THIRD COMMITTEE HEARS CALLS FOR PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUTH, ELDERLY, DISABLED PERSONS IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Third Committee

4^th & 5^th Meetings (AM & PM)

THIRD COMMITTEE HEARS CALLS FOR PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUTH,

ELDERLY, DISABLED PERSONS IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today stressed that social development strategies must take into consideration all sectors of society, with particular attention to youth and older persons, as well as people with disabilities.  Those were especially vulnerable groups who had significant contributions to make to families, communities and society.

A Norwegian youth representative urged delegations to involve young people in decision-making and protect them in conflict areas.  He reminded them that too many young people were losing hope because of the world social situation.  More than 300,000 children under the age of 18 were currently fighting in armed conflicts worldwide.  It was a disturbing paradox that it was so much easier to raise money for war and military budgets than for conflict–prevention and poverty-reduction, he said.

Close to 40 per cent of the world’s population were 24 years old or younger, noted a youth representative of Sweden.  As the receivers of the generational torch, youth were greatly affected by critical global challenges, and should be responsible agents for substantial social change.  Youth-led organizations could contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the improvement of school systems and efforts towards realizing the Millennium Development Goals.  A youth representative from the Netherlands echoed this sentiment and called upon States to facilitate the creation of National Youth Councils. 

Youth development policies aimed to promote youth employment, as well as housing and health-care support for young families in Azerbaijan, said a representative of that country.  Recent conflict had led to the emergence of new problems facing its young people, including a rise in the number of disabled youth.  The Government had initiated programmes to support young families and to provide employment opportunities for recently demobilized youth.

Youths made up 42 per cent of the country’s population, and policies and programmes targeting them were being given increasing priority, said the representative of Malaysia.  The National Youth Policy had been reviewed to give emphasis to the acquisition of knowledge, development of skills and entrepreneurship, and social interaction.  At the same time, various opportunities were being created, including re-training, life-long education and job placement, to enable older persons to continue to be economically productive and independent and to enhance their sense of self-worth and dignity.

Responding to the youth representatives, the representative of Grenada said the energy and vigour of youth should be combined with the experience and wisdom of age.  Much could be learned from the elderly, as they still had a vital role to play in society.  In this connection, he paid tribute to the grandmothers and grandfathers who had become parents again to care for the HIV/AIDS orphans. 

Because of the rapid growth of the world’s ageing population, it was important to recognize the immense contribution of older persons to their families and communities, said the representative of Myanmar.  Her country recognized the need for mainstreaming the issue of ageing into the development agenda, she said.  Population ageing posed serious challenges for developing countries that required the support of developed countries in order to implement the Madrid Plan of Action.

The representative of the United States said the rise in the percentage of the world’s population over 65 years of age presented serious challenges requiring responses from every Member State.  In the United States, efforts were under way to make changes in the pension and retirement systems, including the social security system and tax laws.  The United States was therefore consulting with other countries on the development of a strategy aiming to balance the welfare of the entire population with the needs of elderly persons.

Stressing that the process of development must be inclusive of all sectors of society, the representative of the Philippines said his Government had encouraged older persons to play a greater role in nation-building and social development.  Similarly, the welfare of disabled people, who had been excluded from full participation in economic, social, cultural and political life, must be protected.

Also addressing issues related to social development were the representatives of Algeria, Bangladesh, Libya, India, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea, Croatia, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Ecuador and the Sudan.

Representatives of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United Nations Volunteers also addressed the Committee.

The Committee will reconvene tomorrow at 10 a.m. when it is expected to conclude its consideration of social development. 

Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) will continue its consideration of issues concerning social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family.

Before the Committee is the Report on the World Social Situation, 2003 (document A/58/153) prepared by the Division for Social Policy and Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. 

The report states that the causes and manifestations of vulnerability have multiplied and changed profoundly over the last decade, including civil strife and the proliferation of conflicts; growing inequalities within and among countries accentuated by globalization; mixed outcomes of poverty-reduction efforts; increased mobility of populations; and changes in family structures. 

