COMMISSION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVES RESOLUTION ON VOLUNTEERING AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Commission for Social Development

Thirty-ninth Session

11^th Meeting (AM)

COMMISSION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVES RESOLUTION

ON VOLUNTEERING AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The Commission for Social Development this morning approved a draft resolution on volunteering and social development, without a vote. In the draft the Commission encouraged States to support voluntary action, by increasing public awareness of its vital contribution to their communities; and by taking general measures concerning mobilization, preparation, training and recognition of volunteers.

By other terms, however, the draft emphasized that support for voluntary actions did not imply support for government downsizing or for replacing paid employment.

The Commission took this action as it met to continue its review of follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen 1995).

By other terms of the draft, which was introduced on 22 February by the representative of Japan, States would be encouraged to establish fiscal and legislative frameworks supportive of volunteering, to undertake research into the various aspects of volunteerism and its impact on society, and to ensure citizens have access to information on opportunities for volunteering.

Governments would be called on, by other terms, to take into consideration the possible impact of general socio-economic policies upon citizens’ opportunities, ability and willingness to volunteer.  The Commission draft would further encourage governments to take volunteerism into consideration in their national planning, and to recognize the contribution of volunteerism to the achievement of social development goals.

The draft will now be presented to the Economic and Social Council for its consideration.

Also this morning, the representative of Benin introduced a draft resolution on the preparation for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family.  If it approves the draft, the Commission will recommend the draft to the Economic and Social Council for adoption.

By the terms of that text, the governments would be urged to view 2004 as a target year for concrete achievements to identify and elaborate issues of direct concern to families.  They would also be urged to set up and strengthen, where

appropriate, mechanisms to plan and coordinate activities of governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations.

By other terms, Member States would be invited to consider organizing activities in preparation for the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family at the national level.

The Commission will meet again at 3 p.m. today to take action on its outstanding work and conclude its current session.

Background

The Commission for Social Development met this morning to continue its review of the follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen 1995). 

The Commission was expected to take action on a draft resolution entitled “Volunteering and social development” which was introduced on 22 February.  It was also expected to introduce a draft resolution entitled “Preparation for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family”.

Draft Resolution on Volunteering and Social Development

By the terms of a 19-Power draft (document E/CN.5/2001/L.4), the Commission would encourage States to support voluntary action for social development by creating a favourable environment -- through:  increasing public awareness of the vital contribution of volunteerism; mobilizing, preparing, training and recognizing volunteers; establishing enabling fiscal and legislative frameworks where they do not exist; and ensuring citizens have access to information on opportunities for volunteering.

It would also emphasize that support for voluntary action does not imply support for government downsizing nor for replacing paid employment.

By other terms the Commission would also encourage governments to take volunteerism into consideration in their national development planning.  It would invite governments to consider all means available for more people to become involved in voluntary action.  In addition, the Commission would encourage United Nations organizations to further support voluntary action.  This would include assisting in the creation of a favourable environment through involving volunteers in their programmes and assisting governments in building national capacities.

The draft is co-sponsored by Andorra, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

Draft Resolution on Preparation for and Observance of Tenth Anniversary of International Year of the Family

By the terms of this draft resolution introduced to the Commission today (document E/CN.5/2001/L.6), the Assembly would urge governments to view 2004 as a target year by which concrete achievements should be made to identify and elaborate issues of direct concern to families.  Those governments would also be urged to set up and strengthen, where appropriate, mechanisms to plan and coordinate activities of governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  The draft was sponsored by 11 Member States.

If it is approved, the Commission will recommend the draft to the Economic and Social Council for adoption, who in turn would recommend its adoption by the General Assembly.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would invite Member States to consider organizing activities in preparation for the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family at the national level.

The text is co-sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cameroon, Chile, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Introduction of Draft Resolution

NICOLE ELISHA (Benin), Vice-Chair of the Commission, introduced the draft resolution on “Preparation for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family” (document E/CN.5/2001/L.6).

Stressing the importance of the draft resolution, she said that the family was the basic unit of society.  The draft aimed to strengthen the voice of the family.

Action on Volunteering Draft

VIVIAN PINER-JOSEPHS, Secretary of the Commission, said the draft contained no budget implications.  

The Commission then approved the draft without a vote, as orally revised.

RUMI YABUKI (Japan) then introduced the draft resolution on “Volunteering and social development” (E/CN.5/2001/L.4).

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