, particularly among vulnerable groups. Special measures had also been taken to address the needs of handicapped persons. A council had been established to examine ways to ensure equal opportunity for disabled persons; and federal and social programmes had been established to support their specific needs. Russia had also recognized the need for more effective policies for the young. In that regard, the Government had recently started work on a programme entitled “Youth in Russia” for 2001 through 2005.

Turning to the situation of Russia’s more than 30 million elderly, he said that the Government had moved forward with its plans for pension reform, and was adopting social service programmes to address the needs of that vital part of society. He believed that free choice of forms of social activity, and access to resources, could provide a basis for a new international Plan of Action on ageing. He was also pleased to see that issues of social development and ageing were now being discussed with particular reference to countries in transition.

MYKOLA MELENEVSKY (Ukraine) said the Millennium Declaration had affirmed the commitment of world leaders to ensuring a better living for all. A vital concern for his country as a result of the Chernobyl catastrophe was the social rehabilitation of disabled persons. Achieving better standards for disabled people should be a focus of national policy at all times, he said. Legislative measures had been taken to ensure equality, non-discrimination and wide participation for that category of the population in the life of society.

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Like many countries, he continued, Ukraine was experiencing the rapid ageing of its population. A national programme had been launched for devising practical steps to promote older people’s lifelong development and welfare. It included a scheme for increased pension benefits and insurance reforms aimed at eradicating poverty among the elderly.

Overall, he said, the partnership approach to social development should be revitalized. National action remained paramount, but globalization, liberalization and economic reforms at national levels mandated international cooperation. The United Nations was key to establishing effective mechanisms for such cooperation, based on non-discrimination, open competition, partnership and mutual benefit. Countries with economies in transition could facilitate the process of world economic integration.

GARETH HOWELL, Deputy Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) said his organization brought together governments, employers and workers to strive for social development that went hand-in-hand with economic advance. The strong link between the economic and social dimensions of development had been amplified by the fact that the benefits of globalization had not been evenly distributed between or within nations. The traditional dichotomy between economic and social policies often impeded good policy choices. For instance, there was often little prior analysis of the social impact of economic polices in spheres such as macroeconomic stabilization, structural adjustment or the transition to a market economy. Not only did that lead to excessively high costs, it could eventually, through social conflict, undermine the policies themselves. Also, the direct economic benefits of social policies needed to be better understood, as relevant social polices could bring substantial economic benefits.

On the issue of ageing and employment, he said that the ILO’s Older Worker’s Recommendation of 1980 addressed prevention of discrimination in employment, increased social protection and preparation for and access to retirement. Demographic realities were promoting a fundamental reappraisal of the role and importance of older workers. Earlier assumptions, such as the idea that older workers were less productive and frequently not adaptable to changes in the workplace, were now being challenged. The ILO was committed to promoting universal and guaranteed retirement income, reflecting needs and conditions in different parts of the world.

The ILO had also undertaken programmes to help disabled persons overcome obstacles to their full participation in the labour market, he said. Worldwide project work included community-based rehabilitation, job placement services and assistance to Member States in developing national action plans. He also highlighted the importance of youth employment, saying it must rest on a solid foundation of intergenerational solidarity, ensuring social and economic development for all generations.

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