The report also stresses vulnerabilities specific to certain groups and the challenges of social inclusion –- an approach that helps to identify barriers that prevent social integration for these groups.  The specific groups that were dealt with include children and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous persons, migrants, and persons in situations of conflict, with gender issues as an overall challenge.

The poor are especially affected by an increase in vulnerability because they have greater exposure to many downward risks -- illness, death, loss of employment, famine -- and are less capable of responding to them, the report states.  Poverty also increases vulnerability indirectly, by fuelling social tensions and undermining the social cohesion needed to pre-empt and respond to emerging dangers.

Stressing the need for policies that address vulnerability, the report puts forward recommendations that include removing employment barriers, promoting social integration and social protection, protecting rights of all members of society, and strengthening international cooperation.  A rights-based approach is helpful at both the national and international levels.  Finally, reducing social vulnerability requires a multi-pronged and internally consistent policy framework, since its causes and effects are multifaceted and interlinked.

For further information on other reports before the Committee see press release GA/SHC/3737 of 6 October.

Statements

ENRIQUE MANALO (Philippines) said there could be no genuine development without social integration.  Social progress could not be achieved without economic growth, and the fruits of economic growth could not be adequately shared without social progress.  He stressed that it was important to recognize the interaction of economic and social policies in order to promote comprehensive policies that targeted both economic and social objectives.

He said the Government of the Philippines had established a National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family that upheld the role of the family as the main caregiver for older persons, youth and disabled persons.  The Government, through the Constitution and the Philippine Plan of Action for Older Persons, had encouraged older persons to take a greater role in nation-building, recognizing that they must be a part of the solution to their problems.  Similarly, the welfare of disabled people, who had been excluded from full participation in economic, social, cultural and political life, must be recognized and protected. In conclusion, he said development strategies must involve all sectors of society. Economic growth must enhance equity through social policies that promoted education, employment, health care and social integration.

FARIDA BAKALEM (Algeria) said the international community had set itself the goal to eradicate poverty, unemployment and diseases.  Every country must take responsibility for implementing policies to this effect.  However, developing countries were particularly vulnerable and required the assistance and solidarity of other countries.  After a decade of terrorism, which had weakened the economy of Algeria, there were beginning to be signs of improvement.  Such improvements were seen in the sectors of construction, agriculture and fishing –- leading to further employment opportunities in the country.  The Government had also been burdened by the consequences of the earthquake, through reconstruction programmes strengthening the infrastructure of the country.  These investments had begun to bear fruit, she said.  In this context, she highlighted the important role played by non-governmental organizations.

To decrease unemployment, the Government had provided grants, she continued.  Micro-credit schemes had also been initiated to assist young entrepreneurs; women had been encouraged to participate in the labour market.  At the beginning of the century, families had faced decreasing birth rates and an ageing population, which in turn had led to poverty and unemployment.  The international community must do its part to come to the assistance of families.  There had already been a cultural and traditional erosion of family values, which affected the social and economic development of the country.  One must not forget the important role played by aged persons in society -- they had vital experiences to share, and in Africa the elderly were caring for the orphans created by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

IFTEKHAR AHMED CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) said that with regard to issues concerning youth, Bangladesh focused on education, training, participation, employment and development.  Bangladesh had initiated the action plan on youth employment in 1978 with the creation of a separate Ministry of Youth and Sports and consequently a Youth Directorate in 1981.  The final National Youth Policy had been approved in 2003.  Bangladesh welcomed the current initiatives of the United Nations system to foster youth employment.  And the Government had targeted programmes for the aged population that included social security and welfare.  Some examples were old age pension, allowance for widows, distressed and deserted women, homes for the abandoned, dispossessed and elderly disabled.  The Government had also introduced “old age allowances” programmes, which aimed at eradicating poverty of rural elderly people.  A total of 1 million people were included as beneficiaries under this programme every year.

He said Bangladesh had adopted a national policy for persons with disabilities.  The Government was working in close cooperation with civil society organizations to provide education, training, economic opportunity and rehabilitation programmes for them.  A Disability Welfare Act had been enacted in 2001 and a special foundation for the welfare of the disabled had also been established.  The international community must continue to strengthen the work of the United Nations on these issues.  It was also necessary that the effectiveness of the Economic and Social Council and its commissions be strengthened.  The United Nations must bring development to the centre stage by placing people at the centre of development.  The United Nations must re-commit to strengthened and effective international and regional cooperation, partnerships and assistance.

AHMED GZLLAL (Libya) said that while the responsibility for development lay with the State, there was a need for an internationally conducive environment.  There were often foreign obstacles hindering development resulting from the actions of developed countries.  Those obstacles included external foreign debt, the blocking of developing countries from developed countries’ markets, the adverse effect of globalization and the imposition of sanctions.  Concern was also raised about many diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, spreading across developing countries, and there was a need for increased official development assistance (ODA), without which developing countries did not stand a chance to achieve social development.

He said developing countries also had responsibilities, including forming a culture that prevented armed conflict and racial and ethnic disputes, and the responsibility to resist the impositions of globalization.  To achieve social development, partnerships were required, not only between developed and developing countries, but also between developing countries themselves, such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).   

Libya valued its youth, and was therefore undertaking programmes for youth employment including training and skill acquisition, allowing the youth to become active members of society, he continued.  Youth were responsible for shifting society into the future, as well as maintaining the efforts of their predecessors.  He further raised concern that the family unit had lost its legitimate form since human values had been eroded.  It was a matter of concern that marriages today looked more like a business relationship than a holy union.    

MUKTA TOMAR (India) said the aims of the World Summit for Social Development were a long way from becoming a reality, as reflected in the findings of the Report on the World Situation, 2003 which noted that 1.2 billion people lived in absolute poverty.  The report’s examination of social vulnerability was overly simplistic, however.  The removal of barriers to vulnerable groups would not resolve the problem.  It was necessary to apply a more comprehensive approach, both at the international and national levels.

She noted that since its independence, India had made significant improvements in conditions related to health, education and employment.  The proportion of those living below the poverty line had declined from 55 per cent in 1973-1974 to 26 per cent in 1999-2000, and literacy had risen from 18 per cent in 1951 to 65 per cent in 2001.  India recognized that policies to reduce poverty had to focus on reducing the vulnerability of the poor and providing them with capabilities to access opportunities, especially to education and health care.

India was committed to providing an environment that would secure the goals of economic and emotional security for the elderly, she said, noting that India expected to have 100 million elderly by the year 2013.  Therefore, the challenges of addressing the needs of elderly persons would require special attention.  India was also actively addressing issues related to its young people, whose contributions were seen as critical in shaping the future of India.  Initiatives involving rural youth had been adopted over the past 30 years, and the tenth five-year plan currently under way focused particularly on vocational training and employment promotion.

MONA RADI(Bahrain) said her Government welcomed efforts to establish a convention on the rights of disabled persons, that would ensure their human rights and dignity.  The rights of disabled persons were human rights, and the department working on this issue provided some basic services to those who had various special needs.  The centres for disabled people were relatively new, the first having been inaugurated in 1971.  Today, the medical care provided by those centres was of a very high level, as had been noted by international experts, and Bahrain had been commended for its initiatives.  The private sector was also encouraged to invest in social service programmes for disabled persons, who were encouraged to attend schools, get vocational training and become part of the labour market. 

Institutions had been established that provided legal and technical services, she continued.  It was noteworthy that two thirds of national centres were linked to civil society organizations in an effort to enhance partnerships.  In addition, access by disabled persons to public buildings and public transport had been guaranteed by the Government.  The programmes for people with special needs also included mobile services to ensure that assistance reached rural areas.  There was a need for cooperation and coordination nationally and internationally on issues concerning disabled persons. 

QALIB ISRAFILOV (Azerbaijan) said his country had pursued a result-oriented policy aimed at economic growth, social stability and high standards of living.  It had initiated programmes to reduce poverty and strengthen social security in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals.  But there was a need to address the negative trends in living standards, unemployment as well as an insufficient minimum wage.

Azerbaijan’s youth development policies aimed to promote youth employment, as well as housing and health care support for young families.  The recent conflict with Armenia had led to the emergence of new problems for youth, including a rise in the number of young people with disabilities.  The Government had initiated programmes to support young families and to promote employment among recently demobilized youth.

He called on the United Nations to pay attention to the social problems of victims of armed conflict and to help them reintegrate into society.  The recent conflict with Armenia had given rise to thousands of internally displaced people, which were a cause of alarming concern.  He appealed to the international community to provide support to help protect and repatriate Azerbaijan’s refugees and internally displaced people. 

FINN MYRSTAD, youth representative of Norway, said that a wise person once said “you have not inherited the world from your parents; you have borrowed it from your children”.  Too many young people were losing hope because the making of joint decisions to reach common solutions seemed difficult and because many people were denied their basic human rights.  Too many young people lived in conditions that deprived them of hope for a better future, and many of those were young people in armed conflict.

He stressed that young people must be natural partners in decision-making.  Youth representatives must be part of delegations in relevant international forums –- not because the youth were future leaders of the world -– but because they were already an important part of society.  Involving youth organizations in Africa had led to better and more efficient ways of increasing awareness regarding HIV/AIDS.  Youth understood youth.  Youth communicated with youth.  This knowledge must be used when decisions were made. 

According to the World Youth Report, more than 300,000 children under the age of 18 were fighting in armed conflicts worldwide, and many of them had been abducted, he said.  Over 2 million children had been killed in armed conflicts during the last decade.  He urged all parties that were making use of children as soldiers to try to solve conflicts peacefully.  States that had not yet done so were urged to ratify and comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Why was it so much easier to raise money for war and military budgets than for conflict–prevention and poverty-reduction? -- this was a disturbing paradox, he said.  All delegations were urged to involve youth in decision-making and care for the youth in conflict areas.  Delegations were also urged to support concrete measures both in resolutions on youth, and in every document, every national policy and every international agreement made. 

DAW MAW MAW (Myanmar) said that with the rapid growth in the world’s ageing population, it was important to recognize the immense contribution of older persons to their families and communities.  Older persons were critical and active partners in society through the care they provided to family members and children whose parents could not afford childcare, and through the countless other forms of work they performed in communities.  Older persons also possessed a wealth of traditional knowledge and survival strategies. 

In accordance with Myanmar’s cultural tradition and social code of conduct, its people had high regard for its elderly population, she said.  Skilled elderly persons continued to lead active lives in society through their involvement in civil societies, voluntary groups, and trade and commerce after their retirement.

Myanmar recognized the need for mainstreaming the issue of ageing into the development agenda, she said.  Population ageing posed serious challenges for developing countries that required the support of developed countries in order to implement the Madrid Plan of Action.

JONAS KLANG, youth representative of Sweden, said that close to 40 per cent of the world’s population were 24 years old or younger.  As the receivers of the generational torch, youth were greatly affected by critical global challenges and could indeed be responsible agents for substantial social change.  Young people were an essential part of the solution –- not the problem.  As working representatives and officials of respective governments, delegations had the possibility of involving youth-led organizations that were engaged in work on similar issues, be it the fight against HIV/AIDS, the evolution of school systems, working towards the Millennium Development Gaols and a sustainable future, or strengthening of the position of women.

The objectives of the United Nations could only be realized if young people’s visions were heard, and use was made of their energy and knowledge, he said.  The United Nations needed to put its trust in young people, both nationally and internationally.  He challenged each and every delegate to work for the inclusion of youth and youth-led organizations, in the General Assembly in the form of youth representatives, but foremost in their own countries, as expert partners in everyday work.  

RUNE SKINNEBACH, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said issues related to ageing, volunteerism and youth were of particular relevance to the upcoming International Conference of the Red Cross and  Red Crescent, to be held in December.  The Federation hoped to see stronger collaboration on those issues among the various United Nations agencies.

He said social development was a core issue underpinning the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  He highlighted the activities of Red Cross and Red Crescent youth volunteers in Afghanistan and Nepal, just two examples out of many that demonstrated what the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement could contribute towards social development.

LAMUEL A. STANISLAUS (Grenada) responded to the youth representatives from Norway and Sweden, saying that he was the only octogenarian in the room.  If only the energy and vigour of youth could be combined with the experience and wisdom of age.  The youth representatives had expressed good ideas that needed the support of the delegates. 

With respect to older persons, he quoted Sir Francis Bacon who said that age was good in four ways “old wood -- the best to burn, old wine -- the best to drink, old books -– the best to read and old friends -- the best to keep”.  There was a lot that could be learned from the elderly.  He added that families were the basis of society, and good family life could lead to good international relations.  His heart went out to the old grandmothers and grandfathers who had become parents again to care for the HIV/AIDS orphans. 

RADZI RAHMAN (Malaysia) said he strongly believed that each country had the primary responsibility and ownership over for its economic and social development.  Therefore, Malaysia had all along emphasized the concept of balanced development as a major feature of its national development programme.  Malaysia’s social integration policies sought to incorporate the disenfranchised into the mainstream of economic and social planning.

Youths made up 42 per cent of the population in Malaysia, and policies and programmes targeting them were being given increasing priority, he said.  The National Youth Policy had been reviewed in 1997 to emphasize the acquisition of knowledge, development of skills and entrepreneurship, a healthy lifestyle, character-building, social interaction, development of smart partnerships and international networking. 

Malaysia believed that the family component in caring for elderly persons was equally vital, he continued.  Since the lifestyles of modern living often required multiple income earners in a household, community-based day-care centres were being established to provide care for older persons during the working day.  At the same time, various opportunities were being created, including re-training, life-long education and job placements to enable older persons to continue to be economically productive and independent and to enhance their sense of self-worth and dignity.

MUNA AL-QAHTANI (United Arab Emirates) said recent reports on human development for 2002 showed that her country was one of the first 50 countries that had achieved high levels of human development.  That was the outcome of national developmental policies adopted by the Government, aiming towards the realization of social justice and security, the development of society, family welfare, protecting children’s rights, respecting human rights, developing human resources and raising the standard of living of all citizens.

The Government had spent vast attention to support the family -– the main foundation of society, she said.  The Government had established laws and regulations to organize family relations and protect women’s and children’s rights.  It had also issued special regulations for working mothers to regulate their maternity leave and working hours.  In addition, annual events and festivals were held to promote family values. 

The Government also believed in the right of people with disabilities and older persons to personal dignity and opportunities to develop their abilities, she said.  It had therefore established special centres for the care and rehabilitation of disabled people to enable them to continue their education and work in jobs suitable to their special conditions.  Following Islamic values and social traditions, the Government had never neglected the elderly.  It had established specialized health, social and entertainment centres and always paid tribute to them in national and international occasions.  It also continued to promote awareness of the value of their experience and knowledge.

KYUNG-WHA KANG (Republic of Korea) said changes in perceptions about the family and the role of elderly persons raised concerns, particularly around the issue of caring for elderly family members.  The concept of the young and economically active taking care of the old and retired was losing ground, and a decreasing number of families regarded it as their duty to take care of ageing parents.  This was especially relevant in the Republic of Korea, an ageing country where the percentage of people over 65 years of age was expected to be over 14 per cent by 2019.  The Government was therefore actively promoting policies to integrate the elderly population into the mainstream of society.

In implementing the Madrid Plan of Action, the Republic of Korea was focusing on ways to expand the economic participation of elderly persons, she said.  Those efforts included a job creation strategy that aimed to create 300,000 jobs suitable for older persons, along with steps to strengthen the traditional welfare provisions for them, such as the expansion of hospitals specializing in geriatric care.  Overall, the Government planned to expand the budget for the well-being of the elderly.

STEFICA STAZNIK (Croatia) said that only a rights-based approach to development, full respect for gender equality and participation of all social groups in decision-making could create a society for all.  Regarding the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, Croatia believed in the importance of ensuring the full enjoyment of all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.  To promote the rights of disabled persons and eliminate barriers hindering their access to participate fully in community life, Croatia had recently adopted the National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities. 

Youth employment was another area where measures must be taken to encourage young people to become active members of society and participate in decision-making and the creation of policies.  In this regard, Croatia supported the effective implementation and follow-up to the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond.  Croatia also encouraged the employment of young people through specially designed projects established within the Croatian Employment Service.  The targets of those projects were to mediate effectively between the labour market and skilled professionals, to provide financial support to the unemployed, to advise on career choices and to facilitate new job creation by participating in local development initiatives.

SICHAN SIV (United States) said the rise in the percentage of the world’s population over 65 presented serious challenges that required responses from every Member State.  In the United States, efforts were under way to make changes in the pension and retirement systems, including the social security system and tax laws. The Government was working to harness market forces and government stewardship to build stronger pension, retirement and elderly health care programmes.  It was also consulting with other countries to assist in developing strategies that aim to balance the welfare of the entire population with the needs of the elderly.

Concerning disabled persons, he said the United States had sought to implement regulations to ensure the improvement of their lives.  It was essential for governments to collaborate, and if such collaboration included the formulation of an international convention, the United States would share its experience with other States in the effort to ensure the protection of basic human rights for disabled people.

Turning to the humanitarian crisis involving trafficking in persons, he said the global scourge of human trafficking called attention to the need to strengthen the institution of the family since children were often the victims.  Damages from the breakdown of the family had also resulted in other social problems, including an increase in violent crime by children, drug abuse among children, teen pregnancy and an increase in the rate of school dropouts.  Next year’s tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family should provide an occasion for every State to review practices that both helped to strengthen the family and weakened the institution.

PAPA LOUIS FALL (Senegal) said the persistence of poverty, diseases and illiteracy hampered progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  There was therefore a vital need to go beyond the present distinction between economic and social policies and ensure that the social dimension was included in all strategies.  Also, social development policies must take into consideration young people and disabled and older persons.  They were an integral part of society and must fully enjoy their status as citizens. 

Senegal attached great importance to education and believed that illiteracy was a true burden hampering the eradication of poverty, he said.  It was the responsibility of governments to ensure that all strata of society learned this basic skill, with particular emphasis on young people. 

Disabled persons had a right to equal opportunities at all levels, and the Government had taken action to eliminate their marginalization, he said.  That included the provision of social and legal services.  The Government had also reviewed the Family Code to improve the status of women in the country.  The Senegalese Family Code was an integral part of the basis of the African Charter. 

Senegal would be presenting a draft resolution on youth employment, and it was hoped that it again would be adopted by consensus.  Young people had a role to play in decision-making on policies on local, regional and global challenges.

ABDULLATIF SALLAM (Saudi Arabia) said the main purpose behind social development was to remedy social problems in order to raise the standard of living and create a structure where society could assert its identity.  Saudi Arabia’s development plans aimed to give its people the opportunities to participate in all aspects of development.  The Government had initiated programmes to lift the standard of living, improve social services and protect society from negative social phenomena that hindered the march towards progress.

Regarding care for the disabled, the Government of Saudi Arabia had given great attention to providing access to rehabilitation and creating employment opportunities.  It had also given financial aid to families with disabled children.

Despite scientific progress and technical advances in the past few decades, the majority of the world’s population still suffered from many social problems, including poverty and disease.  The growing gap between developed and developing countries called for doubling efforts to remove all obstacles to development.  In this age of crisis and tragedy, humanity could only adhere to religious values in its efforts to establish peace and stability for humankind.

ANNA CHOJNACKA, a youth representative from the Netherlands, said young people should be able to contribute to decision-making at the local, national and international levels.  Many young people felt they were not being heard on global issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, school dropouts and youth violence.  She said the vast majority of young people were excluded from discussion of such issues and emphasized the importance of including young people in decision-making and implementation processes.

She called on Member States to pursue a policy of inclusion of youth at all levels, to encourage young people to participate in political life and to facilitate the creation of a national youth council.  This should involve providing financial support and allowing young people to assume the role of official advisers in different fields of policy-making, especially on issues related to the concerns of young people.

Concluding, she called on Member States to include a youth representative in their official delegations to the United Nations General Assembly and other important United Nations gatherings.

B.G. CHIDYAUSIKU (Zimbabwe) said efforts to reduce poverty, increase access to gainful employment and improve the situation of older persons and people with disabilities had been adversely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic that had decimated the economically active section of the population.  As breadwinners died and the number of child-headed families rose, the incidence of poverty had also risen.  In Zimbabwe, and six other countries in southern Africa, social development had also been impeded by the current food crisis -– a result of two successive droughts.  Vulnerable groups such as households headed by elderly persons and by children had been particularly affected.  The Government was taking measures, with the assistance of the United Nations agencies, to develop coping mechanisms for communities to deal with similar situations in the future. 

Land use and ownership had an important bearing on the level of prosperity and welfare of the population, he continued.  Zimbabwe had embarked on a land reform programme to improve the lot of the majority of its population that hitherto had been condemned to poverty, and whose chances of survival were being threatened by over-population, over-stocking, and land degradation.  The programme was largely concluded and had begun to yield tangible benefits to many people. 

ANDREI N. TARANDA (Belarus) said it was of utmost importance that social development remained high on the international agenda.  The Commission on Social Development had looked at national and international cooperation for development and had arrived at agreed conclusions that stressed the need for coherent and comprehensive policies for social development.  He welcomed the recommendations for increased cooperation and partnerships between developed and developing countries, as well as with countries with economies in transition.  The current imbalance in socio-economic development across the world was a source of concern.  It was crucial that the developing countries and countries with economies in transition gain access to the markets of developed countries.

The Government of Belarus had an economic policy aiming towards social development through a social market economy, he said.  The policy included provisions for social protection recommended at many socio-economic forums.  Belarus welcomed the efforts of the Working Group on a comprehensive convention on the human rights of people with disabilities.  There were over 100,000 persons living with disabilities in Belarus, and the Government attached the highest importance to providing equal opportunities for them.  Initiatives included care and recreation centres, social and legal services.

The Government planned to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, he said.  Also, the international community had a responsibility to assist, support, promote and protect the rights of older people.  The number of older people was growing, and that would affect the socio-economic situation of the country in years to come, requiring contingency plans for social protection.

LUIS GALLEGOS CHIRIBOGA (Ecuador) said globalization had not reduced the inequality gap between developed and developing countries, and those inequalities were increasingly evident.  It was impossible to accomplish economic development without social development, and the coherence and integration of social and economic policies were therefore indispensable to achieving social progress. Inequality was the greatest stumbling block to economic growth.

Regarding the vulnerable segments of its population, Ecuador had implemented policies that sought to improve conditions for disabled and elderly persons, he said.  People with disabilities had suffered greatly from discrimination and exclusion from decision-making.  The Government of Ecuador was committed to encouraging the active participation of all segments of society in the country’s social development.

ILHAM IBRAHIM MOHAMED AHMED (Sudan) said that despite all the efforts made by governments, much remained to be done.  Achieving social development required further commitments, both on national and international levels.  There was still a need to alleviate poverty, the basic obstacle to development, and the goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015 must remain the goal of the international community.  It was clear, however, that this goal would not be reached without the assistance of developed countries. 

It was also important to deal with the issue of foreign debt, she said, adding that least developed countries must also be given the opportunity to compete in the world market.  The international community had a responsibility to ensure that a conducive environment was established which allowed the economic development of all.  It was equally important to end the practice of sanctions being imposed unilaterally and to end foreign occupations.

Concern was raised by the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, she said, and the international community had a responsibility to come to the assistance of people living with those diseases.  She outlined the activities that would be undertaken by the Government of the Sudan to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family –- a topic to which the Government attached great importance. 

ROBERT LEIGH, United Nations Volunteers, said the notion that the profile and intensity of voluntary action in a society was a phenomenon deeply affected by social and economic policy, and required strategic approaches to ensure a favourable enabling environment, first arose at the World Summit on Social Development and Beyond in Geneva in 2000.  It was widely accepted that volunteering played a significant part in the welfare and progress of industrialized and developing countries.  Of even greater relevance was that the Summit recognized volunteering as a basic vehicle by which youth, older persons, people with disabilities, families and other social groups participated in the economic and social life of societies. 

He reiterated the hope, expressed by the spokesperson of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, that governments would work together with civil society to build a stronger volunteer-enabling environment.  Volunteerism constituted an enormous reservoir of skills, ingenuity, creativity, and solidarity that must be recognized and supported if one was to see major inroads made into addressing social exclusion and poverty. 

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